EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

A Sweet Goodbye

Up To The Challenge

U

In the latest Temple Israel Messenger, the cantor wrote: "I
nder a canopy of sunshine in the outdoor gar-
wanted to dedicate my life to -the perpetuation of our
dens, the sweet singer of Temple Israel was bid
Jewish musical heritage and to the establishment of an
a fond farewell at Shabbat services on June 28.
ongoing creative contemporary musical tradition."
Harold Orbach, 71, was retiring from the tem-
Mission accomplished.
ple he had served for 40 years. He grew as a cantor as the
Just last week in Boulder Creek, Colo., the American
temple grew into one of America's largest Reform congre-
Conference of Cantors (ACC), of which he is a past presi-
gations.
dent, gave Harold Orbach its Lifetime Achievement Award
Before 1,400 congregants and friends of the cantor,
for all that he has done on behalf of American Jewry and
Rabbi Harold Loss thanked his colleague of 31 years "for
the American cantorate. In his honor, an invitational golf
sharing your home, your heart and your voice with those
tournament was held to raise money for the ACC publica-
you love and who love you."
tion fund.
Herta and Eugene Orbach and their two
The Orbachs have a home in Florida, where the cantor
boys, Harold and Gerald, fled Nazi
plans to hone his golf game, but they'll keep their West
Germany for America with memories of
Bloomfield condominium, too. Evelyn is artistic director of
Kristallnacht —and watching the towns-
the Jewish Ensemble Theatre in West Bloomfield. Though
men rush the local synagogue to save the
now retired from congregational life, the cantor still plans
Torah scrolls from Hitler's `night of broken
to offficiate at family events.
glass" in 1938.
The boys left Dusseldorf for
England via the "kinder" trans-
A Voice That Resonates
ROBERT A. ports. Their father was impris-
In presenting the gift of a mezuzah to the Orbachs
SKLAR
oned for six weeks in Dachau, a
last Shabbat, Temple Israel President Dr. Jerrold
Editor
German concentration camp,
Weinberg spoke from the heart: "It is said that
before reuniting with his family
music opens the gates of heaven to let your prayers
in England and heading to New York City.
enter. Cantor Orbach, for 40 years you have been
A Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of
the voice that eased our suffering at funerals,
Religion School of Sacred. Music graduate,
shared our joy at weddings and baby-namings, per-
Harold Orbach was ordained a cantor in 1962.
formed in and produced countless concerts and
He left a Tulsa, Okla., synagogue for Temple
programs for us, helped us search our souls on the
Israel, then located in Detroit, in 1962. Temple
High Holy Days, and welcomed and bid farewell
Israel Rabbi M. Robert Syme had urged his
Cantor Orbach
to each Shabbat with us."
friend to succeed Cantor Robert Tulman, who
An active Zionist, Cantor Orbach was awarded
had died.
the Culture Medal of Israel from Prime Minister Golda
Over four decades, Cantor Orbach's expansive smile, car-
Meir during the Jewish state's 25th anniversary celebration
ing soul, precise enunciation, distinctive tenor and interna-
in 1973. He also sang at Israel's 50th anniversary celebra-
tional stature as a performer have left a spiritual imprint on
tion in 1998, and at the celebration marking Jerusalem's
Jews and non-Jews alike. His participation in interfaith
3,000th birthday in 1996.
concerts and social action projects has earned him commu-
As he closed his sermon in song last Shabbat and turned
nity acclaim.
toward his seat on the outdoor birnah, he said softly, "Hear
Cantor Orbach has experienced life-cycle events with
me, 0 Lord." And I'm sure God did.
families, endowed children with a love for Jewish learning
The sweet singer of Temple Israel then passed the syna-
and helped make music integral to Jewish life. Notably, 10
gogue's songbook to his associate of three years, Cantor
former students are now cantors.
Lori Corrsin — the Southfield High graduate he eagerly
He also has felt personal pain and loss, including heart
recruited and was willing to wait a year for so she could
surgery and the death of a grandchild; in turn, he has
fulfill her contract with a New York congregation.
drawn support and comfort from the larger community.
May you have a sweet retirement, Cantor Orbach. ❑
He and his wife, Evelyn, have four children and nine
grandchildren.

LETTERS

Closing Elan
A Heavy Blow

I was devastated to learn that Elan Village in Southfield is going
to be closed this month ("Elan Village Closing July 31," June
28, page 11)
In the year that my mother has lived there, Elan Village has
proved to be the perfect place for her. The pleasant surround-
ings, good kosher food, and dedicated staff and administration
created a wonderful place for her and others to live.
Having Shabbat and holiday services conducted by members

of Young Israel of Southfield, as well as candlelighting and other
religious observance, allowed my mother to continue the way of
life she has always lived, at a cost affordable to her.
Perhaps it was this affordable cost multiplied by the number
of residents that led to Elan Village's demise. Perhaps it was the
refusal of our Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit to help
provide affordable housing to the more mobile, but less affluent
segment of the community. Perhaps it was the near absence of
any mention of Elan Village's activities in the Jewish News, in
spite of constant attempts on the part of the administrators to

LETTERS on page 6

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