Jose Wichelewski's Obituary
Cantor Jose Wichelewski, 92, of Tamarac, Florida, died Friday, April 1, 2022. Cantor was born on March 31,1930 in Argentina.
Practice. A love and aptitude for music. A commitment to Judaism. A successful cantor needs all these things. But it was his love for people that was most important. He was known to the members of the Sunrise Jewish Center/Temple Sha'aray Tzedek as “Cantor Joe” or the “golden voice”.
His father, Zalman, also was a Cantor and he and his three brothers (Nathan, Jacob and Asher) sang in the choir directed by their father. Wichelewski wrote music as a young man and sang in many synagogues. He and his brother Asher had an orchestra and a show and sang in Yiddish, Hebrew and Spanish. Eventually, Wichelewski came to New York, in 1972. After he mastered English, he found work singing at a shul in Brooklyn, as well as other Jewish restaurants and temples. A vacation persuaded Wichelewski to move to South Florida. He was hired as Cantor for Temple Israel in Miramar. Wichelewski held the position for 11 years until the synagogue closed. Exercising his theatrical gifts, Wichelewski wrote and directed a musical comedy called Schlemazel Comes to America, which was performed at the Sunrise Jewish Center. The temple offered Wichelewski a contract for the Sukkot holiday. His reception was overwhelmingly positive and he was hired and served almost 3 decades prior to retirement.
Cantor Joe attended services at Temple Beth Torah Sha'aray Tzedek this past Shabbat in celebration of his upcoming 92nd birthday. He was overjoyed with happiness after kissing the Torah and hearing the congregation sing happy birthday.
The funeral will be held at Levitt Weinstein Beth David Memorial Gardens on Sunday, April 3 at noon. Rabbi Michael Gold will be officiating the service. Donations may be made to Rabbi Gold Discretionary Fund.
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