Spirituality

Welcome Back, Cantor

Ex-Shaarey Zedek Cantor Reuven Frankel, now a rabbi, to be feted at reunion.

Bill Carroll
Special to the Jewish News

R

eunions usually are for
families, high school
and college classmates,
fraternity and sorority members.
But Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
Southfield has come up with some-
thing different: a rabbi reunion.
It's not for all the living rabbis
in the synagogue's illustrious 147-
year history; it's just for one, Rabbi
Reuven Frankel — who wasn't
even a rabbi, but a young cantor
when he served Shaarey Zedek
from 1957-1967. He was an associ-
ate with Cantor Jacob Sonenlclar,
then returned later for one year
as an associate with Cantor Jacob
Barkin. After leaving Michigan for
several more stints as a cantor, he
became a rabbi in the Chicago area
at the age of 45.
Rabbi Frankel, now 78, left his
mark on Shaarey Zedek members
and endeared himself to many
people in the Detroit area Jewish commu-
nity in general. They will gather to honor
him at the Rabbi/Cantor Reuven Frankel
Shabbaton Honor Reunion Saturday,
June 28, at Shaarey Zedek. Under the
auspices of the synagogue's Men's Club,
the reunion will feature a Shabbat service
and luncheon in the morning and ser-
vices, a dinner and special "Comedy and
Camaraderie" program in the evening. The
services will be conducted by some of his
former students.

Trained Young Prayer Leaders
"Reuven Frankel was instrumental in the
education of hundreds of children in all
areas of synagogue services; through his
caring and loving manner with children,
he undertook the responsibility of training
them to conduct religious services any-
where said Leonard Baruch of Southfield,
who is co-chairman of the reunion with
Stephen Korn of Northville.
"He was dedicated and inspirational
and had a tremendous influence on their
lives. These 'children' are now in their 50s
and 60s and live throughout the United
States — and many have continued their
Jewish studies and become rabbis and
cantors!'
Added Korn: "He was the ultimate role

model for these students; he was like
a pied piper whom they followed and
respected and loved as they learned. They
have warm and fond memories of the
time he spent with them. He even played
baseball with them after school and par-
ticipated in all synagogue activities with
the youngsters and their families.
"But he was very tough and demand-
ing as a teacher. He insisted that you had
to be pretty good if you wanted to read
the Torah on Shabbat. In fact, my mother
would take me to his house on Friday to
sort of audition for him to show him I was
capable of reading the Torah the next day!'
With the assistance of his wife, Penina,
who was a Shaarey Zedek teacher, Cantor
Frankel organized several youth choirs
there. "He wore many hats at Shaarey
Zedek, but teaching young students always
has been his main passion:' she said.
Since the invitation to the June 28
event was mailed, Baruch and Korn have
received many e-mails and letters from
former students expressing delight to hear
about the reunion and they plan to attend,
said Baruch. "This includes people in
California, Florida and New York. We're all
looking forward to a full day of camarade-
rie and reminiscing!'

the Torah at synagogues.
One time, I read the
Torah in front of a highly
respected rabbi, and he
became so nervous that
he passed out. He and
everyone else were really
impressed by my reading,
though."
Frankel continued at
the yeshivah when the
family moved to New
York and he also studied
at a Cleveland yeshivah.
He attended Brooklyn
College, but obtained
a B.A. degree and a
master's in music from
Detroit's Wayne State
University.
He studied at the
Cantors Institute at
the Jewish Theological
Left: Rabbi Reuven and Penina Frankel.
Seminary in New York
Right: Then-Cantor Frankel at Shaarey Zedek
City, and held cantorial
in the 1960s.
positions at synagogues
in Chattanooga, Tenn.,
and Albany, N.Y. before settling back in
The Rabbi's Story
Chicago.
But Rabbi Frankel has some trepidations
After completing rabbinical studies at
about the event. "I'm overwhelmed:' he
the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie,
exclaimed from his Deerfield, Ill., home.
Ill., he served at North Suburban Beth El
"I can't imagine why they want to do this
Synagogue in Highland Park as rabbi for
although I'm very appreciative. I know I'll
10 years, then joined the newly formed
be very tense emotionally the entire day!"
Congregation B'nai Tikvah in Deerfield
He says his years at Shaarey Zedek had
where he remained for 20 years until retir-
a "big impact" on him: "It was a very cre-
ing in 1999.
ative time in my life."
He calls that synagogue "a new frontier
He has kept in touch with some of his
for Judaism:' adding: "I think the heart
former students through phone calls,
and soul of a synagogue is the Shabbat
letters, and e-mail and by returning to
service. The Shabbat has all of the spiri-
Shaarey Zedek at times to attend sim-
tual, cultural and social elements of a
chahs.
synagogue; you cannot fully appreciate a
Born in Jerusalem, Reuven Frankel
congregation without a Shabbat. Judaism
came to America in 1939 and the family
is a great gift, and we have a mission to
lived in Chicago and New York where he
bring the message of Judaism to our chil-
studied at yeshivot.
dren, and, indeed, to the world!'
"I took a cue from my father, who was a
He and Penina have been married for
wonderful singer; and I used to sing and
55 years and have three sons and three
dance on tables:' he recalls.
grandchildren.
"At 17, I got paid $5 a week to read

❑

The Rabbi/Cantor Reuven Frankel Shabbaton Honor Reunion will be held
Saturday, June 28, at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. A morning
service, then a luncheon hosted by Beverly Baker, will be followed by a dinner
at 7 p.m. and a "Comedy and Camaraderie" program. Full day cost is $70 per
person. For reservations and further information, call the synagogue, (248)
357-5544.

June 19 • 2008

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