had to confront these three problems:
1 - Music
2- personnel and
3- a music teacher.
As far as the music was concerned I knew many melodies that were sung in Kahal Shalom's choir in Rhodes. Then through the
courtesy of Gordon DeLeon I acquired the Spanish and Portuguese prayer book of Shearith Israel. The music that we wanted was at
the end of that prayer book, plus some Ashkenazi melodies, also some of Samuel Goldfarb's own composition's which be the way
led us to the third problem. The teacher!
Samuel Goldfarb the Director of Temple De Hirsh's choir was then hired by our congregation to train the choir to get ready for the
performance of services for the High Holy Day's. But the choir had not yet been selected and that was our next task. Then came the
arduous work of training the boys. We met continuously for approximately 8 months, several times a week at the Educational
Center, until the choir was ready to perform at the Synagogue during `Rosh Hashanah' and 'Yom Kippur'. While all this training was
going on, Mrs. Sarina Mossafer and the entire executive committee worked hard at making the uniforms for our choir.
The holidays came and the choir was ready for it's first performance.
All of our congregation was amazed and spellbound at hearing the angelic voices of their own children.
But that was only the first year. For the continuation of this choir for the following 50 years can be credited to the assiduous services
and leadership of Judd Israel, who to this present day directs the choir successfully.
I know the entire congregation expresses it's thanks to all of the choir and its director for beautifying the services of our Synagogue.
Then with the complete cooperation of our dear and departed Reverend David J. Behar, Mr. Samuel Goldfarb and myself went to
our Talmud Torah. There we selected a group of 17 boys best qualified for their vocal and musical ability, and their knowledge of
reading Hebrew well.
Theodor Herzl said "if you will it, it is no legend".What seems an impossibility can be achieved where there is a will, with complete
devotion, and attachment to the task!
Alphabetically these are the names of the boys selected!
David A. Alhadeff, David M. Alhadeff, Jack Behar, Elazar Behar, Bill Benveniste, Ralph Cohen, Isaac Cordova, Isaac Israel and
Jack M. Israel, Isaac Israel "Benditcha" and Leon Israel, Sam Mossafer, Joe S. Peha and Leon D. Peha, Sam Rousso, Isaac B.
Solam and Morris E. Tanca.
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