In l976 I entered a classroom full of hopes and dreams, hoping to study with Prof. Elie Wiesel at Boston University and dreaming of singing a Yiddish song for him, and even better, with him. Who knew that this classroom would lead to a lifetime of meaningful study, song and the cantorate?
When the classroom was overflowing with eager students, Professor Wiesel had to somehow choose who would be in his class, a task he was reluctant to do. He asked us to write on a note card the reasons why we wanted to take his class. I remember writing something about being from a family of cantors, wanting to share my love of Jewish music and Judaism, learn more about the Holocaust and my family’s history, and share this with Jewish children someday. (In l976 being a traditional woman cantor wasn’t an option.) His response to me changed my life, “ My door will always be open to you.”
This article was originally published on Forward.com. To read more visit, https://forward.com/scribe/346614/how-elie-wiesel-taught-me-to-sing-the-miracle-of-jewish-survival/
Leave a Reply