Jossele rosenblatt biography of christopher

Chazzanut Online - Articles

1882 - 1933

The remarkable career of Cantor Rosenblatt

By David Olivestone

In an obituary for Cantor Josef Rosenblatt, whose seventieth yahrtzeit was observed in 2003, The New York Times noted, "He was so well known in this country that letters from Europe addressed to 'Yossele Rosenblatt, America,' reached him promptly." [1]

No other chazzan has ever attained such nationwide popularity and fame among both Jewish and Gentile audiences as Yossele Rosenblatt, while remaining completely observant and retaining his position at the amud.

There have been some who became world-famous, such as the celebrated tenor Richard Tucker, who also began his career as a cantor. Tucker, however, was not Orthodox, and once he became a star of the Metropolitan Opera, he led congregations only on the Yamim Noraim or on Pesach.

Rosenblatt, on the other hand, despite having turned down offers to appear in the opera, rose to become a star of t