So, at his funeral service, which I didn’t attend because Sharon and I were out of town and didn’t know about it, the presiding Rabbi said God didn’t take Cantor Sapir, he took himself.
Why? I don’t know. I wish I knew before he did it. Many wish they did, too. Could we have helped him? Who knows? Everyone must make their own decision when to live and when to die. Some may need to be told how much they are loved.
I didn’t know him well or for so long. We were the same age, almost. I envisioned growing old with him, learning more about all the things he knew: music, humor, talmud and the meaning of life. I don’t have many friends; he could have been one.
Cantor’s voices connect prayers with God. Efrain loved to sing in Temple, using melodies to rid the congregants of self-consciousness, elevating their thoughts and minds to holy places. He’d pause between some phrases to look out into the audience, listening for proof he had connected, him to them and them to the angels. He once told me that he had observed me banging my prayer book on a pew during a prayer and that I had used an alternative beat. I sit in the last row; how observant.
We did a photo shoot in my studio, a formal shot for the hallway and the Temple Anshei Shalom bulletin. It took two hours. He was dressed perfectly, hair groomed, suit/shirt/tie selected for the occasion. We exchanged stories, listened to cantorial music and played with the lights. During one song by a noted Cantor, he explained the guy was just singing nonsense words, because the music was so beautiful and he wanted to sing along. I told him, after the shoot, how handsome he was and what a joy it was to photograph him. He said he never saw himself as being so good looking and that my images made him very happy.
The shot of him holding the Torah after the reading was the last shot of him. Taken two weeks before his death at Morning Minyan, it is not my usual kind of photograph. He isn’t looking at the camera and really doesn’t know or care I am in front of him. I usually go for the head, but I was drawn to his hands and the words on the Torah cover. You can see the joy in his heart, his love of Torah and feelings for humanity.
The Photo Gods helped me shoot this image. I wish God had helped me with fix his self image. He was a beautiful man, a significant man. My life will be less without him. You see, sometimes it isn’t how long you know someone but how well.
Ephraim was one of my Mentors – I was devastated hearing the news. He taught me while I was the Hazzan Sheini at B’Nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton, FL. I always found him to be a kind; compassionate man who not only had an amazing amount of knowledge on Hazzanut, Hebrew, and Judaism, he was also always willing to guide and teach. I was initially told that he had Heart Failure. I think that was the story everyone was stating as the truth was too painful for all of us left behind. Knowing the truth still leaves us all questioning ourselves and our relationships, whether close or student like myself who moved on to become a Hazzan in another State – those of us who were touched by this gentle musical Man of G-d. We can only hope that his soul is in peace, and that whatever his reasons were he can now be at peace.
Lovely
Thank you. I am one of his sons.
A year later almost and it still hurts.
Yoni. We all still miss him, too.
Thanks! How can we get prints of the pics please?
Cantor Sapir was friends of my wife and myself. My wife was executive director of Beth Tikvah in Toronto He made me a Shule goer and we went to his concerts. He mesmerized me with his warmth and comppsssion and humility. He is missed by us. Do you know how I can get his music.
Cantor Sapir was a dear friend, He was cantor at Bet Tikvah and my wife was executive director of the Shule at that time. His warmth and compassion for others were obvious. He was a popular Chassin and could lead a synagogue with his voice. He will be missed by us. Do,you know how Imcould obtain his music
I don’t know what happened to his things. I have images of his study and saw the notebooks which contained some musical notes. You would have to contact Anshei Shalom.
My life would be so much better had he lived.
I can get you a copy of two of his cd’s. I am one of his sons.
Please feel free to email me at
Ezzieaba@gmail.com
I would love to see the pics you have also.
Thanks
Yoni Sapir
Dear Mr. Duckman,
I have a large photo (something like 18x 11) that you took of my late father, Rabbi Tobias Rothenberg, that really captured him well. Could I order a smaller one from you?
I can be reached at the e-mail address below or via phone/text at 510-508-2222.
BTW- I also think you captured Cantor Sapir well. As I live in California, I only saw him a few times a year but remember him as kind, personable and engaged when we met.
Thanks.
Sheldon Rothenberg
Dear Yoni,
Huge and belated condolences on the passing of your father.
It was a special privilege singing in the Beth Tikvah choir with Srul conducting and your dad’s beautiful voice leading us,
harmonizing with us, carrying us.
Chazan Sapir gave it his all and was dedicated, gentle and talented. He and Srul seemed to have a very special positive collaboration.
Heartfelt regards,
Jennifer