The Rabbi’s Yom Kippur sermon sounds different every year, but at Beth Yeshuran’s annual service, you can always count on hearing the Katz sister’s ethereal singing. Ever since elementary school, Carly and Annie Katz have blessed Beth Yeshuren, the largest synagogue in Houston, with their wonderful voices during services. You can expect to see the pair on the bimah during the teen afternoon Yom Kippur services which are open to over 2,000 families. On a somber and draining day for Jews, Carly and Annie Katz revive the audience with the beauty of song and prayer. This lasting tradition not only holds great meaning for the sisters but also for the broader Beth Yeshuren community.
For as long as they can remember, Judaism has played a central part in both Carly and Annie Katz’s lives. “We’ve been learning prayers since we’ve been learning to talk. The Torah trope has been part of my vocab since I was a little kid,” shares senior Carly Katz. The Katz’s connection with service and prayer makes their participation in the holiest day of the Jewish calendar even more sacred. “Singing during the Yom Kippur service makes me feel especially connected to my faith,” says sophomore Annie Katz. Like her sister, Carly Katz “feels a sincere connection to family, heritage, and the Houston Jewish community when participating in services.”
Leading prayers for an entire congregation is a great honor accompanied by a lot of responsibility. “Of course, we sometimes feel nervous to perform,” admits Annie Katz. Thankfully, Carly Katz explains how both she and Annie “have become more comfortable and familiar with the prayers, the Torah, and the haftarah over the years.” Due to their familiarity with the content, along with their deep connection to the Beth Yeshuren community, “singing on the bimah brings a lot of comforts. You can always see warm familiar faces and you always feel so loved,” shares Carly Katz.
While participating in such a sacred service holds great meaning to the Katz sisters, their contributions also inspire Beth Yeshuren’s congregants. “It makes me proud to see members of our community performing at our synagogue,” shares senior Alex Levy, a proud Beth Yeshuren member. “I am always happy to see teen representation in our temple,” Levy continues. The Katz sisters set a great example of what it means to be youth leaders in Houston. “They are creating a legacy of multi-age performers at synagogue,” explains Levy. Their devout faith and courage remind other teenagers that they are never too young to pursue their passions and leave their mark on the community. The mitzvah Carly and Annie Katz fulfill every year is a gift that keeps on giving. The sisters inspire young members of the Jewish community to connect with their faith and pursue what they love.
