Cantor Sheldon Merel z”l
Dear Holy Blossom Community,
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Cantor Sheldon Merel Z”l. Cantor Merel served our beloved Holy Blossom Congregation with tremendous dignity and honour for 10 years from 1969-1979. While I did not have the pleasure of knowing Cantor Merel well, I did meet him earlier this year on a Zoom call. He was truly a sweet singer of Israel, he was known for his majestic voice and menschlichkeit personality. He elevated the music of our congregation for almost a decade and was succeeded by our Cantor Emeritus, Benjamin Maissner.
I want to share with you some words posted by the President of the American Conference of Cantors along with a reflection from Cantor Maissner.
The family has requested a private Funeral and Shiva and I have been informed that there will be a public memorial service in the near future. We will provide details as they become available.
May his memory forever be for a blessing.
Zichrono livracha,
Cantor David Rosen
President of the American Conference of Cantors:
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Reflection from Cantor Benjamin Maissner
Dear Friends and Congregants,
It is with great sadness that I have to bare the heartbreaking news that our former beloved Cantor Sheldon Merel passed away last night. I arrived at Holy Blossom Temple shortly after Shelley left to return to the west coast. I succeeded a giant in the field. Shelly was really a sweet singer of Israel. He embodied the highest level of our calling in the Art of the Shaliach Tzibur; the emissary of our people.
Cantor Merel served this congregation with love and devotion. He was a hard “act” to follow as his glorious voice, calming temper and sweet personality endeared him to the entire congregation. He was learned, musical and had excellent taste as he catered the sacred song of our people and elevated the prayer text to a very high level.
Shelley had an extremely busy and dignified career for over forty years since he left our congregation and returned to the west coast in San Diego. In his advanced age, well into his 90’s he still sang like a bird every High Holiday in his beloved home congregation. Many of our members still remember Shelly with great love and admiration. Shelly came back to our Temple for concerts. It was an honour for me to sing with him and stand beside him as I listened to his sweet Neshama shine through as he put his heart into our sacred song.
May his memory be for a blessing to all who knew him
Both Cantor Rosen and I sadly mourn his passing.
Yehi Zichcon Baruch,
Beny
As I reflect upon last Shabbat, I am still overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the wonderful installation service that official welcomed be as the Senior Cantor and Music Director of Holy Blossom Temple.
At the senior leadership meeting this week, I reflected that it felt as if the service actually took place in person, with many of you there joining in this historic moment for my family and for this community. I am greatly moved by all the wonderful emails and messages I have received and I have found myself pressing the refresh button on the livestream at various times throughout the week.
I am grateful to everyone who took part in this service as well as members of the Cantorial Search Committee who sponsored this event.
In my remarks, I commented about “Middah K’neged Migdah,” or the idea of Jewish Karma. In essence it is the notion that the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence are viewed as deciding factors in their fate of future existences. Despite difficult circumstances during my transition, it is become increasingly more apparent to me that Holy Blossom has an incredible ability to rise to any occasion, despite the obstacles and to provide meaningful opportunities for us to engage together as a kehilah Kedosha; a holy community that works together to create extraordinary things. In essence, this is a part of the DNA of our congregation.
As we move forward together towards the hope of coming out of the darkness of this pandemic, I eagerly look forward to the many wonderful events and celebrations we will enjoy together in the years to come.
Cantor David Rosen
Senior Cantor and Music Director
When we announced to the congregation that Cantor David Rosen would be the Senior Cantor and Music Director at Holy Blossom Temple, we were very excited for the future. The future has already delighted us several times, and none more so than Cantor Rosen’s installation service. Cantor Rosen skillfully wove together a collection of beautiful music and collaboration with a meaningful worship experience. Seeing and hearing Cantor Rosen alongside Cantor Maissner, Cantorial Soloist Lindi Rivers, and the incredible clergy team served as a reminder that a fantastic match was made. Including guest Cantors and our choir was innovative and beautiful. We are blessed to have Cantor Rosen with us at HBT! We can’t wait to be part of many more experiences, especially when we can all gather together again for the amazing programs that Cantor Rosen has in store.
Rachel Malach & Jeff Denaburg
Co-Chairs, Senior Cantor Search Committee
1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5P 3K9
(416) 789-3291
[email protected]
Emergency Funeral Contact
Cell: 416-565-7561
Founded in 1856, Holy Blossom Temple is Toronto’s first synagogue with a rich history of tradition and modernity in our religious and spiritual expression.