[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CANTOR ISAAC BEHAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 1997

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask my col- leagues to join me in 
recognizing the distinguished career of Cantor Isaac Behar, who is 
retiring from Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel after serving for 27 
dedicated years.
  Cantor Behar was born in Shumen, Bulgaria. He studied both religion 
and music at the Yeshiva in Sophia, Bulgaria, and later graduated from 
the Musical Academy in Bucharest, Romania.
  In 1959 Cantor Behar moved to Israel, where he served as a music 
teacher and musical adviser at a school in Tel Aviv. In 1962 he was 
appointed as cantor of Congregation Yehuda Halevi in Mexico City, where 
he also served as the director of the Choir de Union Sefardi.
  Then in 1969 he was invited to Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel in 
Los Angeles, where he served as the senior cantor until his recent 
retirement on December 31, 1996. During his many years at Sephardic 
Temple Tifereth Israel, Cantor Behar has been an inspiration to the 
entire congregation, but particularly to the young people. He was 
regarded not only as their cantor, but also as a teacher, mentor, and 
adviser.
  Cantor Behar educated and entertained his congregation with his 
original compositions of Sephardic sacred music and music for Shabbat 
and for the Yamin Noraim. His lyrical voice and knowledge of Judaism 
have been shared with a wider audience through his two albums, the 
first of which was recorded in Mexico City, and the second in Los 
Angeles entitled ``Songs of the Sephardic People.'' The congregation of 
Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel owes a great debt of gratitude to 
Cantor Behar for his long and successful tenure as cantor.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Cantor Isaac Behar for his 
dedicated service and record of achievement and in wishing him great 
happiness and success in the future.

                          ____________________