In the August edition of the Cape Jewish Chronicle, we asked our readers to share their recollections of “der blinde chazan”, Cantor Abraham (Abe) Immerman, whom our columnist, Professor Philip Lanzkowsky remembered with admiration.
One reader, Freda Tucker, told us:
“I remember well his favourite saying when asked about his birthday. He said, ‘I came forth on the fourth of the fourth.’” Freda always remembers this because she also celebrates her birthday on 4 April.
Reader Malcolm Lee recalled:
In the early 2000s we attended a Simchat Torah Shachreis Service/Barmitzvah at the Green & Sea Point Shul. Cantor Immerman was not only conducting the service, but also read the Torah portion. Despite his disability, he was
able to give the Art Scroll pagination before the commencement of each section of both the Shachreis and subsequent Musaf services.
We were guests of the Barmitzvah family and, at the subsequent Brocha, found ourselves sitting at the same table as the worthy Cantor. We introduced ourselves to our fellow table guests, and the moment that Cantor heard our surname, replied asking if I was related to the Late Dr Harold Lee. When I indicated that this is so, Cantor immediately told me the exact date of my parents‛ wedding in 1929 and that he had done the Cantorial duty at the wedding in the old Roeland Street Synagogue. What a memory! But this was not all. He went on to tell me that the bridal couple had driven on the then Garden Route for their honeymoon before settling into married life in Beaufort West. A fantastic man, with a wonderful memory!
Avron Buirski remembers:
I have such fond memories of Cantor Immerman. Coming to Herzlia School from the country, the little Hebrew I learned was from Cantor Immerman.
He taught both my brother and me our Barmitzvah portions. My brother and I could be near him and, as soon as he heard one of our voices, he would say, “Buirski – which one?” He had a wonderful memory.
Another reader recalled this amusing incident:
“My uncle would often give Cantor Immerman a lift home after the shul service. On one occasion, they arrived home in the dark. My uncle took the Cantor to his door, said goodbye and returned to his vehicle. He waited outside, checking to see that the lights were turned on and that the Cantor was thus safely settled inside. But no lights came on, and so, after a while, my uncle went back to the front door, rang the bell, and asked the Cantor if all was okay at home.
But, as he spoke, he realised his mistake: being blind, Cantor Immerman did not need to turn the lights on at night!”
Cape Town’s Lisa Chait released the only film made about Cantor Immerman, Legacy of Light – A film about Light and Darkness. Click here to watch it on YouTube.
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