LJC and AG Beth Israel Mourn the Passing of Our Chazzan Extraordinaire

Cantor Morton Pliskin represented the third generation of Cantors in his family. As a boy, he sang in his father's choir and in the choirs of many of the outstanding cantors of that era. Immediately after becoming a Bar Mitzvah, he became a "boy cantor" and conducted services in pulpits throughout the United States and Canada.

Cantor Pliskin assumed his first permanent position at the age of ninteen as hazzan of Mikro Kodesh Synagogue inMinneapolis, MN. He was hazzan at the A. G. Beth Israel Congregation in Chicago, and then served the Lincolnwood
Jewish Congregation in Lincolnwood, IL since 1984.

After attending the Hebrew Theological College of Jewish Studies in Chicago, he earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Minnesota and completed graduate studies at Northeastern Illinois University with a Master of Music Degree. He was active in his professional calling by serving as the Chairman of the Chicago Region of the Cantors Assembly, and also remained active in the Cantorial Council of America.

Cantor Pliskin's mastery of nusach, perush ha-milah, and trope were exemplary. His 65 years on the pulpit gave him the ability to daven from the heart which inspired so many in prayer and song. He combined the old-style chazzanus, including parlando davening, with modern melodies for congregational participation.

Off the pulpit, Mort was a warm, charming, quick-witted, soulful, and friendly gentlemn who always greeted people with a smile an dinquired about their well-being.

Cantor Pliskin passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at the age of 79. He is survived by his beloved wife Doris, three children, Joel, Neil, and Gayle, and five grandchildren.

He will be sorely mised by the entire congregatin, whose lives he has been enriching for decades.

(Thanks to the Cantors Assembly for permission to use this text and the Jewish Star, in which it appeared.)