Sweet Voice
In Training

ih! Brad Hyman has a higher calling,
which he is already fulfilling.

JENNIFER FINER JEWISH NEWS INTERN

hen Temple Israel's
Cantor Harold Or-
bach cannot attend
Shabbat services, 21-
year-old Brad Hyman often fills
in.
When Congregation Shir
Tikvah needs a song leader for
its High Holy Day services, Mr.
Hyman isright up there on the
bimah.
Mr. Hyman, a senior at
Michigan State University, is
not a professional cantor. But
he has been filling the shoes of
cantors since he was 14. Next
year, he hopes to attend can-
torial school at Hebrew Union
College.
"I want to be a cantor, so I'm
doing as much as I can to get
myself ready for the job," said
Mr. Hyman. "I love music and
I love Hebrew and becoming a
cantor is the best way to com-
bine the two."
While Mr. Hyman was a stu-
dent in Temple Israel's religious
school, Cantor Orbach took him
under his wing and helped him
work on his skills.
"Cantor Orbach tells me
what I should be singing, but
artistically it's up to me," said

W

Brad Hyman strikes a chord when he sings for
area congregations.

Mr. Hyman, who also plays the
guitar. "I can't be Cantor Or-
bach, but I try to put as much
of myself into what I'm singing.
"I've had a lot of support from
Temple Israel. They are very
eager to help young kids with
talent or abilities, to make sure
they are heading in the right di-
rection."

"I want to be
a cantor, so I'm
doing as much as
I can to get

myself ready."

Brad Hyman

Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg of
Shir Tikvah and Temple Is-
rael's Rabbi Harold Loss both
offered words of praise for Mr.
Hyman.
"When Cantor Orbach is out
of town, Brad often fills in,"
Rabbi Loss said. "The congre-
gation always responds very
positively to him. He has the

ability to help people join with
him in prayer and he does not
see this as a soloist opportuni-
ty but works to involve the con-
gregation. The warmth he
projects will enable him to be
successful."
Rabbi Sleutelberg said when
Mr. Hyman is leading the con-
gregation in prayer he has a
real feeling about the liturgy.
"The congregation is in love
with him," Rabbi Sleutelberg
said. "He just envelops the sanc-
tuary and fills the room in the
most extraordinary way and
there is this glow about him
when he's on the bimah."
Mr. Hyman said he ,needs
only minimal preparations for
the service. His one real prepa-
ration is knowing and under-
standing what he'll be singing,
so he can convey it to the con-
gregation.
In addition to services, Mr.
Hyman hopes to sing at wed-
dings and b'nai mitzvah. He re-
cently worked his first wedding,
playing the processional and re-
cessional tunes and singing a
musical selection chosen by the
bride and groom. ❑

