David Brandhandler Obituary

I continue to remember David Brandhandler with great respect and affection, and will continue to do so as long as I live. Y'hi zichro baruch.

I continue to think of David, always very fondly, on so many occasions. He was such a wonderful man, devoted to his cantorial vocation and to his family, his congretation and his many friends and students. His sweet melodies will inhabit my memory as long as I live.

Last night I observed Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, zooming with Oak Park Temple and Temple Har Zion of River Forest. One of the topics for discussion the rabbis had prepared, was "Did you ever have a Sinai-moment?" I don't have any grand ones that includes multitudes as I shy large gatherings. I like small settings when I, out of the blue, sense a presence. They are few and far between, and the Sinai moment I chose to tell last night was when I first met David and Goldie one summer day the year David turned 100. They were eagerly waiting to meet this Norwegian woman who wanted to see them, and I was, of course, even more eager to meet them. I had learned about them in the synagogue in Trondheim, Norway, my native country.

This is how I remember it: I walked into their sun-filled living room, we greeted each other in Norwegian, Hebrew, and English, and immediately David started to sing Modim, his Modim. The place got transformed to a place of the heart; the sound filled every lost and lonely place in my mind. I felt utterly embraced by someone looking down at us through the skies of Skokie. The melody was so beautiful that I did not emotionally recover until the evening, and I decided to keep the moment of David's singing in my heart by transforming it into woven, linen-yarn, tapestries.

Last, to make the memory even more perfect: alongside the moving chanting was Goldie's beaming and kind face contributing to make it a true moment of shalom.

Cantor Brandhandler was a kind, sweet, man, and a pleasure to sing with. As a choir member at Ner Tamid, I had the pleasure of going to practices, and singing both Friday night services, as well as the high holidays with him. I will always remember his admonition not to "schlauter the books", meaning that we should put our heavy, old, music-laden books away in the book case carefully. I can still hear his voice, and he shall live forever in my heart.

Our best to Goldie and Stuart. I remember at one of the last Ner Tamid luncheons, how David asked about our twin daughters by their childhood names, Mimi and Fra Fra. We loved him and will miss him.

Suzanne and Herb Lieber

My sincere condolences to Goldie, Stuart and the entire Brandhandler family. David (z'l) was a wonderful, inspiring chazzan and teacher to many generations and beloved by all who were privileged to know him. My entire family and I were very fortunate to have been graced by his presence in our lives. His beautiful, moving, cantorial renditions will continue to ring sweetly in my memory for the rest of my life, and his warm smile and encouraging words will always remain with me.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I will always remember my beloved uncle as a singer of life, a singer of song. If he wasn't singing, he was humming; if he wasn't humming, he was composing silently and then humming and singing. I will continue to listen to him in my heart, with love. Long after I am dust, his songs will still be sung. And in that way, he will never be forgotten.

What Ari Silverman said -goes double for me - except I think we were both in 1971. My condolences to the family - his memory is truly a blessing

Michael Schachter (son of Rabbi Stanley & Lfsa), Tel-Aviv

Baruch Dayan veAmet ...
Chazzan Brandhandler - was my Bar Mitzvah moreh back in 1972. I have been layening Torah ever since.
Ari Silverman -Natick MA.

Pls receive deepest Condolences from the Jewish Community of Trondheim where David was born and We had the pleasure of having HIS father as our Cantor until 1925. David left for USA in 1926, but came for a visit to our 100th anniversary in 2005. Amazing!

May you and your family "Go from strength to strength" Cantor Brandhandler was a real mensh.T%hat why G-D GAVE HIM LONG LIFE.

David was my hero. He believed and acted with reverence towards everyone. He was by far the nicest person I have ever met, and I am humbled and honored to be his nephew. I will miss him terribly and his light will shine in my heart always.

As he so eloquently sang: "Say what you believe, Believe in what you say, And never be afraid".

A true mensch teacher and scholar


Joseph Bright wilmette illinois

Cantor Brandhandler taught me my Torah and Haftorah for my Bar mitzvah. I still have the record he made. Additionally he taught our older son Victor his Bar Mitzvah Torah and Haftorah portions. He was very kind and patient and when the word cantor is mentioned I automatically thought of him. May G-d rest his soul and I will cherish the memories I had with him.

Cantor Brandhandler was my Cantor at Ner Tamid from my first day of Hebrew School, until my young adulthood. In 1966 he taught me my Haftorah. I was not one of his better students, and while he was stern, he was also very patient and caring. Later in life I always compared other Cantors to him. I found that with other Cantors I got the feeling that they were performing for the congregation. WIth Cantor Brandhandler, I always got the feeling that he was praying in front of the congregation.

I'm sure that he touched the lives of thousands of people, and for that God apparently rewarded him with a long life. Rest in Peace, Cantor

My condolences to his family

My sincere condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort be with you.

David Brandhandler was my one and only true cantor. He taught me for my Bar Mitzvah, and performed at my wedding 46 years ago. I often thought of him through the years, especially when my parents died. I will miss him.

Cantor Brandhandler taught me my Haftorah 56 years ago at Congregation Ner Tamid. Even as a 13 year old, he made a lasting impression on me for his warmth and dedication. I had the pleasure of seeing him a few months ago and after all these years he remembered me. I was thrilled. His dedication to his religion and to his students were, to say the least, amazing. I am blessed to have known him and the world was blessed to have him.