In 1985 a choir was formed for the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Amsterdam Jewish Community that took place in the historic Portuguese Esnoga (synagogue). The choir's successful performance inspired one of its participants to form an ongoing synagogue choir that would maintain and enrich the sounds of Dutch synagogue culture.

The sixteen-voice-strong ASK sings regularly with Chief Cantor Hans Bloemendal and other internationally acclaimed cantors. In addition to religious services and ceremonies, the ASK has performed for the Dutch and Israeli governments during nationally televised events.

The ASK has recently released a new CD entitled "ASK 20th Anniversary Concert," recorded live on location during our Chanukah jubilee concert at the Concertgebouw, December 2004. The CD may be ordered on our website.

Previous recordings of the ASK have included an earlier live recording from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Blessed By The Choirs of Thy People and a special service honouring the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel.

Western European chazzanut (cantorial music) forms the basis of the ASK's repertoire and is distinguished by its solemn, striving character. One doesn't need to know anything about Jewish liturgy or Hebrew to be able to enjoy these melodies in which belief, love and desire are so beautifully rendered.

Conductor

Ilia Belianko was born in St. Petersburg in 1974. He started his musical education at the renown Rimsky-Korsakov school of Music. At the age of 15, he emigrated to Israel were he continued his studies at the Thelma Yalin School of Arts in Tel Aviv. In 2001 Belianko obtained a Bachelor in orchestral conducting from the Rubin academy in Jerusalem. Currently he is following the Master's program in choir conducting at the Conservatorium of Amsterdam.

Ilia Belianko has conducted several choirs, among which the Ma'ale Adumim Chamber Choir and the Chamber Choir of the Music Academy in Jerusalem. He was twice awarded the America-Israel Cultural Foundation Scholarship: in 1990 for piano and in 1999 for choral conducting. Moreover, in 2005 he was laureate of the international competition for conductors in Riga.

Ilia Belianko joined the ASK as chief conductor in September 2004.

Board

The Board of the Amsterdam Synagogue Choir Foundation currently consists of Casper Filarski (President), Irwin Oppenheim (Secretary) and Jaap Roos (Treasurer).