Kurt Messerschmidt

Cantor was an enormously gifted person because he represented all the qualities of a superiorly kind, and admirable gentle man... We admired and knew he stood above the fray of prejudice...having been personally a witness to the devaluing of life by his captures...G-d blessed his congregation because he made each of us a better person...a kinder being... Sadly missed and revered...

The Cantor, as he was known to us....was a superhero, because he wore an invisible shield that offered always some tenderness, patience and enormous spiritual wisdom...whenever you were by his side....
His presence felt as if he had a secret power or deepest comprehension of how and when and where to state something, or answer a question....
He provided to others such a profound depth of human kindness...even though, he had not been given this in return during the madness of Nazi...

Hundreds of hours of beautiful music and kind directions and corrections ... shhhh quietly from the bimah to the choir loft ... many of my friends over the years and around the world have heard his beautiful voice off "crumbling" tape recordings and his and Sonja's miraculous stories. May they rest in peace.

I recall so many memories of Cantor Messerschmidt in my growing up years at Temple Beth El in Portland, Maine. There were the music classes in Hebrew school: Cantor Messerschmidt would always find us new Shabbat or holiday melodies to sing, often in two and three part harmony. He directed us in ambitious Hebrew school musical plays and inspired us to practice to perfection, much to the delight of our parents and friends. I remember the bumper crop of Bar Mitzvahs my year and his dedicated...

The tributes on TV to his remarkable life was inspiring.
This stuck with me: "Do not take anything for granted and measure your success not by what you have but by what you give."
Life lesson learned.
RIP...

We were fortunate enough to know Kurt for many years. He was the best of friends with our father and mother of blessed memory Jerry and Rochelle Slivka- Also known for constantly whipping me at ping pong in the basement ping pong table- also his awesome ha motzi at our wedding- the kindest and most generous man we ever knew- wrote us a beautiful letter when our sister Miriam passed away last year- condolences to his family who he loved deeply- it was an honor to have known him.

Mike: Haven't seen you for a long time now that SGWT's is no longer. Let me offer heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dad. What an amazing life story and what an amazing person. No doubt he'll be missed. Best to you and family
Frank & Gail Adshead

Although I never knew Cantor Messerschmidt personally, his daughter Evie was a great friend in my high school and in the early years of mothering our children, so I felt like I "knew of" him through his precious children. And there were very few in our very large high school who didn't know something of his courageous story. We were very fortunate to grow up in a city that honored its Jewish community and taught children of all faiths to do the same. He was a great part of that experience. To...