THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9505270160
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 138 lines
ISAAC DANKER KNEW from an early age that he was destined to become a cantor.
But he had no idea that the journey he would take to realize that destiny would at times be dangerous and lead him far from home.
Now, as he prepares to retire after 20 years as the cantor for Norfolk's Temple Israel, Danker has come to realize that God's plan for him had to do with spreading a message of faith.
``I brought the message of Israel to the United States,'' explained Danker, 69, a Jerusalem native. ``When I'm reading the scrolls, I know what every word means because the (Hebrew) language is natural for me.
``The message comes from here,'' he adds, pointing to his heart. ``It's from inside.''
The retiring cantor grew up in Jerusalem, the second son of Orthodox Jewish parents with nine children. Singing the liturgy for temple services and holiday celebrations had been a tradition in his family. Both his father and grandfather were lay cantors, and Danker, who loved to sing as a boy, yearned to follow in their footsteps.
His elders discovered the boy's talents at an early age. After just a year of singing as a choir soloist, at age 8 Danker began taking lessons at one of the most prestigious cantorial institutions in the world, Jerusalem's Shirat Israel. Soon, he was training other children for their bar mitzvahs.
It seemed his life's path would be a smooth one.
But by his teen years, Danker had become disillusioned with many of the Orthodox customs his strict parents practiced. Gradually, he began to feel that the way to worship God was as a family, with brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sitting in temple, together, not segregated in separate sections by gender. His father understood his new ideas; his mother did not. Afraid to hurt his mother, yet torn by his convictions, Danker began sneaking off to attend services at a reformed temple.
``My mother didn't understand,'' he recalled. ``I didn't want to hurt her, but at 15, already I knew it's not for me.''
Not long afterward, history interceded. Living in Palestine on the cusp of World War II, the Holocaust and the establishment of the Jewish state of Israel, Danker felt compelled to ``do something extraordinary with his life.''
He joined the Jewish Brigade of the British Army. Before long, he was helping to smuggle displaced European Jews into Palestine. It's a period in his life, he stresses, he'll never forget.
``These people didn't know where to go, so we gathered them from Europe and took them back to Palestine on the black market,'' he said. ``Once, I took some back on a train with forged passports and fake identities, using my friends' documents. It was very dangerous . . . the British were looking for smugglers. But we had to save people.''
During his military service, Danker continued to cantor at synagogues where he was stationed.
``I was always involved in it, because I loved cantoring,'' he said.
After World War II and the Israeli war of independence, Danker took a job as clinic administrator in the new government's health department. Later, he became actively involved in Israeli politics and eventually was elected a labor leader, representing city hall, bank and hospital employees.
But singing religious liturgy in synagogue was his first love.
``I was always involved in cantoring . . . but part-time,'' Danker explained. ``You can't make a living cantoring in Israel. The language there is Hebrew. Everybody speaks it, so they don't need cantors professionally. A lot of people sing voluntary.''
Eventually, he came to realize that his future was in America.
``The conservative movement there was exactly matching me,'' he explained. ``I thought I'd come for a few years to see what America is all about.''
In 1970, at age 44, he left his wife and young sons behind in Israel and traveled to the United States to explore a new livelihood and way to worship. The only English he could speak was the little he had learned in school.
After six months in the United States on his own, he decided to go home. But his wife, Rebecca, an accomplished artist, urged him to stay.
``Her eyes were opened for the art,'' he said with a grin. ``She liked it here very much, especially New York.''
The couple decided to relocate their family to the United States. Within weeks of their move, Danker had landed his first position with an American congregation, cantoring for High Holy Day services at a temple near Boston. Not long afterward, he was offered a permanent assignment at a synagogue in Newport News. He stayed there until 1975, when he left to become cantor at Temple Israel. He has been with the Norfolk congregation ever since.
As the ``right hand'' of the four different rabbis who have served with him, Danker has been happy during his 20-year tenure at the temple on Granby Street.
``Here in America, cantors are involved in the whole life cycle, from birth to funeral,'' he explained. ``People don't know the Hebrew language so much, so we're the spiritual guides and inspiration.''
In particular, he said he has most enjoyed working with the hundreds of children in the temple. Danker figures he has prepared at least 350 children for their bat and bar mitzvahs.
``Not one has failed,'' he said proudly. ``To me, that's the most important part of my job, the children. This was always my pride. They are the future. I've always tried to involve them in every service. It gives them confidence.''
His decision to retire in June, while ``still in order,'' is partly to make way for younger leadership in the temple. But personally, he now yearns for some flexibility in his life. In particular, he wants to be able to visit his three sons and seven grandchildren, who all live in Israel, for long periods.
``I want my own time now,'' he said. ``I don't want to be carried out of here.''
His last day at the temple will be June 30. In August, Yael Fishman, the area's first female cantor, will assume Danker's duties.
Eventually, the retiring cantor and his wife of 47 years may resettle in their native land, but for a while they'll commute between Norfolk and Jerusalem.
Although officially retired, Danker still plans to continue what he loves to do best: singing for Jewish congregations. Now, he'll just do it at a more relaxed pace. Already, he has received several engagements to sing this summer and fall for congregations on the East Coast during holidays.
``I don't think I'll ever stop singing,'' he said. ``I love it too much. I just want to slow down a bit.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Isaac Danker, a 69-year-old native of Jerusalem, is preparing to
retire after 20 years as the cantor at Temple Israel on Granby
Street.
IN HIS HONOR
Temple Israel will hold a weekend of special events, beginning
June 23, honoring retiring Cantor Issac Danker and his 20-year
tenure at the Norfolk synagogue.
During Friday evening services June 23, several temple members
will present rememberances of the cantor. Afterward, a reception and
several special presentations will be held.
The retiring cantor will participate in his final service at 9:30
a.m. Saturday morning. That night at 9, the temple will hold a
``Standing Ovation for Cantor Danker.'' Included on the program are
a wine and cheese reception, presentations, toasts and special
musical entertainment, including a program presented by the retiring
cantor. Throughout the evening's activities, a display of artwork by
Danker's wife, Rebecca, will be exhibited, as well as some
memorabilia and letters for the cantor.
For more information on the weekend celebration, contact the
temple at 489-4550. Temple Israel is located at 7255 Granby St.
by CNB