The Archivist Abroad: The Association of Jewish Libraries Conference in Evanston

From June 21 to 25, Shaar Archivist Hannah Srour-Zackon was in Evanston, Illinois, at the annual Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) conference, which brings together professionals working with Jewish collections in libraries and archives around the world.

Hannah gave a presentation about the Shaar’s archives, in particular about the papers of Cantor Nathan Mendelson z”l (“The Hazzan in the Archive: Processing the Papers of Cantor Nanthan Mendelson”), which were donated to our archives last year. The presentation was received with great interest and sparked conversations about how the papers of other cantors as well as hazzanut-related collections are being preserved and used around the world. During the conference Hannah was also re-elected for a second term on AJL’s board as Vice-President for Development

Nathan Mendelson was the Shaar’s longest serving hazzan, hired in 1938 and retired after 35 years in 1973.  He remained emeritus until his sudden passing on Rosh Hashanah in 1977. In addition to playing a fundamental role in shaping the synagogue’s music for a quarter century, he was very active in hazzanut circles both locally in Montreal and internationally. He served as President of the Montreal Jewish Music forum and Montreal Jewish Music council, Vice-President of the Montreal Cantors Council, and, most notably, President of the Cantors Assembly of America. He composed many original pieces, some of which he wrote with his wife Mae Chazin Mendelson (herself from a cantorial family), a graduate of Julliard’s School of Music. Cantor Mendelson also taught adult education classes throughout the Montreal Jewish community and served as the official mohel of the Shaar. After his death, his family established the Hazzan Nathan Mendelson Music Foundation in his memory for the synagogue to fund Jewish music and cantorial initiatives, recordings, and events.