Koret, Arthur_1973/6/13, Oral History

Subjects of interview include: Musical influences, mother, wife, children Cantors, choirs, records, festivals, radio

GREATER HARTFORD JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION

Tape No.: 50 No. of Tapes: Name of Interviewee: Koret, Arthur Date of Interview: June 13, 1973 Occupation: Cantor Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Hartford, CT Transcript (yes/no): Yes No. of Pages: 28

Abstract: Cantor Koret described the house in which he was born and the various homes his family had occupied in Hartford. He went to Hartford High School and then to Trinity College. His mother was a great influence in his life, requesting, on her deathbed, that he become a cantor although his initial interest was in opera and concert. He praised the excellent music training he received in the Hartford schools under the direction of the superintendent of music, Ralph Baldwin. He was a tenor soloist in choirs directed by Julius Epstein, and then under Cantor Rodsvillav, who had been a great cantor in Odessa and now was at Agudas Achim Synagogue in 1936.

In response to a request to talk about the cantors who had performed in Hartford, Cantor Koret related his research in this area. In early days cantors had to add to their salary by being shochets, mohels, scribes, etc. It is only in the last 25 years that due to the efforts of the Cantors Association of America, cantors have been able to earn a good living. Cantors at Ados Israel were Israel Baumstein, Mayer Cohn (early 1900’s), grandfather of Joseph Cohn, who is at Beth El Temple (1950s), Paul Discound at Emanuel (1921-1930), who was a great composer and wrote music for Rosenblatt and Kvartin. Abraham Greenberg was the first cantor of Agudas Achim at the beginning of the century. Theodore Ginsberg was the cantor of Beth Israel for a few years beginning in 1870 and then became cantor of Rodeph Sholom and subsequently became very prominent in New York circles.

Simon Greenberg served in several orthodox synagogues and died in 1959. He was a great authority in Lubovitch Hassidich melodies. Harris Koppelmann was cantor for 15 years at Ados Israel and also davened at Israel Akorets and Shaare Torah. Bernard Lippman was the scribe for the first Torah used by Ados Israel. His wife and sons were very generous in providing funds for the Yeshiva. Max Walberg was at the Emanuel for one year. He was the only cantor in the world to get an honorary doctorate degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary because he was so learned in Jewish studies and is on the faculty there. He was a great composer and a past president of the Cantors Assembly. Emanuel is the only synagogue to have two presidents of the Cantors Assembly. Eli Fishman was at Beth David for 15 years and now is a rabbi in New Jersey. About one-third of the cantors in the Cantors Assembly are ordained rabbis. Cantor Pollack was at Agudas Achim for 15 years. Israel Tabatsky was at Beth Sholom in Manchester. Jacob Barron was cantor at Ados Israel. Louis Rosen was cantor in New Britain for 24 years before he went to New York. Sholom Nelson was in New Britain for a few years before he left for New York. Nat Cramer was indirectly responsible for the start of the Connecticut Opera Company when he sang in an opera under the direction of Pandolfe.

Cantor Koret spoke of the career he had before he became a cantor. He was very successful in sales and promotions for Columbia Records while he continued part time in his choir work. His feeling for the synagogue became stronger, and he became cantor of Emanuel on March 1, 1949. He made recordings of Jewish liturgy for Columbia. He was very active in organizing and directing the successful Jewish Music Festivals for many years. He also had a radio program for 19 years called “The Jewish Life.” He organized concerts to raise money for the Jewish Cantors Institute and was given an award for his work by the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has sung on several TV networks and was on a TV program with Elie Weisel, called “The Jewish Silence.”

Cantor Koret has been married for 33 years to Beatrice Teicher, and has three children: Robert, Jerry and Deborah and two foster children, Donald and Arlene Stolberg. Donald is a cantor.

Subject Index: Cantorate Civic Activities (in the Jewish community) Civic Leadership (in the Jewish community) Community Activities (in the Jewish community) Community Leadership (in the Jewish community) Entertainers Mohels Music Musicians Oral History Rabbinate Synagogues – see also individual synagogues Emanuel Synagogue Israel Akorets Synagogue Jewish Theological Seminary