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Charlie Bernhardt doesn't chalk up his singing ability to pure talent. It's genetic, he says modestly— his parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents have all been singers.

The Laurel resident has put his genetic gift to good use, serving for the last 25 years as the cantor, a singer who leads prayer services, at Oseh Shalom Synagogue. He will be celebrating the milestone at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the synagogue, 7515 Olive Branch Way.

"Serving in a congregation for that long is not very typical," he said. "People tend to move around or part ways with congregations."

The Beth Page, N.Y., native moved to Laurel in 1977 and attended services at Oseh's old synagogue on Briarwood Drive for a year before volunteering to be the cantor. After years of working service holidays, directing the choir for high holidays and teaching confirmation classes, he was given the position in 1983.

Bernhardt's role is unique because he plays guitar during Shabbat services. Most Shabbat services are performed a cappella. He said that in the late twentieth century, instruments appeared at Shabbat services.

"It was a really abrupt change for most people," he said. "Now people don't want to go to services without the guitar."

He said many of the melodies he plays are relatively new but still maintain the same message. He also said he is able to arrange guitar music with older melodies to "preserve the best of our tradition with the things that we're able to do now to enhance it."

John Riehl, religious vice president at Oseh, said that Bernhardt has improved the Shabbat services.

"His ability to project a sense of a joy…has made worshipping at Oseh Shalom a real experience, not just for me but the whole congregation," he said. "Charlie can be very funny and amusing but he can also be very serious and focused in a professional way if he needs to be."

Rabbi Doug Heifetz said Bernhardt's music and sense of humor add "add a tremendous liveliness for me and all of our congregants."

Bernhardt said he notices similarities between serving as the cantor and his job as a union representative for American Federation of Government Employees in Washington, D.C., where he negotiates contracts for federal employees to work with agencies.

"When I am signing in front of the congregation, all I am doing is on their behalf to affect their prayer service," he said. "And when I am doing something for the union, I am not doing something for myself but for the union."