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Cantor Grama Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Cantor Grama
Shaul Praver
October 4, 2020
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 let the boychik eat, this is not an interrogation!” Such a sweet lovable man. I miss Shaya and I will always remember his warmth and resounding decency.
Audrey Bader-Vogel
October 19, 2007
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.
Sharon (Whitman) Weinreb
October 17, 2007
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.
Louis Toobert
October 17, 2007
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 difference for many others there as well living! Although I moved from CT years ago.. I never thought of anyone but Shaya as "my cantor" he will be missed... rest in peace our friend.
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Arthur Mayer
October 16, 2007
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
Stephanie Splaver Gallagher
October 16, 2007
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.
Shaul Praver
October 15, 2007
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 is true about our beloved Y’shaya.
Y’shaya Grama gave the majority of the hours and minutes of his life to his Congregation---
Rodeph Shalom.
Y’shaya Grama was an extraordinary person,
the likes of which will never be replicated.
Y’shaya Grama was his own man, he was an awesome talent with a Glorious voice that has
Been tragically silenced…. We are all shocked.
Fortunately however, Cantor Grama’s life has already been transmitted permanently to thousands of B’nai Mitzvah and ten’s of thousands of worshippers throughout the years of his illustrious career.
Y’shaya was a really funnyman, but he was not a joke.
Y’shaya was a formidable force to be reckoned with–
An Institution unto himself.
Oy Va Voy to the one that crossed him and Oy vay voy to the one that would dare to even think of diminishing one iota of his sacred legacy.
You knew not and know not the magnitude of the man for whom we are gathered at this time.
The OPPORTUNITY before us today is the OPPORTUNITY to magnify and glorify the man,
His song and his legacy amongst people.
Y’shay was a Pastoral man—He loved his people
And he looked after them. We shall look after him now.
Because Y’shaya was humble, there are a great many things that you may not know about him.
I will tell you one.
There are a many professional cantors serving
Pulpits throughout the world because of Cantor Y’shaya Grama. They had been his B’nai Mitzvah, Choir members and his congregants and Y’shaya’s bigger then life persona inspired them to become Cantors themselves.
How do I know? They told me!!
They told me when they heard Cantor Grama open up his mouth and let his glorious spirit out through his
Brave booming voice, not only did it reverberate in the
Rafters and walls, it reverberated in their heart
And soul. They described it as an uncanny feeling that Cantor Grama’s voice was singing from within them. And when he stopped, Cantor Grama’s voice continued to be heard as an echo within them.
It’s his voice and the image of him singing with his whole heart that led these young people to the Cantorate.
Those that didn’t know how to admire and celebrate Y’shaya, stumbled and fell into the abyss of their own jealousy.
As for me, like you---I always admired and loved Y’shaya. Whenever his name is mentioned people smile.
Y’shaya lived with passion and he always made himself vulnerable to others because he wore his heart on his sleeve.
Cantor Grama didn’t operate by rote and habit but was always a live wire, wide-awake and ready for life,
Love and joy.
If you want to know what a spiritual giant looks like,
You need not look far--- Y’shaya Grama was a spiritual giant.
Everybody that had eyes in their head and a heart in their chest knew that Y’shaya was a treasure and they loved him. And Y’shaya love them right back!
He collected his passion like a hurricane collects its wind and he called out in the name of God upon the rich jet stream of his glorious voice.
Through his Singing, Y’shay brought heaven a little closer to earth and earth a little closer to heaven.
He was your spiritual leader, he was my friend
and we will never forget him.
In an age when the sacred liturgical art of our people was under siege, Cantor Grama like a true maverick innovated ways of keeping the art alive. He was a salesman extrodinaire. He could sell ice to the Eskimos.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emet.
Blessed be the true judge.
Let’s talk about what was blessed about Y’shaya Grama.
He made us all laugh!
And now he’s made us cry.
He had the personality and voice quality to be an Opera Star. Yet, beyond his immediate community,
Many did not know him. This is because he gave all of his time, energy and life to you --- his congregation!!
Y’shaya also flew beneath the Radar.
One night I got back very late from work and I stopped into a Bar and Grill to have a drink. It was Kareoke night.
I’m sitting there drinking my beer watching the game and listening to one singer after the next. Then I hear this old Tom Jones song but I am startled because it sounded way better then Tom Jones ever sang it!
I said to myself, “I’ve got to see who the heck this guy is.” And so I jump off the barstool and turn around. I see it’s a bearded fellow about middle aged wearing a Greek sailors hat with the brim turned down obscuring his eyes. As soon as he finishes his song the place goes wild---clapping, hooting and cheering…. I make my way over to him and I am extending my hand and I start in saying, “Wow…man can you sing… did you ever think of…When suddenly he interrupts me saying, “Shaul…. What are you doing here?” and he raises the brim of his Greek Sailors hat, and then in that dim light of the pub, the face of Cantor Y’shaya Grama comes into focus.
“Y’shaya, I say, I heard you were singing Kol Nidre here tonight so I figured I’d come by and hear ya.
With that Mishchivious twinkle in his eye and in his thick Brooklanese accent, Y’shaya asks me,
“What are doing… do you always hang out in bars at mid-night… I thought you were the Rabbi.”
Then he flashes those twinkle eyes again and dismisses me with his trade mark bear hug…
But not before whispering into my ear,
“Rabbi…. Go home.” And so I did.
That’s the last time I saw him
That’s the last time I heard his voice….
His whisper, “Rabbi…. Go home,”
But now Y’shaya, you have gone home.
Y’shaya, It was your night to affirm within yourself all the things you could have been and it was for you to know that you gave it all to your own people, your own family and your own congregation.
Y’shaya—Baruch Dayan Ha’emet.
Blessed be the true judge.
Blessed were you in this world Y’shaya
Blessed are all those that knew you
And Blessed shall you be forever Y’shaya in Heaven
where you shall sing your glorious song forever!
Y’shaya we will always remember you
Y’shaya we will always love you.// Sof Ha’sicha.
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Barbara Benjamini
October 15, 2007
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 greatest legacy. We are all very blessed to have shared his enthusiasm for life.
Wendy Savin
October 13, 2007
I was extremely saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Cantor Grama and offer my heartfelt condolences. He was such an endearing man who always showed he cared about me and my boys. His glorious voice was a joy to be heard. His indomitable sense of humor and twinkle in his eye was ever present. He will surely be missed by me, my sons and all who had the pleasure of knowing this exceptional man.
Milton Jacoby
October 13, 2007
Please accept my sincere condolences on you loss. Isaiah was the consumate performer and a true professional. He will certainly be missed.
Milton Jacoby
Faith Bader-Vogel
October 12, 2007
Cantor Grama was one of the kindest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He had a heart of gold and a gorgeous voice that could move you to tears from its sheer beauty. Talented, kind, funny, natural, unpretentious, emotional. The grief of losing Cantor Grama is too much to bear. A lovable, sweet, talented, unique person, I will never be the same after losing him.
May he rest in peace.
norman kaplan
October 12, 2007
There are certain unique people we get to meet in our lifetime. Some are famous, some are crazy, some are extra real, some light up a room, some are brilliant and some are super talented in what they do. Y'shaya was all of those things. We fondly recall the gift you had to fill up a sanctuary with that special angelic voice and to make Jewish prayer so easy to participate in and listen to. We miss you already and will look back with warmth and a smile at who you were and what you meant to so many.
Norman Kaplan and family.
Mitchell Ravitz
October 12, 2007
I was saddened to hear that Cantor Grama had died. Yet, I can still hear him when I am at the synagogue. He set a standard, not just as a voice, but as a person who we will all remember.
Bill Silverstein
October 12, 2007
He has been part of our family for 30 years. The Cantor and I had a very special bond that I will surely miss.
Aliza Benditsky Grosh
October 12, 2007
What a tremendous, irreplaceable loss. In all my years searching, I have never found a schul with a Cantor who can live up to my expectations. Who could match such a voice? He was larger than life. My condolences to his family.
Keith Bell
October 12, 2007
The beauty of his voice will forever be etched in my mind as he chanted the nusach.
My heartfelt condolensces to his family.
October 11, 2007
Because you cared,made us learn and laughed with us. Thank You for all your efforts,teachings and most of all thank you for giving us so much of yourself....We will always remember "the candy man"....
Andrew,Michelle and Richard White
Dan Baker
October 11, 2007
Cantor Grama had a spirit and zest for life as big as his wonderful and soulful voice. He shared his talent with the entire community and he will be missed well beyond the bounds of Rodeph Shalom.
Debbie and Ron Sheiman
October 11, 2007
We will greatly miss Cantor Grama. He represented the warmth of our congregation. His voice was the equal of an opera star. We will always have very fond memories of him and services will never be the same without him. How lucky we were to have him as our Cantor and our friend for so many years! We extend our deepest sympathy to Fern and Joy and the other members of his family.
Eric Berman
October 10, 2007
Cantor Grama was a wonderful man. He was always there for me and my family when we needed him. He was a terrific teacher and had a passion for what he did. I always looked forward to hearing his beautiful voice at Shabbat Services. He was a joy to be around. I will always remember him as a warm and wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
The Pavloff Family
October 10, 2007
Although we are new to Rodeph, we had the great honor of hearing Cantor Grama's phenomenal voice at services. He will be greatly missed!
Jamie Sorge
October 10, 2007
Cantor Grama was Rodeph Shalom to me. His voice rang out in the sanctuary like a beacon of hope and put all those in a presence of awe that heard it. He took our Bar/Bat mitzvah tutoring classes on crazy trips to Six Flags and NYC for a day of fun and food FOR FREE. He'd spend all day winning prizes while we'd be riding roller coasters. I remember him always handing out candy after Shabbat services. He was so compassionate and caring to me and my family. I will always miss him and always love him.
R & B Cantor Family
October 10, 2007
What a personality! What a heart! What a voice! Y'Shaya we will miss you forever. You were our friend, our teacher and our adopted uncle.
sidney levine
October 10, 2007
This was a wonderful man as well as a terrific Cantor.....his voice and his prayers were a joy to hear....my heart felt sympathy goes out to the family of a person that will always be remembered as well as missed.....Sidney Levine,Past Potentate, Pyramid Temple......
EJ (Jill) Cohen
October 10, 2007
Fern and family,
My heart goes out to you and your family at the loss of Y'shaya. His magnificent voice will be a blessed memory for all who heard it. He was a loving man who adored his family and the congregation which was his second home. I will cherish the times we shared the bimah and how he would always tease me in his own 'fake' sign language. May his memory be a blessing. Baruch dayan v'emet.
Nancy Diamond
October 10, 2007
I was blessed to have Cantor Grama officiate at my wedding in '84, and both of my childrens' baby namings. I don't live in Bridgeport anymore, but will always remember his voice, his presence, his laughing eyes, and his tuning fork! God bless his soul.
Gary Matican
October 10, 2007
I will miss this wonderful man and brother mason. The memories that I have from our blue lodge (Cosmopolitan #125) to being our spiritual leader in Pyramid Shrine, will be with my brothers and I for years to come. I will always picture his great smile and wonderful voice, his kidding around with me and being serious when necessary. Isaiah, may you rest in eternal peace. So mote it be.
Susan, Tom & Tommy Sulier
October 10, 2007
To our "Brother" Shaya's family,
We were stunned & saddened by the news of Shaya's passing...We send our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to you and to the countless others who are in mourning over his loss...God be with you all.
Fraternally & fondly,
Cousin Todd Kurzweil
October 10, 2007
My thoughts are with you. I have so many great memories of "the early years" up the lake in the summer at Grandma's cottage. What a great man!
Annie Green
October 10, 2007
I grew up listening to the operatic voice of a next door neighbor who used to bring me little stuffed animals, for no reason at all. What a warm man. Fern and Joy, my thoughts are with you.
Elly and Norman Greenberger
October 10, 2007
We attended a service over 20 years ago. Each year we said we must hear this incredible Cantor again. We were fortunate enough to attend Kol Nidre services this year and again hear Cantor Grama's magnificent voice. May God continue to hear him. Our deepest sympathy.
Elly and Norman Greenberger
October 10, 2007
We attended a service over 20 years ago. Each year we said we must hear this incredible Cantor again. We were fortunate enough to attend Kol Nidre services this year and again hear Cantor Grama's magnificent voice. May God continue to hear him. Our deepest sympathies.
Jean Sandler
October 10, 2007
My sincere sympathies to the Grama family on their very sad loss. My thoughts are with them,. Cantor Grama had a heart and voice of gold and will be sadly missed by all who knew him
Linda Yaffa Montecalvo
October 10, 2007
I remember the first day I walked into Rodeph Shalom many years ago and Isaiah's voice pierced through to my soul. He had so many special gifts and will be greatly missed.
Ed,Linda,Jason,Laura Matisoff
October 10, 2007
Words cannot express our pain on the loss of such a warm compassionate man. He has made the world a better place just by being here. We will forever hear his powerful voice joyfully singing in our hearts and in our minds.
Phyllis Cohen
October 10, 2007
Fern:
My sincere sympathy to you and your family. Cantor Grama will be missed not only by all of us from Rodeph Sholom, but by all the community as well.
Larry & Rachelle Lambert
October 10, 2007
He was a wonderful man.
Randi and Bill Cohen Coblenz
October 10, 2007
A gteat voice has been silenced. We extend our deepest sympathies to Fern, and family.
It is a sad and shocking day indeed.
Georgia Kilpatrick (Spanish Teacher)
October 10, 2007
Dear Joy,
I was so sorry to hear of your father's passing.Please extend my sincere sympathy to your family.
Tobi Weinstein
October 10, 2007
My deepest condolences to you on your loss. I will always remember the Cantor's talent and spirit and his zest for life. My prayers are with you at this time.
October 10, 2007
Shaya, I will always love you.
May those years of your days in Yeshiva and Shmiras Shabbos be to your credit.
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