Sam Josephson Kokotek

A son of Concentration Camp Survivors who were originally from Bendzin, Poland, Rabbi Cantor Sam was the only member of his immediate family born in the USA. Originally on a trajectory towards being an Actor/Singer, a chance encounter with a Synagogue Choir Member at a Pittsburgh Dinner Theater production of Guys and Dolls, had him studying Voice with a leading Cantor of the day, Moshe Taube, and a love of interpreting the Prayers of our People ensued, resulting in his pursuit of dual careers. A lifelong active Member of the Habonim/DROR Socialist Zionist Youth Movement, a return to Judaism did not take much awakening. Being a keen observer and participant in the life of Our People, motivates him to invite dialogue on where we go from here!

Having a working class background and unwillingness to throw the State of Israel under the bus, put Sam at odds with many of his co-religionists from Long Island and wealthier backgrounds. The efforts of School Classmate Evangelists to have him join (G-d forbid) the ranks of Christianity were thank G-d brought to naught. Oberlin, where Sam's identity was constantly being challenged, hardened his resolve to stand up for and stand by the Jewish People. A climactic moment came on Campus, when he publicly confronted Kathleen Cleaver for her venomous attack upon the State of Israel and the Jewish People. As stated in the Oberlin Review the next day, she named Sam "an undercover Zionist!"

Yes, for sure

Yes, I did an Apprenticeship at Actors Theatre of Louisville, briefly attended Brooklyn College, and was a Guest Artist at Kingsboro Community College as a part of their award winning Production of Arthur Miller's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, portraying Rodolpho, the young Italian immigrant, fighting for his identitiy and right to love the woman he chose in the New World!

Teaching acting to young men and women at Northfield/Mount Hermon Preparatory High School, Volunteering at Maimonides Medical Center's ER and Lutheran Hospital's pre-mature Babies' Ward, the Barnum and Bailey Clown Workshop led by Bill Irwin.