Cantor Saul Z. Hammerman z"l

In 1952, a handsome young cantor from Brooklyn, New York came to Baltimore for a job. Cantor Hammerman’s first glimpse of the Hilton Road synagogue was disappointing. The synagogue resembled an office building planted on a vacant lot. It hardly mattered. Cantor Hammerman planned to stay two years and return to New York.

Saul Hammerman remained on the Beth El bima for 45 years, partnered with Rabbis Agus and Loeb. During his tenure the congregation grew from 350 families to over 1,700. Upon his retirement in 1997 he became Cantor Emeritus until his death, December 15, 2008.

He defined the role of cantor in a progressive Conservative synagogue. His innovative service always maintained traditional liturgical music. In the earliest years, Cantor Hammerman with his wife, Aileen, staged professional musical productions. Over the decades his Cantors’ Concerts brought internationally acclaimed artists to Beth El to sold-out audiences. For more than two generations he participated in life cycle events for countless Beth El families and brought a “sympathetic ear” to its members.

On June 15, 2008 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by his colleagues, world wide, of the Cantors Assembly. In his last year, while struggling with ill health, on Yom Kippur day, he chanted “Hineni” to a standing ovation.

In his 57 years of presence at Beth El, Cantor Saul Z. Hammerman’s golden voice and spiritual influence made a lasting impact on the Beth El of today.