OCTOBER 21 • 2021 | 15
questions or concerns to the
best of my ability and within
my knowledge,
” Gutman
said. “I always was truthful
with them, and I felt that was
very important to establish
and continue relationships,
which is the name of the game.
Relationships are so important.
”
Dr. Richard Brown, former
CSZ president, has known
Gutman since he started,
becoming close with him not
only in synagogue life, but
personally as well.
“He’s kind, caring and
professional in his synagogue-
related activities, and those
qualities carry over into his
personal life,
” Brown said.
“He took his profession home
with him. That’s the way he was
with everybody and still is.
”
Brown believes Gutman’s
legacy at CSZ will be a respect
in quality of performance and a
respect from all the members.
‘TRUE PROFESSIONAL
’
“
A true professional. Always
available, always there, every
morning and night. When you
had an issue, it came before
everything else,
” Dr. Brown said.
An example of Gutman’s
kindness, he was famous for
making sure congregants
weren’t alone on a holiday.
Kathleen Brown, a Shaarey
Zedek congregant, remembers
a time Gutman extended his
generous hand when she was
a widow, and before she got
remarried to Dr. Brown.
“Cantor Gutman asked where
I was going for the holidays,
and I said I’m not really sure.
He said, ‘Well I’m sure and
you’re coming to my home.
’ He
said, ‘You’ll come here every
holiday every year and if you
have somewhere else to go,
you’ll tell me, but until then,
you’re going to be our family
now,
’” Brown said.
“There were also other people
they took in their home on the
holidays, new widows, older
people who didn’t have family,
and he would personally ask
them where they would be.
”
Dr. Brown added, “That
sums it all up. That’s the kind of
person he is. He kept his word
because we have been going
there together ever since.
”
Cantor Gutman helps
Max Young with bar
mitzvah preparation.
Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.
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