Bonia Shur is a major force in the Reform Jewish movement in North America. Over 250 of his published compositions are in use in synagogues throughout the country and abroad. In 1974 he was appointed Director of Liturgical Arts at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati.

In addition to his vast liturgical repertoire, he has written for film, television, and theater. Some of these works include the vocal score to the motion picture The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, music for the television special Revolt in Mode’in, and a dramatic work in memory of the murdered Jewish Soviet poets, Six Hours Before the Execution for cantor, two narrators, dancer, choir, and full symphonic orchestra.

Mr. Shur’s music is vibrant, dynamic, and highly individual. He has an extremely diverse background: Born in Latvia, he escaped the Nazi invasion, fought in the Russian army, immigrated to Israel, and lived on a kibbutz before coming to the United States in 1960.