Cantor Martin Feldman, Cantor Emeritus
Our beloved "sweet singer of Zion"
Music has always been a part of the life of our cantor emeritus, Cantor Martin Feldman. Born into a musical family in Newark, New Jersey, he often sang in Orthodox synagogue choirs as a young boy.
Cantor Feldman attended Montclair State Teachers College and received a vocal scholarship from the David Mannes School of Music in New York City. In 1958, he was ordained from Hebrew Union College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sacred music. He also received a certificate qualifying him to be a religious school principal.
In 1960, after serving Congregation Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, New York, Cantor Feldman came west to become cantor of Congregation Sherith Israel, where he served for 43 years. He is a past president of the Northern California Board of Cantors and has served on the National Board of the American Conference of Cantors. Cantor Feldman received a vocal scholarship from the Opera Department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1965, as well as an honorary doctorate in music from Hebrew Union College in New York City in 1998.
More than 1,500 bar- and bat-mitzvah students, including hundreds of adults, honed their skills studying with Cantor Feldman, and hundreds of weddings were made that much sweeter with the addition of his beautiful voice. About singing in Sherith Israel’s historic sanctuary, Cantor Feldman says, “To chant in the sanctuary was always a spiritual experience. With the music, the dome and the art work telling the story of our people, one blends in and becomes part of thousands of years of Jewish tradition.”
Cantor Feldman and his wife, Nancy, have two adult children and six grandchildren.
The musical life of this congregation and the San Francisco Jewish community have been immeasurably enriched by Cantor Feldman. He continues to participate in lifecycle ceremonies. Since retiring, he has often officiated on cruise ships during the holidays, which has allowed the Feldmans to travel the world. When the Feldmans are in San Francisco, he often participates in High Holy Day services at Sherith Israel.
In June 2008, Cantor Feldman celebrated his 80th birthday and his 50th year as a cantor at a festive Shabbat service that filled the sanctuary with warm feelings and beautiful music. “I am thankful to God for the privilege of chanting the liturgy of our people in our magnificent sanctuary,” comments Cantor Feldman. L’Chaim!
