Spirituality

SHAAREY ZEDEK'S 'VOICE' from page 69

our synagogue life
through their years of
service, commitment,
dedication and concern
for our congregation,
the community and the
State of Israel. The
Najmans have touched
the lives of hundreds of
congregants, their fami-
lies and others in the
Jewish community in
many different ways."
As an Israel Bond
honoree, Cantor
Najman is thrilled to be
helping his beloved
Israel. "I've always felt a
strong love for Israel ...
a deep-rooted and emo-
tional attachment," he
said. "The chazzan is
Dr. Sherry
pleading for Israel in
Cantor Najman
at the piano in thei
most of the prayers,
Southfyldho
especially on the High
Holidays. The liturgy I
chant and a large por-
inspiring sanctuary."
tion of the repertoire I sing
sing or teach are
Rabbi Emeritus Irwin Groner, who
infused with references to
and
shared
the pulpit with Cantor Najman
Jerusalem.
for
25
years,
said the cantor "blesses us
"I try my best to express that passion
with
many
gifts:
his vocal talent, his
for Israel and help instill the congrega-
skillful
musicianship
and his mastery of
tion's love for the nation. Throughout
the
demanding
art
of
chazzanut. He has
my career, I've devoted myself to doing
endeared himself to the congregation by
my best to revitalize the Jewish home-
his warmth, friendship and devotion."
land."
Dr. Sherry Najman recalls visiting
Israel many times. "Israel has been so
Love Of Music
vital to our existence and to Chaim's
A native New Yorker, Cantor Najman
work," she said. 'A highlight of our lives
became a bar mitzvah at a small Bronx
was when he sang at a memorable con-
synagogue and acquired his love for
cert in the Jerusalem Theater in 1987.
Yiddish and classical music from his
The song was from the liturgy of the
father, who also instilled in him a love
daily Amidah: And gather us together
for Israel.
from the four corners of the Earth.' I
He was educated at Jewish day
will never forget the emotional impact
schools, Yeshiva University High School,
of that evening."
Yeshiva College, the Cantorial Training
The Najmans came to Shaarey Zedek Institute and Teachers College at
in 1979 from Omaha, Neb., where he
Columbia University.
was cantor for seven years at Beth El
He studied voice in New York while
Synagogue. He recently returned there
teaching music, leading choirs and hold-
to participate in the synagogue's 75th
ing part-time cantorial positions, win-
anniversary observance. Before Omaha,
ning several national music awards along
they lived in Chicago, where he was a
the way. He later received an honorary
consultant to the Board of Jewish
doctorate of music from the Jewish
Education and a choral society conduc-
Theological Seminary.
tor.
While cantorial music is his first love,
Cantor Najman says Shaarey Zedek
he admits he "won't run off the radio if a
past presidents Bill Davidson, Leonard
jazz or rock-and-roll program comes on.
Baron and Bob Steinberg were especially I love all forms of music." He adds, "I
instrumental in bringing him to the syn- combine modernity with tradition in
agogue. "It was an easy choice to make,"
our music at Shaarey Zedek. I try to be
Cantor Najman said. "I was looking to
innovative while striving to preserve our
move ahead in the cantorial field, and
musical heritage."
Sh a arey Zedek has a diverse member-
Annual Shaarey Zedek musical
ship, endless resources, a talented staff,
events, such as the Laker Family Concert
excellent services and a beautiful and
and the restored Peter and Clara

4/28
2005

70

Weisberg Concert,
have become major
musical events in
the Detroit Jewish
community.
The cantor's wife
of 43 years, Dr.
Sherry Najman, is a
former Detroit
Public Schools
teacher. She now is
district instructional
specialist, developing
and implementing
curriculum for
teachers. She also
mentors teachers at
Marygrove College.
She finds time to
volunteer for
numerous organiza-
tions and is on the
board of the Jewish
Home and Aging
Services Auxiliary.
Their children
will attend the Israel
Bond dinner: Yehuda and Dr. Naomi
Najman of New Jersey; Drs. Hindy
Najman and Paul Franks of Toronto;
Dina and James Najman-Licht and
Cantor Daniel and Aviva Najman of
New York. Several of their 10 grandchil-
dren will also attend.
"The most fulfilling thing for me as a
cantor is to officiate at a wedding of a
woman who was a student in our
Shaarey Zedek school system, sang in
our choir, studied with me and had a
bat mitzvah," said Cantor Najman.
"That's a real accomplishment and it
gives me a feeling of indescribable joy.
"I'd like to see Shaarey Zedek regain
some of its past glory as a leader in the
community and in the Conservative
movement ... by placing greater empha-
sis on more substance within our syna-
gogue program, such as advanced Torah
study for day school graduates and
adults. We also need more focus on the
issues of world Jewry, and even the non-
Jewish community."
In regard to the recent changes at
Shaarey Zedek developed by the syna-
gogue administration and a new team of
young rabbis, Cantor Najman com-
mented: "There's a new interaction
between us on the bimah, which
encourages greater participation by the
congregation in the service. Our ritual
director, Leonard Gutman, plays an
important role in the services through-
out the year. There's a new spirit of
openness among the congregants and
the synagogue leadership; and there is
recognition that more options are avail-
able in worship, in study and in overall

observance — all within the boundaries
of the Conservative movement."
Rabbi Joseph Krakoff, captain of
the rabbinical team, said, "I salute
Cantor Najman for his willingness to
be open to changes in our services to
encourage more participation by the
congregation. I've learned a lot from
the chazzan during my seven years
on the bimah with him. He and
Sherry richly deserve to be honored
at our Israel Bond dinner. They've
put their heart and souls into many
years of dedicated service to Shaarey
Zedek."

❑

For more information on the Israel
Bond Dinner hOnoring the
Najmans, call Congregation
Shaarey Zedek at (248) 357-5544.

Bingo Donor Event Set

Bingo with a Jewish twist will take
place at Adat Shalom Synagogue
Wednesday, May 4. The sisterhood
donor event will begin with a catered
dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded throughout
the evening. Brad Holcman and Jay

Holcman and Greenberg

Greenberg will serve as celebrity bingo
callers. They are involved in Reality
Cares, a group of reality show celebs
who appear at fund-raisers for non-
profit organizations throughout the
country.
The event will honor the memory of
Brad's grandmother, Charlotte Edelheit,
an active sisterhood member who
chaired Donor Days and other Adat
Shalom Sisterhood programs. The
evening will be chaired by Janis
Holcman of Farmington Hills.
Anyone 18 years and older is invited.
There is a $40 per person minimum
charge to attend.
For information, call Adat Shalom
Synagogue, (248) 851-5100.