Shaarey Zedek's °Voice'

Israel Bonds dinner honors longtime leader Cantor Chaim Najman.

BILL CARROLL

Special to the Jewish News

A

fter more than 25 years on the bimah at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek — davening
most of the time with his back to the congre-
gation — Cantor Chaim Najman is ready for his
front-view close-up.
He'll get it Monday, May 9, when he and his wife,
Dr. Sherrell "Sherry" Najman, will be honored at
Shaarey Zedek's annual State of Israel Bonds Tribute
Dinner at the Southfield synagogue. They will receive
the State of Israel Declaration of Independence
Award. The dinner was postponed from last fall to
avoid a conflict with another Shaarey Zedek fund-
raising event.
- Like most chazzanim, Cantor Najman has played a
significant &tit mainly behind-the-scenes role at the
synagogue, staying above the fray of synagogue poli-
tics, expressing a keen sense of humor, teaching
youngsters and adults and developing innovative
musical programs for congregants.
Until recently, he followed a Shaarey Zedek tradi-
tion, which he favors, of davening facing the Torah so
as to be transmitting his prayers directly to God. Now
he faces the congregation for portions of the service at
the request of the current officers, he said. They feel it
encourages more participation by congregants.
He has officiated at hundreds of weddings and
funerals, guided countless bar and bat mitzvah stu-
dents, appeared in concerts throughout the country —
even sang the national anthem several times before
baseball games at Tiger Stadium-- and he has worked
with a number of assistant rabbis, executive directors
and more than a dozen congregational presidents.
Cantor Najman, 68, has achieved one of the
longest tenures of any chazzan in the Detroit Jewish
community. He reached the pinnacle of his profession
in 1999-2001, when he served two years as president
of the International Cantors Assembly. He worked his
way up through the ranks of the local and state can-
tors' organizations and by serving on the executive
committee and holding several officer positions in the
international group.
Under his guidance, the Cantors Assembly pub-
lished a new machzor for the High Holidays, a new
siddur (prayer book) and major oratorios, one of
them by Dr. Sholom Kalib of Farmington Hills, can-
tor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in Flint.
"Cantor Najman has graced the Shaarey Zedek
sanctuary with dignity, elegance and in the authentic
spirit of the finest in synagogue music," Dr. Kalib
said.
Stephen Stein of Akron, Ohio, executive vice presi-
dent of the Cantors Assembly, added, "Cantor
Najman is very highly respected among his colleagues

... and has a great knowl-
edge of Jewish culture and
law."

Genuine Style

But there also have been
some scary moments in
the cantor's career, such as
a few years ago when he
had to remain completely
silent for six weeks after
having delicate surgery on
his vocal chords, a com-
mon occurrence for many
singers. But he bounced
back without missing a
beat.
When his current con-
tract expires at the end of
next year, he will assume
emeritus status, and he is
working out a retirement
plan with the synagogue
to allow me to continue
to participate in some
services."
"He has a fantastic
knowledge of our faith
and the liturgy — second
to none," declared Steve
Weisberg, Shaarey Zedek
president. "He has an
uncanny ability to inte-
grate the melodies of each
holiday into the regular
" service, and thus, prepare .
congregants for the holi-
day. He's a fabulous can-
tor and teacher, in every
respect."
Weisberg said a syna-
gogue committee has
Cantor Najman has led Shaarey Zedek in prayer for more than a quarter century.
launched a search for
Cantor Najman's replace-
ment.
recognition for him and Shaarey Zedek. The choir,
"His beautiful tenor voice and genuine cantorial
directed for. 22 years by Eugene Zweig of West
style have brought beauty and elegance to our servic-
Bloomfield, will present a special musical program at
es," said Max Somberg, 93, of West Bloomfield, a
the Israel Bond dinner, although the cantor himself
Shaarey Zedek member for 53 years. "His voice
will not sing.
opens people's hearts and inspires them to prayer.
"We are pleased to honor the Najmans for their
With his years of experience, he's able to blend the
devoted service to our synagogue," said Marta
traditional chants into the services — something the
Rosenthal of Franklin and Lawrence Jackier of West
younger chazzans of today have not been exposed to." Bloomfield, co-chairs of the dinner. "This is an
Cantor Najman's musical programs and pageants
opportunity to recognize the Najmans for enhancing
— and work with the synagogue's professional choir
SHAAREY ZEDEK'S 'VOICE' on page 70
and other choral groups — have earned national

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4/28
2005

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