A Musical Tribute

In the exquisite surroundings of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), a 600 plus audience was treated to performances by some of the world’s finest Chazanut, accompanied by musicians from the Northern Chamber Orchestra, in honour of a man who selflessly put the spiritual welfare of others first for over forty years.

In addition, he was the head of a dynasty of musicians unlike many in the musical world: his sons, nephews, grandchildren, and grandnephews all came together to sing with Chazan Israel Nachman, a young global superstar among 21st century Chazanim. Two separate choirs, the Jewish Male Voice Choir and the Sameach Choir contributed to the wide variety of cantorial music, some familiar from the Yomim Tovim, and others specially arranged by Tim Dempsey, whose experience as a Choir Master and Composer was honed by his leadership of the Whitefield Synagogue Choir for almost 20 years.

Concert Committee Chairman Mr Avram Bishop explained the reason for this heartfelt tribute to Phillip Rose, saying that he had, for forty years supported, led, and engaged with the congregation of the synagogue services at Heathlands Village: "His love of the congregants knew no bounds… He was always ready to help any resident who came through the doors, making space, putting on their tallit and welcoming them.

"His home was full of music, but his particular love was for Chazanut and therefore Tim Dempsey's arrangements of some of the pieces would have provided special delight." It certainly did to the audience, many of whom were moved to tears and, occasionally, radiant smiles at the way in which this tribute to Phillip Rose was conducted.

The second half of the concert began with a lively Niggun accompanied by the Sameach Choir which reverberated around the hall, followed by two beautiful, accompanied pieces by Shimon Craimer. Three traditional pieces sung by Chazan Nachman – in which he encouraged the male part of the audience to join him –preceded his grandson and grandnephew’s penultimate contribution 'T'filas Chuppah' which would have brought tears to his eyes.

Mr Bernard Yaffe, Chairman of The

Fed, gave a vote of thanks to all who had participated in this outstanding tribute to a beloved member of Manchester's community and to the RNCM for their particularly exacting expertise in the arrangement of the event.

Talking to one of the organisers afterwards I learned that the Northern Chamber Orchestra had not come into contact with Jewish cantorial music before and had made several adjustments to accommodate it. If so, it didn’t show, and many present echoed the committee’s wish that similar events would be held in the future.

It was July 2006 when I left home for Gateshead Yeshiva at age 17. I relished the experience and felt like a true grown-up. However, I always found that Friday nights after the meal were challenging – I missed my family at that warm and cosy time of the week. Being honest, I never shared my secret as I felt it would be a blow to my inflated ego. The years passed, I moved to Jerusalem to continue my studies, and unfortunately the Friday night loneliness came along with me. Exactly 12 years ago, things changed when I got engaged. I remember that first Friday night back in Yeshiva after our engagement; the loneliness hit and I took out a letter that Sephy had written from under my pillow. I can still feel the closeness and warmth that enveloped me as I read it again and again. My loneliness left. Forever.

Pesach has Matzah, Sukkot has the Sukka, Lulav and Etrog, Shavuot has …? The only real thing we seem to do aside from the annual cheesecake fress is to stay up on Shavuot evening, learning Torah. Why?

King Louis XIV once had a discussion with the famous 17th century Roman Catholic philosopher and mathematician,