Russian Jewish cantor and performer Svetlana Portnyanski performs at the B’nai Chaim congregation fundraiser at Lorimar Vineyards and Winery in Temecula, Sunday, Sept. 8. Tony Ault photo
Cantor and renowned performer of Jewish songs, Russian romances and Ukranian melodies Svetlana Portnyanski warmly greeted Congregation B’nai Chaim at their benefit dinner Sunday, Sept. 8, at Lorimar Vineyards and Winery in Temecula.“This is a night of ‘Ahava’ or love,” Portnyanski said to the congregation and guests.The singer, a graduate of Russia’s premier Gnesin Musical Academy of Moscow in 1986, is no stranger to B’nai Chiam and Rabbi Marc Rubenstein, and will serve as the congregation’s cantor for the upcoming Jewish High Holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah that begins this year Sunday, Sept. 29, for a day of atonement.“I want to congratulate everybody with the upcoming wonderful events. It’s 5,780 to you Jewish here,” she said. “And I want to
