Cantor Louis J. Herman

Cantor Louis J. Herman was originally from Toronto, Canada. His father, Rev. Samuel Herman, had been a Cantor in Montreal and Toronto. A boy soprano, Cantor Louis Herman was a protégé of the world-famous Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt, and had sung on the famous Maxwell House Coffee Hour on New York’s Jewish Station WEVD. During the 1920s and 1930s he sang professionally in Canada and throughout the American middle west and northeast. He hosted a radio show in Canada beginning in 1937.

When Canada entered into World War II, Louis Herman enlisted in the Canadian Army. He appeared in army stage shows in Canada and overseas, and also saw combat duty. He had been promoted to the rank of sergeant by the war’s end.

Returning to Canada, Louis Herman returned to singing, and studied at Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music. A show business career, however, was not in the works. Louis Herman followed in his father’s footsteps, and became a cantor.

In 1957 Cantor Louis Herman came to Camden NJ, to Congregation Beth El where he succeeded Cantor Simon Kriegsman. Beth El’s 50 year anniversary book states that “Cantor Herman’s beautiful tenor voice and traditional rendition of the service has been warmly and enthusiastically received by the Congregation for these last fourteen years. In addition to his Cantorial duties, he teaches Bar Mitzvah boys and leads the Congregation’s Choral Group.” Cantor Herman took the Choral Group to Israel in 1961 to perform.

The Herman family first settled in Camden’s Parkside section, residing at 1507 Baird Avenue, which had been the home of Peter Carter, who had been the chief of the Camden Fire Department. They resided there until following Beth El in its move to Cherry Hill NJ in the late 1960s.

Cantor Herman’s wife Yetta was deeply involved in Jewish education, first in Philadelphia and later at Beth El. Cantor Herman served Congregation Beth El until his retirement in 1982. He passed away on December 16, 2004.

The Herman family continues to serve the Jewish community. Son David Herman is a Rabbi in Baltimore MD, and is the executive director of Maryland Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem, a school for disadvantaged youth in Israel.

Paul Whiteman To Hear Others at Beach

Eleven amateurs, the pick of more than 50 talented patrons of Manhattan and Oriental who sought the honor, were presented by Rudy Vallee on his first audition program at the Manhattan bandstand.

More than 5,000 persons heard the amateurs, who had qualified at preliminary auditions conducted by Bennie Krueger, leader of the orchestra which inaugurated tea dancing at Oriental.

Rudy rated the entertainers and gave them constructive criticism, advising them to develop their own technique. Imitators never achieve real fame in the theatrical world, he pointed out to the young would-be Bing Crosbys, Rudy Vallees, Kate Smiths and Lawrence Tibbets.

His highest ranking, A minus, went to six of the amateurs, four of them boys and two girls.

Amateurs desiring to appear with Paul Whiteman, singers, dancers, and musicians, may register at the Press Booth, diagonally opposite the Manhattan bandstand.

The A minus rankings were awarded to Bert and Victor Marano, a piano team who play by ear; Ruth Harper, 19, of 2686 Ocean Avenue, a blues singer; Charles Ryan, 19, a baritone crooner; Ruth Jonas, 16, of 345 Montgomery Street, who has appeared in a Fox Movietone short, for her dancing, and to Lou Herman, 24, a protégé of Cantor Rosenblatt and winner of the Wrigley Contest in Canada.

A ranking of B plus went to Gracie Lee, 16, of 2421 West 28th Street, a blues singer who has appeared with Johnny Johnson on the “Tasty Yeast Hour” over WJZ; Alfred Lane, 18, of 16 East 10th Street, who has often sung with Harold Stern; Beula Bernstein, 16, of 2146 79th Street; tap dancer who made her first appearance at the beach, and Grace Tauss, 18, of 1824 Ocean Parkway, who won the title of Miss Brooklyn in the recent beauty contest.

The B plus ranking also was awarded to Harry Braunstein, 21, of 4804 13th Avenue, who has sung on the “City College of the Air” program over WLTH, and to Ruth Jonas for her singing.

By F. D. McGUIRE

“The Army Show,” Canada’s all-soldier musical extravaganza, opened in Saint John last night and exploded a bevy of mirth, melody and beautiful girls like a Mills grenade on the stage of the Capitol Theatre. Attended by a capacity audience of servicemen and women and a few invited civilian guests, the entertainment was lively from start to finish. It is big-time, and in fact has been labeled “better than anything Broadway has to offer this season.”

Bright, Snappy, Sparkling

It was bright, snappy, sparkling and naughty-but clean-musical comedy, and was the finest stage show to come this way in many years.

Some thought it better than “Dumbells” of the First Great War, but then the girls helped to do that. It is gay and amusing and certainly accomplishes that for which it was created — entertain the soldier.

Its music, its singing and its dancing choruses left nothing to be desired. It was a well-paced musical revue with never a dull moment. Its scenic and lighting effects were striking.

Its ballet numbers were executed with rhythm and grace. Its choruses were peppy and clicked with the slightest move of the conductor’s baton. R.S. Frank Fusco was excellent as concert master and musical conductor. Its comedians, while good, could stand a little polish and rounding-off in some numbers. That was about the only weakness.

Starting off with “That’s an Order From the Army” until its finale, “Let’s Make a Job of It” the whole program was greeted with hearty laughter and spontaneous applause.

Mildred Steals Show

Corporal Doug Romaine and Private Lou Herman, replacing Sergeant Frank Shuster and Sergeant Johnny Wayne, who played with the show earlier in its itinerary in Canada, carried much of the main “acting” as the comedians, while Sergeant Mildred Morey sang, danced and did imitations with a raucous gusto. In her Gracie Field number she stole the show, and it is doubtful if Gracie Fields could have done a better job herself.

Also remembered: The ballet of dancing of Corporal Everett Staples and Sergeant Connie Vernon … The excellence of the precision dancing … the singing of “The Four Brass Hats” … Sergeant Jimmy Shields in his song “Hi’Ya Mom” … “The Soldier’s Dream” with Sergeant Hal Seymour and Sergeant Lynda Tuero and the C.W.A.C. ensemble … “Viva El Furlough in South America.”

One of the strong points of the Army Show is that it is as all-Canadian as it is all-army. What comes out of the whole thing is something that is peculiarly Canadian in character and atmosphere. And it is fast, but not too fast, and thus it goes merrily on its way.

This afternoon the show will be repeated for members of the armed forces and tonight it will be presented for the general public.

Cantor Louis Herman was a young Jew who lived in Canada during World War II. After hearing about the terrible things that were happening to the Jews in Europe, he decided to enlist in the army to fight against the Germans.

When he finished his training, young Louis was transferred to Italy. As a sergeant in the army, he was assigned to the front, in the midst of heavy fighting.

Throughout the difficult months of the war, Louis kept as many mitzvos as he possibly could. On the day of his mother’s Yahrzeit, despite being many miles away from any shul, Louis wanted to say Kaddish for her. This prayer, however, would require a minyan, and finding ten Jews in the middle of a battlefield in Italy was not going to be easy. Louis knew of only five other Jewish soldiers in his unit.

Louis approached the army chaplain, who was a priest, and explained his predicament. Louis asked the chaplain if he knew of any other Jewish soldiers in the area. To Louis’s surprise, the chaplain not only knew where he could find other Jewish soldiers, but he also understood the meaning of a minyan.

“See that area over there?” The chaplain pointed to a tall observation tower. “That is where our soldiers guard our unit and watch for advancing German soldiers. When they see any activity, they radio the information back to the artillery unit to help us aim our bombs more precisely. There are four Jews who occupy positions in the observation tower. If you’d like, I can put in a call to them and ask that they come over to our area for your minyan.”

Louis was overjoyed. He would have exactly the ten men required to make up a minyan. And to his great relief, the soldiers were happy to oblige. Louis was able to say Kaddish on his mother’s Yahrzeit with a minyan. After they finished davening, Louis thanked everyone for joining him and enabling him to fulfill this meaningful personal obligation.

As the four soldiers turned to walk back to the observation tower, they suddenly heard a loud explosion and saw a most startling sight. The entire tower and its contents had been blown up. Only the four Jewish soldiers, who had just “happened” to be busy doing a very important mitzvah, had escaped annihilation.

The Talmud tells us (Pesachim 8b) that “Shluchei mitzvah einan nizokin,” messengers who go to do a mitzvah are saved from harm. Not only do acts of chessed help others, but those very acts can also save us from harm.

As told by Rabbi Boruch Brul in his book For Goodness’ Sake: Inspirational Stories of Chessed (Feldheim, 2004)

Bestowed Blessing On Jewish Soldiers Visiting Vatican

Toronto (NANA) — A member of the Canadian Army show, Pvt. Lou Herman, who has arrived home after service overseas, described how Pope Pius XII, speaking in Hebrew, blessed a group of Canadian Jewish soldiers during an audience in Rome.

The Jewish soldiers were singled out by the Pontiff when they found themselves standing in a room full of kneeling soldiers.

Describing the unusual scene, Private Herman said that the room was jammed with hundreds of soldiers who knelt when the pope entered.

“We didn’t know what to do so we remained standing,” he said. “The Pope beckoned to us and as we approached he asked: ‘What is your faith, my sons?’ Then he spoke to us in Hebrew.

“After conversing with us in Hebrew, which he spoke fluently, he raised his arms in the manner of the priests of the Hebrew faith and gave us his benediction in Hebrew,” added Herman, noting that the event was “awe-inspiring.”

Nearly 4,000 soldiers and their civilian friends stamped their feet, clapped their hands, whistled, and cheered “B Unit” of the Canadian Army Shows which played at the Coliseum last night.

Overseas for 14 months, this show played the whole Central Mediterranean theatre of war and England. The girls in the show included the first C.W.A.C. to land in Italy. On its way to Toronto to form a new show, the troupe gave their audience a taste of what men in action get to take their minds off the war.

The quality of the performance made this “taste” a very pleasant one. Versatile Lance Corporal Jimmy More, of Montreal, kept the show going at a merry pace with his jokes, imitations and a monologue “With the Hairforce at Camp Borden.” “Relax, girls, relax,” he called following Private Gwyn Price’s vocal renditions of ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’, and “My Buddy.” Private Price is from Calgary.

Private Sunny Wilson, C.W.A.C., of Moncton, sang several blues numbers, and Private Mary Moynihan, C.W.A.C., of Regina, offered pleasing soprano vocals. The dance team of Sergeant Eve Staples, of Toronto, and Private Alfreda Phillips of Winnipeg, were a distinct hit. An acrobat with a body she could twist like a corkscrew, and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, Private Ethel Hendry of Windsor, performed on top of a table! Private Lou Herman, of Toronto, provided laughs in the show, wearing an oversize greatcoat, a tin helmet and floppy shoes.

Special laurels go to the band, led by Sgt. Morris Weinsweig, of Toronto. The members are nearly all from Ontario and they seemed to enjoy playing almost as much as their audience enjoyed listening. At one point, Corporal More called for three volunteers, a member of the C.W.A.C. and two soldiers, to lead the band.

The band followed carefully the movements of the amateur leader’s baton, but in doing so worked themselves into a slap-happy condition — the cellist playing his cello like a guitar, and the brass section playing off-key and out of tempo.

The show is traveling under the command of Captain Bruce Wood, of Winnipeg.

Lou Herman, well-known tenor of Toronto, entertained delightfully at the regular Rotary luncheon on Wednesday last. His well controlled tenor voice revealed volume and excellent schooling. Accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Evans, Mr. Herman was rewarded with enthusiastic applause from the delighted audience.

Lou Herman was born in Montreal, son of a cantor, and showed early signs of musical talent. As a boy soprano prodigy, he sang as featured soloist in large theatres and concert halls throughout Canada and the United States.

Critics acclaimed him the best boy soprano on the continent and predicted a great musical future. On various occasions he sang as guest artist with Rudy Vallee, Paul Whiteman and on featured radio programs of American and Canadian networks. Prior to the outbreak of the war, Mr. Herman was touring Eastern Canada and the United States, giving song recitals. He enlisted in the Infantry and served with the Canadian Army overseas, during which time he also entertained the troops in England, France, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Germany.

At present Mr. Herman is studying music at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and will enter into his third year this fall.

by N. Stolnitz

The cantorial history of the young Canadian Jewish community already has to its credit a colourful and distinctive record. If the quarter million Jewish community in Canada is small in numbers in contrast to the community of the United States, in quality, however, the general Jewish level of culture in this country including cantorial music has nothing to be ashamed of in comparison with the much larger community next door. In certain details Jewish Canada has even shown itself to be a model. The very fact that the development of the Canadian Jewish community came much later than in the United States was responsible to a great extent for a slowing-up of the rapid tempo of the assimilation process of the American melting pot and to a certain extent preserved the Jewish spiritual heritage and the noble traditions bought over from Eastern Europe, a land where culture, music and Torah went together.

Thanks to this the status of Hazzanuth was higher and on a better level in Canada even in the bottom years of economic crisis when the cantorial field in America was dominated by despair and chaos. It is no surprise at all that very often outstanding American cantors were lured into leaving their positions in the U.S.A. to take cantorial posts in Canada. In fact an important number of prominent hazzanim from Europe found a new place of refuge in this country when their old posts were ruined and wiped out after the war years. Canada was also a favorite spot for cantorial attractions. Almost all of the world-famous cantors came on tour here and were so successful with concerts, both secular and devotional, that they won many admirers.

In general Hazzanuth has recently reached a high point here. The historical development of Jewish life has led to the fact that an important number of our estranged youth should take a beam out on the Jewish horizon, hopes which have brought radical change for the better for the cantors of our people. The synagogue — the sacred place — has become the centre of Jewish life and again has received the crown of its sacred importance.

That cantorial art has struck deep roots in this soil can be seen by the fact that even decades ago our Jewish community was able to produce its own cantors who assumed rather important positions in the general professional world on the American continent.

The most popular of them was the late Yossele Shlisky who achieved recognition among the famous artists of his generation.

In that time there were also prominent the Toronto young cantors Abraham Selsky, Abraham Singer and others. In recent years the profession has become enriched by a number of young and gifted cantors — particularly in Toronto, such as Henoch Borenstein (now in California), Jacob Barkin (now in Washington), Samuel Stolnitz (who has served in Vancouver and Minneapolis and is now back in Toronto), Nathan Katzman (the present head of the California region of the American Cantors’ Assembly), Louis Herman (now in New York) and many other young artists who serve in various prominent congregations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

I do not want to overlook the fact that in this present treatment I am giving special emphasis to the Dominion’s second largest community — Toronto — which is celebrating its hundredth year of organized communal life and where I have spent most of my years in this country. As it happens the fact that I was a founder of Toronto’s Cantors Association 25 years ago gives me a special equipment and familiarity with the details of Toronto’s cantorial history.

Toronto’s first hazzan it hundred years ago at the first organization of 17 Jewish families was the Rev. Chaim Goldberg of New York who served the tiny community as rabbi and schochet as well.

With the growth and development of the community the whole profession in later years began to take on a different appearance. The position of hazzan began to become stabilized, he acquired more prestige and more economic security, so that he was able to devote himself fully to his profession and not be subjected to the role of a kol-boi — a general religious factotum — forced to serve the community in all its needs in order to help earn a livelihood for himself.

One of the first recognized hazzanim in Toronto about fifty years ago who was responsible for hazzanuth being recognized as among the most effective spiritual factors in the religious life of our community were M. Shulman and the late Rev. M. Kaplan³ (1868–1935).

Born in Ostrowce, Poland, he came to Toronto at the age of eleven in 1907, with Cantor Moshe Wolman. Later Shlisky studied at the Toronto Conservatory where he graduated as a Mus. Bach. Died after a long illness in New York at 59 in 1955.

His first post was the Goel Tzedev Synagogue in Toronto. Later he moved to Atlanta and later to Baltimore where he served until his death in 1931.

A short biography of Hazzan Kaplan was published in the Jubilee Book of the Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Chevra Tehillim (McCaul Street Synagogue), edited by S. Troub in 1937. Rev. M. Kaplan came to Toronto in 1907 and immediately became cantor of this synagogue. He later entered private business.

The Congregations of South Jersey present The Cantors Assembly of America, Philadelphia Regional Branch in its Second Annual Concert of Jewish Music for the benefit of The Cantors Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Congregation Beth-El, Camden, New Jersey — Sunday Evening, February 28, 1960, at 8:00 O’Clock.

Choral Ensemble of the Cantors Assembly

Participating Artists: Mr. David J. Weiss — Mr. Jacob Perlberg

Additional Members of the Cantors Assembly, Philadelphia Region: Hazzan Asher Balaban, Hazzan Benjamin Klonsky, Hazzan David Reznik, Hazzan Irving S. Feller, Hanan Simon Kreigsman, Hazzan Gedalia Sheinfeld, Hazzan Belskin Ginsburg, Hazzan Morris Lang, Hazzan Rubin Sherer, Hazzan William Horn, Hazzan Moshe Orbach, Hazzan Morris Siegel, Hazzan Aaron Horowitz, Hazzan Harry Paskin, Hazzan Solomon Winter, Hazzan Saul Kirschenbaum, Hazzan Abraham Reiseman.

Officers of the Cantors Assembly, Philadelphia Regional Branch: Hanan Kurt Silbermann, Chairman; Hazzan Yehudah L. Mandel, Vice Chairman; Hazzan Asher Mandelblatt, Treasurer; Hazzan Louis D. Goldhirsh, Recording Secretary; Hazzan Felix Fogelman, Corresponding Secretary.

Program:

Patrons: Congregation Beth-El, Camden, N. J.; Congregation Beth Sholom, Haddon Heights, N. J.; Mr. and Mrs. Morris E. Albert.

Sponsors: Congregation Beth Jacob, Merchantville, N.J.; Congregation Sons of Israel, Camden, N. J.; Congregation B’nai Israel, Burlington, N. J.; Temple Emanuel, Merchantville, N. J.; Dr. and Mrs. Milton B. Asbell; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Goodman; Harry Berkowitz, Esq.; Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Greenberg; Mr. Meyer Borstein; Mr. & Mrs. Max J. Leff; Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Brandt; Mr. and Mrs. Morris Liebman; Beth-El Men’s Club; Mr. and Mrs. David H. Markowitz; Beth-El Sisterhood; Mr. and Mrs. Leon Mickleman; Mr. and Mrs. Leon Cooperson; Mr. and Mrs. Max Odlen; Mr. and Mrs. Julius Fox; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ostrov; Mr. Harry Gold; Mr. and Mrs. N. Herman Rappaport; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Goldman; Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Teitelman; Mr. and Mrs. Harry N. Goldstein.

Concert Committee: Hazzan Yehudah L. Mandel, Chairman; Hazzan Louis J. Herman; Hazzan Asher Mandelblatt; Hazzan Isaac I. Wall; Hazzan Seymour Schwartzman; Hazzan Leopold Edelstein; Hazzan Pinchas Spiro; Hazzan Harry Weinberg.

Grateful Acknowledgments: to the Beth-El Sisterhood for Concert Assistance; to the Beth-El Men’s Club for Ushering and Assistance.

The Cantors Assembly of America presents A Concert of Traditional Music for the Synagogue. Wednesday Evening, April Nineteenth, 1961 at 10 o’clock. Grossinger’s, Liberty, New York.

This is the second in a series of Two Concerts of Music for the Synagogue. It is dedicated to that Golden Age of Synagogue composition and Hazzanic virtuosity which flourished in Eastern Europe between the mid-nineteenth century and the First World War.

Written for the Jew who was thoroughly at home in the synagogue and passionately loved its music it beautifully mirrors the intensity and devotion of Jewish life of that era.

Hazzanim, in particular, will ever be indebted to these Masters; under their impetus and inspiration Hazzanut flowered to full bloom. Even after their own glorious voices were stilled they continue to live in the works and memories they contributed to the ancient hazzanic art and tradition.

Included in this Concert are the works of some of those who, living in the New World, created in the spirit of the Old.

The participants are the hazzanim of the Choral Ensemble of the Philadelphia Regional Branch of the Cantors Assembly of America, Mr. Sholom Altman, Conductor, Mr. Lazar Weiner, Piano.

Program:

The Choral Ensemble of the Philadelphia Regional Branch of the Cantors Assembly of America — Mr. Shalom Altman, Conductor; Mr. Lazar Weiner, Piano.

Hazzanim: Philip Blackman, Andrew Salzer, Nathan Chaitovsky, Sidney Sharff, Felix Fogelman, Seymour Schwartzman, Louis Goldhirsh, Kurt Silbermann, Louis Herman, Hyman Sky, Sidney Karpo, Pinchas Spiro, Yehudah Mandel, Isaac Wall, Asher Mandelblatt, Harry Weinberg, Martin Purjes, Marshall Wolkenstein.

Mr. Jacob Perlberg, Assisting Artist.

Due Book from the Kaighn Avenue Association. This dates from the late 1950s or early 1960s. — Phil Cohen, March 2009

The following names appeared in the program for the Testimonial Dinner for Rabbi Naftoly H.J. Riff of Congregation Sons of Israel (undated dinner program and May 23, 1976 brunch invitation). Images of program pages: Image 1 — Image 2 — Image 3 — Image 4 — Image 5 — Image 6

Nathan S. Rubin — George E. Brunner — Rabbi Bernard L. Levinthal — Mrs. Betty K. Kapel — E. George Aaron — Rabbi Wolf Gold — Louis E. Levinthal — Rabbi L. Selzer — Jacob Zuckerman — Meyer Adleman — Mrs. Meyer Adleman — Dan S. Rosenberg — Nathan S. Rubin — Samuel Yaffe — Samuel A. Weiss — Mrs. Samuel A. Weiss — Joseph Getzov — Emanuel L. Kapel — Manuel Ross — Joseph Ruttenberg — Joseph Shapiro — Harry Antelman — Mrs. Harry Antelman — William Remer — Morris Finkelstein — Benjamin P. Rosensweig — Mrs. Benjamin P. Rosensweig — Irwin L. Levy — Saul Lippman — Mrs. Harry Albert — Mrs. Samuel Bellitz — Mrs. S. S. Lewis — Henry Gaulton — Mrs. Edward Markowitz — Mrs. Benj. Rosensweig — Mrs. Abe Stoolman — Allan Hecsh — Morris Kress — Samuel Zeff — Mrs. Samuel Zeff — Nathan W. Elkitz — Hyman Bloom — Simon Abramson — Isidor Savage — Benjamin F. Friedman — Maurice H. Clyman — Mrs. Maurice H. Clyman — Edward Adelman — Louis Markowitz — Michael Albert — Dr. Alexander Ellis — Stanton Tarter — Henry Schreibstein — Jules Jaspan — Nathan Wolpert — Samuel Rosen — Benjamin Asbell — Leon Faerber — Samuel Shane — Israel Heine — Joseph Grossberg — Barney B. Brown — Jacob L. Furer — Sol Hoffman — Martin Yuderfriend — Samuel L. Reichman — William Arensberg — Henry J. Bass — Cantor and Mrs. Louis J. Herman — Emil Wise — Abraham Brandt — Congregation Sons of Israel — I. Eskin & Son — Greenetz and Greenetz — Joseph Rosenberg — Dr. Samuel Yubas — Max Weisfeld — Harry Katz — Morris Finkelstein — Benjamin Davis — Mrs. Bessie Rubin — Ruby’s — Charles H. Blank — Philip Kalikman — Manuel I. Wertheimer — Meyer Leider — Beth Israel Sisterhood — Dealers Liquor Co. — Ladies’ Auxiliary of Congregation Sons of Israel — Rabbi and Mrs. Harry B. Kellman — Rabbi Albert Lewis — Rabbi Isaac Furman — Rabbi Lester Hering.