Cantor Emeritus Isaac I. Wall
Immigrating from Russia to Denver, Colorado at the age of 3, Cantor Isaac I. Wall began his religious training under the guidance and inspiration of his father, a very scholarly and pious Jew. Cantor Wall had already shown a talent for Hazzanut by the age of 9, when he moved with his family to New York. There, he studied the Talmud and liturgy, as well as voice with some of the great cantors of the day.
At the age of 13 Cantor Wall was leading services, davenning as Hazzan for the High Holidays in Hartford, Connecticut where the Governor of the state, as well as other dignitaries, came to hear "this wonderchild with the beautiful voice".
After serving for several years as Cantor in a number of New York synagogues, he took a position in Houston, Texas, where he traveled the state conducting services for the armed forces during World War II. In 1944 he became Cantor of Har Zion Temple and served for 47 years until his retirement in 1991. He now serves as Cantor Emeritus.
Cantor Wall is one of the founders and past President of the Cantors' Assembly. He is a fellow of the Cantors' Institute, honored for his many years of service to the Conservative Movement. He taught for 20 years at the Solomon Schecter Day School (now the Perelman Jewish Day School), which he helped to found, and continues to serve on the organization's board.
Cantor Wall and his late wife Sheva were blessed with three children, 13 grandchildren and Cantor lives in Ventnor City, New Jersey.