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chazan

chazan

9.9
A person who leads the singing of prayers in a synagogue
  • noun
  • /ˈkhäˌzän/
translation icon : jazán
  • As the chazan, he guided the prayers with a strong and melodic voice.
  • Naomi Chazan

Examples

  • The chazan led the congregation in lively singing during the morning service.

  • When he finished, the president rose, came towards him, and said only: "Tonski, if you wouldn't have left here, you might have become a great chazan!"

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The man was a Chazan, a religious man.

  • I wanted the board of this shul where I was a young chazan...

    Fiction book (1998)
  • When the president found out, all he said was: "Either you sing in a cabaret or you stay chazan in the shul!"

    Fiction book (1998)
  • That little chazan who used to chant here phoned me from somewhere or other.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The chazan's deep knowledge of the traditional melodies enriched the worship experience.

Synonyms

cantor
vschazan
69 7.7

Person who leads singing in a synagogue or church during services

focuses on leading singing specifically within a Jewish synagogue rather than churches
hazan
vschazan
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A person who leads songs and prayers in a synagogue, often singing alone

leads singing in synagogue without implying official title or solo role
hazzan
vschazan
  • Specialized
9.9

A person who leads singing and prayers in a Jewish synagogue

leads singing in synagogue without stressing other religious duties
chazzan
vschazan
9.9

A person who leads prayers and sings in a synagogue

focuses on leading singing or chanting specifically in a synagogue

Surface Forms

chazan singular
chazanim plural

Etymology

Chazan comes from the Hebrew word חזן and the Yiddish khazn, which originally meant 'one in charge' or 'caretaker' in a community and later became the name for the person who sings and chants in the synagogue. So a chazan today is the prayer leader who leads the congregation in song.