Congregation Mikve Israel-Emanuel

That night, we ate a wonderful
Shabbat dinner with the president of
the congregation. He explained that the
sound made by the wooden shoes on
the wooden floor disturbed the worship
service; they had no way to obtain car-
peting, so they brought in sand from
the seashore. Rabbi Fram looked at me
and said, "I liked my explanation much
better."
He was right. As I again entered
those portals, it immediately reminded
me of our 40 years of wandering in the
desert.

Historic Moment

As I arrived on the island, I soon
realized that truly all of Curacao had
prepared for this historic event. The
ceremonies began Sunday evening
with the inauguration and dedication
of a new museum at the site of the
oldest Jewish cemetery in the
Western Hemisphere. In attendance
was His Royal Highness Prince
William Alexander, representing the
Royal House of Orange, which has
had such a long record of protecting
the Jewish community of Europe.
They bestowed a gift of $350,000 to
restore the historic organ and the
synagogue.
One of the most moving experi-
ences was the commemorative service
of the synagogue. The music all came
from the Golden Age of Spain. The
Torah from which they read dated
he profession of cantor is joyous because it
back to 1420. The dignity of the service, the high
gives one the opportunity to celebrate.
hats and formal dress worn, and the ceremony all
Perhaps because we recently celebrated the
were very impressive.
60th anniversary of Temple Israel, I felt it
Only one composition was sung that did not
important to accept the invitation to be part of a tribute
come from the Spanish tradition, and that was the
to Curacao's synagogue, Congregation Mikve Israel-
Shehecheyanu composed by Cantor Lori Corrsin of
Emanuel.
.
Temple Israel and sung by Cantor Lainie Simons
The congregation was formed 350 years ago, in 1651,
Katzew, daughter of Lucy Simons Davis and the late
and its current building, dedicated in 1732, is the oldest
Frank Simons, who was the executive director of
synagogue building in the Western Hemisphere.
Temple Israel at the time of his death.
Thirty years ago, in 1971, my wife Evelyn and I were
A gala concert, attended by more than 1,500 peo-
joined by Rabbi Leon Fram as we went on our first visit CANTOR HAROLD ple and in which I had the privilege of performing,
to this beautiful Dutch island in the Caribbean. I had
ORBACH
received a long, standing ovation; that prompted us
been invited to sing at Shabbat services. As we entered
Special to
to repeat our final number.
the synagogue, Rabbi Fram, who was overwhelmed by
the Jewish News
Well known figures such as Rabbis Chaim Potok,
the beauty of the building and impressed by the sand
Gunther Plaut and S.J. Maslin were part of a panel
floor, exclaimed in stentorian tones, "This is magnifi-
on the subject, "The Threat of Survival of Small and Remote
cent! It is to remind us of our 40 years of wandering in the desert."
Jewish Communities in the 21st Century and the Legacy That
Can Be Passed on for Future Generations."
Dignitaries from all over the world attended and sent their
Cantor Orbach is a clergy member at Temple Israel in West
greetings, and there was a special tribute to Israel on Yom
Bloomfield.
HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day (April 26).

Up With Song
Cantor joins tribute to Curacao synagogue.
T

❑

5/11
2001

85