Gershon (Yitskhok) Sirota Was born in 1874, in Podolskaya Guberniya, Ukraine, he was one of the leading cantors of Europe during the "Golden Age of Chazzanut".

Little is known about his early years. His first appointment as a cantor was in Odessa, then spent eight years in Vilna as cantor of the Shtatshul (State Synagogue) there. It was in Vilna that he began his collaboration with choirmaster Leo Lowe, which would continue throughout his career. He performed on numerous occasions throughout Europe.

In 1907, Sirota assumed the position of cantor at the presigious