It is most probably Shaarei Zedek synagogue in Manhattan, where he spent most of his US career. In Europe, he lived mostly in Russia. He had cantorial positions in many cities, including St. Petersburg, although the last year or two before coming to America he was in Romania (actually, Bessorabia I believe).
This is absolutely Roitman. He started off with a beard in Europe and after he came to the US, he gradually shaved it off. Eventually he had just a mustache and then shaved in entirely. Either way - just have a listen. He doesn't have the lightness and beauty that Hershman had. He has the famous Roitman mezzo falsetto and 'heartzig' (soulful) expression that Hershman never had.
@guywalker29 I didn't know there was more than one Shaarei Zedek. I believe it was near what is now Lincoln Center. Sadly, anyone in the family who could say for sure is no longer alive.
This is here in NYC Cong. Sharei Tzadek and here is the bio so you get the picture ... Roitman was born to Mordecai and Mariom Roitman on November 1, 1884 at the Jusefpol village in the Russian province of Podolia. At the age of 12, he became the choral assistant to a cantor at the nearby town Lidvinke. He was then apprenticed to a series of cantors starting with Yankel Sorover and including Zeidel Rovner. Roitman would remain with Rovner throughout his teenage years. He studied music at Yeshiva College and continued his studies as a post-graduate at the Leningrad Conservatory. Roitman worked as a cantor for five years at the Jewish Temple of Elisavetgrad, starting in 1904. From 1909 to 1912, he worked as cantor at Vilna. He became the chief cantor at the Ginsbourgh Synagogue in Leningrad starting in 1912, until the October Revolution of 1917 destroyed that congregation. During a 1918 pogrom, Roitman fled from Elisavetgrad to Odessa and there organized the Hebrew Music School, which the government would soon dissolve. Roitman lived in Kishinev, Moldova around the year 1920, making concert tours throughout Romania. Roitman emigrated to the United States in 1921 and spent two years with the Congregation Ohev Shalom in Brooklyn. In 1924 he joined the Congregation Shaare Zedek in Manhattan, with which he would officiate until his death. During this time, he made concert tours in Europe and South America. After a long illness, Roitman died in New York City on April 4, 1943
My grandmother was very proud to be his daughter.
trainerjosh4 i would also be very proud if....
this guy is so great thier arent many pieces from him on recording but in old wrightings the rait him from the top top in his time.
It is most probably Shaarei Zedek synagogue in Manhattan, where he spent most of his US career. In Europe, he lived mostly in Russia. He had cantorial positions in many cities, including St. Petersburg, although the last year or two before coming to America he was in Romania (actually, Bessorabia I believe).
This is Roitman's grandaughter to tell you that yes this is Roitman.
it´s definitely Roitman! his style was much more oj oj oj wailing than the more lyrical Herschmann
This is absolutely Roitman. He started off with a beard in Europe and after he came to the US, he gradually shaved it off. Eventually he had just a mustache and then shaved in entirely.
Either way - just have a listen. He doesn't have the lightness and beauty that Hershman had. He has the famous Roitman mezzo falsetto and 'heartzig' (soulful) expression that Hershman never had.
@guywalker29 I didn't know there was more than one Shaarei Zedek. I believe it was near what is now Lincoln Center. Sadly, anyone in the family who could say for sure is no longer alive.
@guywalker29 I believe the one near LIncoln Center. Sadly, anyone who would know for sure is no longer alive.
@NYtoKS Which Shaarei Zedek in Manhattan? Where in Manhattan?
do you know where this is which synagugue? and where in europe did he live?
This is here in NYC Cong. Sharei Tzadek and here is the bio so you get the picture
... Roitman was born to Mordecai and Mariom Roitman on November 1, 1884 at the Jusefpol village in the Russian province of Podolia. At the age of 12, he became the choral assistant to a cantor at the nearby town Lidvinke. He was then apprenticed to a series of cantors starting with Yankel Sorover and including Zeidel Rovner. Roitman would remain with Rovner throughout his teenage years. He studied music at Yeshiva College and continued his studies as a post-graduate at the Leningrad Conservatory.
Roitman worked as a cantor for five years at the Jewish Temple of Elisavetgrad, starting in 1904. From 1909 to 1912, he worked as cantor at Vilna. He became the chief cantor at the Ginsbourgh Synagogue in Leningrad starting in 1912, until the October Revolution of 1917 destroyed that congregation. During a 1918 pogrom, Roitman fled from Elisavetgrad to Odessa and there organized the Hebrew Music School, which the government would soon dissolve. Roitman lived in Kishinev, Moldova around the year 1920, making concert tours throughout Romania.
Roitman emigrated to the United States in 1921 and spent two years with the Congregation Ohev Shalom in Brooklyn. In 1924 he joined the Congregation Shaare Zedek in Manhattan, with which he would officiate until his death. During this time, he made concert tours in Europe and South America. After a long illness, Roitman died in New York City on April 4, 1943