A Mid-Winter Vacation in Miami Beach
In January of 1970, I traveled to Miami Beach for a week’s vacation. What does a cantor do while on vacation on Shabbat? He goes to shul. I rented a car and drove to a Reform synagogue in North Miami Beach. Sure enough, it was Temple Sinai. I was warmly welcomed as a visitor. When they found out that I was a cantor, I was invited to sing the “Kiddush.” After the service, I was asked to join about eight other people at Sandy’s restaurant for an extended oneg. It was a delightful and impressive Sabbath evening, and I enjoyed it immensely.
A few days later, I received a phone call from Larry Zirn, the incoming and very personable president. At the time, they had a part-time soloist who was leaving. He offered me the position as cantor of Temple Sinai where congregational growth was taking place at a rapid pace. What was I to do? I was very content with my position in Teaneck, had an excellent relationship with Rabbi Sigel, and was serving as a substitute teacher at George Washington High School in Washington Heights. My family lived in various parts of the city, and I saw them often. Financially, I was doing quite well.
On the other hand, I loved the high temperatures prevalent in Florida. The winter of 1969- 1970 in Manhattan was filled with snow and ice and the temperatures were in the middle to high teens. Even my long thermal underwear did not protect me from the freezing cold. I was excited about the new position at Temple Sinai. Rabbi Ralph Kingsley attended Hebrew Union College as I did, and we had much in common. In addition, I just received my master’s degree in music. Maybe, the thought occurred to me, I could also get a position at Miami- Dade College that would not interfere with my responsibilities at the temple. I called Larry Zirn and accepted. Rabbi Louis Sigel from Temple Emeth in Teaneck was very sorry to see me leave and wrote me a beautiful letter which appeared in the temple bulletin.
It seems that Rabbi Sigel understood the attraction of the warm climate that Florida offered. My parents were not too happy about my accepting the position and leaving New York. I hoped that they would soon follow me and enjoy the sunny and enjoyable life that Miami Beach could offer them in the future.