William Franklin "Frank" Birnbaum (1922–2005) was a well-known 20th century chazzan within ConservativeJudaism in the United States. Serving congregations and performing concerts across America, his music was well known for its eclectic and melodious nature. As a tenor, his voice was widely acclaimed as one of the finest cantorial tenor voices in the latter half of the 20th century.
During World War II, Birnbaum fled his native home in Czechoslovakia and settled in Budapest.[1] In 1948, he went to the United States, where he settled in New York City and began his studies at Columbia University.[1]
Graduating from Columbia University in 1951, Birnbaum assumed a temporary position as Assistant to the Cantor at Central Synagogue in New York City. It soon became apparent that his vocal ability warranted a more permanent position, and he was subsequently made "Associate Cantor" of the synagogue. After serving Central Synagogue from 1951–1953, he assumed the position of chazzan at Congregation Shaare Zedek (New York City) from 1953–1957 and later Chevra Thilim in New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1957 to 1964. In 1959, he was inducted as a member of the Cantors Assembly of America.[2]
Birnbaum served as President and Placement Chairman of the Cantors Assembly for the Conservative movement.[citation needed] He was a proponent for the investiture of women as cantors within the Conservative movement and an advocate for liturgical reform, which led to the printing of Siddur Sim Shalom in 1985 with his good friend Rabbi Jules Harlow.
Referencesedit
^ abMattingly, Terry. "Cantor specializes in leading worship", The Charlotte News, March 15, 1983, page 11C.
frank, birnbaum, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, october, 2. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Frank Birnbaum news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2011 Learn how and when to remove this message William Franklin Frank Birnbaum 1922 2005 was a well known 20th century chazzan within Conservative Judaism in the United States Serving congregations and performing concerts across America his music was well known for its eclectic and melodious nature As a tenor his voice was widely acclaimed as one of the finest cantorial tenor voices in the latter half of the 20th century Ten Shabbat v Ten Shalom source source A 1973 recording of Cantor Frank Birnbaum performing Ten Shabbat v Ten Shalom at Rodeph Shalom Synagogue in Philadelphia Pennsylvania Problems playing this file See media help Avinu Malkeinu source source Birnbaum sings Avinu Malkeinu Problems playing this file See media help Contents 1 Life 2 Accomplishments 3 References 4 External linksLife editDuring World War II Birnbaum fled his native home in Czechoslovakia and settled in Budapest 1 In 1948 he went to the United States where he settled in New York City and began his studies at Columbia University 1 Graduating from Columbia University in 1951 Birnbaum assumed a temporary position as Assistant to the Cantor at Central Synagogue in New York City It soon became apparent that his vocal ability warranted a more permanent position and he was subsequently made Associate Cantor of the synagogue After serving Central Synagogue from 1951 1953 he assumed the position of chazzan at Congregation Shaare Zedek New York City from 1953 1957 and later Chevra Thilim in New Orleans Louisiana from 1957 to 1964 In 1959 he was inducted as a member of the Cantors Assembly of America 2 In 1973 he left his position as music director at a temple in Silver Springs Maryland to join the staff at Temple Israel in Charlotte North Carolina 3 In 1986 after serving 13 years at Temple Israel Birnbaum and his wife Minna moved to Plantation Florida where he held services at Temple Kol Ami 4 He died on September 12 2005 Accomplishments editBirnbaum served as President and Placement Chairman of the Cantors Assembly for the Conservative movement citation needed He was a proponent for the investiture of women as cantors within the Conservative movement and an advocate for liturgical reform which led to the printing of Siddur Sim Shalom in 1985 with his good friend Rabbi Jules Harlow References edit a b Mattingly Terry Cantor specializes in leading worship The Charlotte News March 15 1983 page 11C Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual Conference Convention PDF The Cantors Assembly of America and the Department of Music of the United Synagogue of America 1959 p 2 Archived from the original PDF on January 8 2013 Retrieved October 25 2011 Barnard Warren They Asked Right Questions So Cantor Picked Charlotte The Charlotte News September 8 1973 pages 1B and 20B Religion section Fort Lauderdale News Sun Sentinel August 22 1986 page 17 External links editFrank Birnbaum at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Frank Birnbaum amp oldid 1073098407, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
