Cantor Isaiah M. Grama

When I first came to Fairfield to work as the Hazzan for the pulpit and the Rabbi for the school, at Beth El in 1999, Cantor Grama was the guy who called and said, “Hey Shaul, welcome to town, common, I will take you out for lunch and we’ll shmooze, how about it?” Before I had a chance to answer, he said, “OK, good, meet me at the diner at 1.” When I arrived, several other colleagues were there with him. When he thought they were asking me too many questions, he intervened, “would you...

Cantor Grama was a friend, a teacher, and like a father to me. He will always live in the hearts of his friends and family, and will never be forgotten.

Our sincere condolences to the Grama family. Cantor Grama defined the measure of a man.

Our fondest memories are of his melodious voice during family trips back to Connecticut.

It was shocking to learn of this great loss! I had just spoken to Shaya recently and he sounded wonderful which is what he really was .. a wonderful ,caring, and loving person his friendship and presence at our families functions made them "wonderful" His words of wisdom helped sooth the souls during family losses. I remember clearly how my mothers face would light up when Shaya visited her at the Jewish Home..I know for sure it gave her reason to live another day.and I know he made a...

Cantor Grama prayed for his people to the heavens. Now it is he who has reached heaven. He was a wonderful friend and mentor.

Cantor and Mrs. Arthur Mayer

Cantor Grama officiated at my bat mitzvah and saw my family through many happy times- he was an amazing man- always happy and friendly! A loss to us all.

Eulogy For Y’shaya Grama
Shaul Marshall Praver
Representing The Cantors Assembly
Sunday, October 14, 2007


Baruch Dayan Ha’emet
Blessed be the true Judge.

Those are the words we said when we got the shocking news that our beloved Cantor Y’shaya Grama suddenly died.

He was loved and adored by not only his wife
And children, but by every one of us assembled here today.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emet
Blessed be the true Judge.

Let’s talk about what...

To speak of Cantor Grama is to speak of a man with profound and limitless love – a love of Jewish music, Jewish life, and, above all, a love for our children whom he mentored with humor and respect.

My children, now grown, often reminisce about the infamous “tapes” that each Bar and Bat Mitzvah student took home to learn. At the close of one, Cantor Grama added (in his distinctive dialect), “Study hahd dahling!” And she did! Cantor’s wondrous work with our children is his...