A good friend is hard to find . . . . impossible to forget.
From left: Hedvah and Ben Aroni, Louis and Rouhama Danto
In today’s blog the JSA thanks and honors two great friends: Louis and Rouhama Danto. If you are one of the people who have been impressed and amazed by the incredible collection of recordings that the Judaica Sound Archives has received from the estate of the late Jack Saul, you might be wondering, “How did Jack Saul know about the JSA?”
Good question. And the answer is: Cantor and Mrs. Danto.
The JSA became acquainted with Cantor and Mrs. Danto about three years ago. They were known to JSA’s sound archivist Ben Roth-Aroni as friends of his mother and father, Cantor Zvee Aroni. The couple lives in Toronto, Canada and Ben urged them to visit the Judaica Sound Archives on their next visit to South Florida. On February 20, 2006 the JSA staff had the opportunity to meet this remarkable couple.
They were immediately impressed by what they saw and what the JSA was trying to accomplish. At the time, the JSA website was just beginning to put some of the music on the internet. Having a Cantor of Danto’s stature agree to allow us to put his albums on our website was a real coup! Cantor Danto signed a contract with us and about six months later his beautiful voice could be enjoyed by listeners around the world.
Dantos visit JSA (from left) Rouhama Danto, Ben Aroni, Cantor Danto, Nathan Tinanoff
If that was all that we had to thank the Dantos for it would be more than enough. But there is more.
The Sauls and the Dantos knew each other from the years that Cantor Danto officiated a the Park Synagogue in Cleveland. The Sauls were part of the congregation and the Cantor often visited their home to listen to Jack Saul’s record collection and to talk about music. They told Jack about their experience with the JSA and how impressed they were with our genuineness and our professionalism. Although he was somewhat reluctant at first, Jack eventually agreed to visit the JSA “to see for himself.”
From left: Jack & Hinda Saul, Louis Danto
Jack Saul had spent a lifetime collecting sound recordings. It was his passion. It was his life. Now, with the encouragement of his good friends Louis and Rouhama Danto, Jack Saul was able to find a place that could take on the responsibilites of guardianship for the collection that meant so much to him.
For more information about Jack Saul and his record collection click the Jack Saul link on the right menu under the CATEGORIES heading and scroll down.
About the RSA, Judaic Collection, On-line music collections, Online Access, Performer Biographies, Performers
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Cantor Louis Danto, Jack Saul Collection, Nathan Tinanoff
Themocracy
I love reading your blog, and seeing the wonderful progress on my father’s collection. This particular post, which includes the dear Danto’s, was an added bonus. They are an amazing, warm, and kind couple. So many family memories include them – including my wedding, a visit to their home in Canada, and once I even had the thrill of performing with him in a concert! We wish they lived closer, but, this post helps bring them near. Thanks for all your hard and dedicated work!