CANTOR BENJAMIN Z. MAISSNER
connecting Jews to the richness of their musical heritage
Holy Blossom Temple is deeply saddened to share with you that our beloved Cantor Emeritus, Beny Maissner, passed away peacefully on July 19, a testament to his merit that it was during Shabbat. The funeral took place at Holy Blossom Temple, in Toronto, on July 21. You can watch the funeral here. The internment took place at Pardes Shalom Cemetery, Holy Blossom section. You can watch the internment here.
Donations can be made to the Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner Memorial Fund, at Holy Blossom Temple, online here, by email here, or by phone at 1-416-789-3291 ext. 227. Leave a message of condolence for the family here.
Cantor Maissner was larger than life and he loved life. He served the Holy Blossom Temple community and the Jewish People with distinction — with boundless energy and talent, with vast knowledge of Jewish tradition, and with endless love for Israel and Klal Yisrael (the totality of the Jewish People). You may enjoy some of his accomplishments on this website. He was there to celebrate and comfort generations of your families for more than four decades. May the memory of Cantor Maissner, sweet singer of Israel, be for an enduring blessing. With gratitude for all he gave to strengthen the Holy Blossom Temple community,
Rabbi Yael Splansky, Senior Rabbi, Baskin-Garson Senior Rabbinic Chair, Holy Blossom Temple.
Cantor David Rosen, Senior Cantor and Music Director, Holy Blossom Temple.
Eric Roher, Holy Blossom Temple President
“Ldor Vador” a new commission by Jonathan Comisar in honour of Cantor Benjamin Maissner
by Cantor David Rosen, Senior Cantor and Music Director, Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto
As part of celbrating Beny’s distinguished career, 8 cantors commissioned Cantor Jonathan Comisar to compose a piece to honour Beny’s upon his retirement in 2020. Because if Covid, the piece was not performed until a recording was made only two months ago. We are grateful to have made a professional recording of this masterpiece and to have presented it to Beny in person only a few months ago. Please enjoy the audio link below along with a description from Jonathan about the piece.
“When I first spoke to Cantor David Rosen over five years ago about commissioning a choral work in honour of Beny, we decided on L’dor Vador: from the Kedusha section of the Amidah. (“To all generations, we will declare Your greatness; we will sanctify Your greatness with triumphant praises. Your praise, our God, shall never depart from our mouths forever and ever– because You are God and a Kind, great and holy. Blessed are You, Adonai, the holy God.
This text’s inherent message of transmitting Torah to the next generations would be a fitting tribute to Beny–especially as a gift from 8 Cantors whom Beny mentored and supported and kvelled over. So the core text is L’DOR VADOR, but I wanted to include quotations from other sacred texts to reflect the diversity of Beny’s professional career and role as Cantor, Choir Director, Teacher of Torah, and Jewish leader in the world. To reflect these different roles, I included the texts:
“V’shinantam l’vanecha v’dibarta bam” from V’ahavta
(And you shall teach (words of Torah) to your children and speak to them….
“Shiru LAdonai chadash, shiru LAdonai kol ha-aretz” (from Psalm 96)
(Sing to God a new song, sing to God all the earth)
“Kol ha-n’shama t’haleil Yah” (from Psalm 150)
Every soul (everyone who has breath) praises God
THE MUSICAL TEXTURE:
I intended to bring together the 8 voices of the singers who commissioned the piece: Three women and 5 men (Two sopranos, one alto, three tenors, a baritone, and a bass). Because Beny has been a proponent and lover of choral music, I also endeavoured to create a piece that would have melodic accessibility together with compositional sophistication.’
Two other highlights to the piece are that Eric Abramovitz, principal clarinetist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, plays the clarinet part for this recording, and the second is the ending or chatimah.
He adds: “The chatimah — the final seal of the prayer — quotes from ‘O Canada’– the nation’s National Anthem. Since Beny has had a huge impact on the Jewish community of Toronto and, by extension, the larger Canadian Jewish community, it is the final jewel in the crown of Beny’s legacy expressed in the work.
Past Events, Concerts & Presentation
Cantors Assembly
Join me for 2 lectures on Baroque and Beyond: A Rich Tapestry from the 12th - 19th Centuries
November 20, 2024, 8:00 pm ET
November 27, 2024, 8:00 pm ET
Jewish music during this period was a vibrant and multifaceted expression of Jewish identity and culture. It was deeply intertwined with religious practices, cultural traditions, and historical events. While there were variations across communities and time periods, several key themes emerged, which we will discuss using audio, video, and the narration of beloved composer Ben Steinberg z”l.
—Beny
July 7 marked 9 months since the tragic war in Israel. The Toronto Jewish community came out on solidarity to demand the release the hostages held by Hamas. Families of hostages came from Israel to speak, to witness our support, and to stand with Israel. There were many speakers, including a friendly MP from Ottawa who spoke through tears about his support for Israel and fighting antisemitism. I was privileged to offer these two prayers for the captives and the IDF.
—Beny
On Sunday, June, 9, in Toronto, I walked with 50,000+ supporters of Israel. Thank you to the thousands of police officers who kept us safe from pro-Hamas hate protesters lining the route. And to the many non-Jewish supporters who walked in solidarity with us.
—Beny
On May 4, 2024, I celebrated my 80th birthday with my Holy Blossom Temple community. Enjoy this video of the beautiful Shabbat service.
—Beny
In Israel 2017
This two-part PowerPoint presentation traces my personal journey and history through the development of the Israeli song culture, over seven decades. With extensive audio and visual examples, we will explore the meanings of the decade’s most significant songs, and the background and circumstances that led to the creation of each one.
I hope you can join me on May 8 and 15, at 1pm ET.
—Beny
On International Women's Day, Friday, March 8, I participated in the Canadians for Israel rally, at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. It was heartbreaking to see a re-enactment of the October 7 Hamas kidnapping of women.
I was honoured to lead the singing of the Canadian and Israeli national anthems.
—Beny
On Tuesday, January 23 at 8:00 pm ET, I will be presenting Cantors in Canada: Yesteryears. We will explore the history of Cantors and Cantorial music in Canada, from the beginning of the 20th century, when cantors began to arrive in Winnipeg, Windsor, Montreal, and Toronto. With audio and video clips, we will experience the great voices of the past and the passion of those voices, as they appealed to Jewish communities. Please join me on zoom.
—Beny
I will be participating in this candlelight ceremony, where we will offer prayers for Kfir and his family, all kidnapped by Hamas. This location was chosen to support the Jewish residents of Armour Heights, who have been experiencing repeated hostile protests. Please join me and show your support on January 6, 7pm, at the Bathurst and Wilson Parkette.
—Beny
Cantors Assembly
On Wednesday, December 13, at 8 pm ET, I will present The History of Maoz Tzur. This presentation outlines the origins and historical and musical background of the Hanukkah candle lighting blessings and of the Hebrew hymn Maoz Tzur. Several variations of this hymn throughout the ages will be explored with audio recordings and visual images.
I hope you join me on zoom.
—Beny
Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation
On Sunday Nov. 26, I will sing at Grace Christian Life Centre, in support of Israel and the hostages.
—Beny
On Nov. 20, I will sing at a vigil in front of the UNICEF building in Toronto, for the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.
—Beny
click to see concert video
On Nov. 7, 2023, I was featured in a concert honouring the music of my uncle Israel Alter z”l. You can see the video here.
—Beny
click to see video clip
The concert was a big success. Click on the picture to see a video clip. Thank you to all who came out.
You may know that I play in a Klezmer band, called Klezconection. We are having a concert on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Earl Bales Community Centre. Please come see us at 6:30pm. Doors open at 6 and there is limited seating. But we will be inside. So rain or shine. I hope to see you there.
—Beny