Richard Kent
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I am an American citizen, born in Colombia, South America in
June 1938. Have lived in Rhodesia (1962-1977), Israel
(1977-1992), and USA (1992-2009) and presently retired. I am
married, and have 2 daughters and 3 grand-children. Besides
writing, I pass my time in Stamp Collecting and reading.
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New Title(s) from Richard Kent
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When the voice of a Jewish Cantor
becomes the most lovable musical sound in all Europe, the
Russian ministers are envious of his relationship with the Tsar,
and because of their anti-Semitism develop a plot to involve the
Cantor to fall in disgrace with the Tsar.
He loses his home in a Pogrom. His wife is killed and his
daughter is saved by a kind neighbor. The girl is sick and the
Cantor is refused assistance by the authorities or the Jewish
congregation because they think of him as a drunkard. After
begging for days, he is promised help for his daughter only
after he completes the agreed High Holidays services in the
Synagogue. However, his daughter dies during the service and the
congregation is ashamed because of the distrust they showed the
Cantor, who leaves Russia for the United States where he settles
in a grateful community.
Excerpt
Word Count: 3080
Pages to Print: 14
File Format: PDF
Price: $2.99 |
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| Excerpts |
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| The
Cantor |
It was Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and the Synagogue at
Borough Park was packed to capacity. The word had gotten around
that a new Cantor was to lead the congregation in the prayers
during the High Holidays. A Cantor who had just arrived not but
a month ago, and was known to be one of the most celebrated
Cantors of Europe was hired for the occasion. His fame had
preceded him, and the congregation was yearning to hear him sing
the sacred prayers. There was not a vacant seat, and people
stood even outside of the hall, just to hear and see him.
As the prayers started, the Cantor dressed in white, led the
people with a sonorous and melodic voice that surprised them; no
one had heard him before. The congregation was ecstatic in their
joy to have the Cantor leading them.
After the evening prayers, the president of the congregation
approached the Cantor and congratulated him on his magnificent
voice and leadership of the prayers. He invited the Cantor to
his home, to join him and his family in the traditional New Year
dinner. The Cantor refused at first, but at the insistence of
the president, he relented and with gratitude joined the family
for the occasion.
As the Cantor sat with the family around the table full of all
kinds of food and sweets, a tear ran down his face. He brushed
it away, thinking no one had noticed, and blessed the wine and
bread as they started to eat the dinner. As the president was
conversing with the Cantor, the smallest of the children turned
to her mother and said, “Why doesn’t the man smile? He was
crying before. He is not eating much; is he sick?”
“Don’t ask silly things, Hanna. He is a stranger in our home and
he might be shy. Just eat your dinner,” answered the mother.
As they finished their dinner, the children were asked to leave,
but little Hanna remained at the table staring at the Cantor.
Suddenly she cried, “Look Ma, he is crying again!”
The mother felt embarrassed and removed the child from the
table, apologizing to the Cantor. The president, taking hold of
the Cantor’s arm, led him to the study. After settling down with
a glass of wine, he repeated his wife’s apology for the child’s
behavior.
The Cantor replied with a sad voice, “No, it is I who must
apologize. I should never have accepted your invitation, as I
knew it would affect me once I sat with your family.”
“But why?” asked the president, “is my family harmful to you?”
“No, your family have made this night delightful, and little
Hanna has made my heart joyful, remembering my own little
daughter.”
“I didn’t know you have a family” said the president. “I’m
sorry, I thought you were alone; otherwise I would have invited
your family, as well.”
“Yes, I am alone. My family died in Russia, and remembering them
tonight has brought the tears to my eyes. I apologize for that,”
said the Cantor.
“You must not apologize for being sentimental. It’s
understandable that you are saddened by your loss,” the
president said in a quiet voice. “Tell me about your family, I
would like to know more about you.”
“It is not a happy story,” said the Cantor, with fresh tears in
his eyes.
“Please, tell me about them and about your life in Russia. Where
you were born and what you did there,” continued the president.
“After all, you are now one of us.” |
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