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June 26, 2009
Temple Sholom tribute
Among the gifts to the Guttmans – a parking spot.
DEENA LEVENSTEIN
After 20 years, Arthur Guttman is retiring as cantorial soloist at Temple Sholom. He and his wife, Glenda, have been an integral part of the community since 1966 and the couple was honored at the synagogue's annual gala on June 7.
Tobin Robbins, the long-standing president of the synagogue, was one of the first speakers of the evening. He made special mention of the event committee and specifically commended the chair of that committee, Jack Lutsky.
Robbins also spoke of the target for this year's fundraiser, which was $100,000. They surpassed that, he said, noting that this was especially important considering that the shul had just recorded a deficit.
The synagogue's spiritual leader, Rabbi Philip Bregman, told the crowd of approximately 550 that it was a "righteous" deficit. "It means that we didn't overspend," he said. "We opened up our doors to individuals and families who couldn't pay at a certain level but wanted to come in and we welcomed them. And we welcomed their children into our religious school with open arms."
Joan Stuchner, who teaches at Temple Sholom Religious School, also said a few words. In her remarks, she said that, when she asked Arthur Guttman what was most significant for him during his time as cantor, he mentioned, among other things, sharing the bimah with Bregman and learning from the rabbi. Guttman also mentioned the great joy he got from working with the bar and bat mitzvah students, "giving them confidence and in his words, making sure that their experience was a positive spiritual adventure," Stuchner said.
For her part, Glenda Guttman, many years ago, took on the role of making the synagogue's guests feel comfortable by offering them a greeting, a smile and a prayer book. In addition, Bregman said, "The truth is that Arthur could not do what he does and I could not do what I do, without the support of our eshet chayils, our women of valor, who are there behind us, supporting us and making sure that things are just right when we get called."
Bregman and Robbins presented the Guttmans with a number of gifts: a bicycle-chain sculpture of a "Fiddler on the Roof" made by Ivan Gasoi, a Temple Sholom member; a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer train; and, most importantly, Bregman said, "your parking spot as our cantor emeritus of our synagogue," a present that evoked laughter and applause from the audience.
The Guttmans were visibly touched. "From very full hearts, we want to say toda raba, thank you very, very much, to our own family, to our temple family and to the many friends who have joined us tonight from near and far," said Arthur Guttman.
The speeches were followed by a jazz show by Nikki Yanofsky, a 15-year-old Jewish singer from Montreal. Yanofsky, backed by 10 musicians, moved around on stage with energy, singing with a strong, full voice that belied her young age and showed great talent and professionalism. She began her performance with the upbeat "Take the A Train" and sang many songs, including "God Bless the Child" by Billie Holiday, a mambo and a song by Jimi Hendrix. Her encore included a powerfully sung "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Yanofsky, who's been nominated for two Juno Awards and is in the midst of recording her first studio album with producer Phil Ramone, received a standing ovation.
There were many reasons to come to the gala this year: to pay tribute to the Guttmans, to hear Yanofsky's performance and, as Bregman said to those present, to express "the commitment you and many others have made to this beit knesset, to this synagogue, to show support to the Temple Sholom community."
Deena Levenstein is a freelance writer from Toronto, Jerusalem and now Vancouver. Find her online at deenascreations.com.
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