A Circle Closed; A Heritage Passed

Isaac began his working life as a cantor in Romanian-ruled, pre-war Moldova.  When the Soviets seized the region, though, his career changed course: He was forced to abandon Jewish liturgy and devote his talents to opera.  But he never forgot his first love. 

Last Rosh Hashana, that love was finally restored, and by an unexpected source.  The young Jews of Kishinev’s Hillel student center were planning High Holiday services in the city and they needed someone to lead the prayers and help infuse the holiday with the richness of Jewish tradition – a tradition they longed to recapture, but were uncertain how.

Fifty miles away, Isaac fit the bill perfectly.  With JDC’s help, the students asked him to join them.  He agreed, but was skeptical: "How," he thought, "can they – almost children – raised in a time when all Jewish traditions were forgotten, organize such an important service?" 

Yet, he says, "a miracle happened."   More than 600 Jews – young and old – packed a Kishinev concert hall to rejoice in Isaac’s chazanut (cantorial prayers) and greet the New Year together, as a community.  "It turned out," says Isaac, "to be one of the most exciting days of my life."