Stephen Silver
Cantor Charles Stuart Davidson, a long-consequential figure in the world of Jewish music both nationally and in Pennsylvania, died on Nov. 24. He was 94.
Davidson was a cantor, composer, professor and author. After working in Pittsburgh for the earlier part of his career, Davidson lived in Elkins Park, where he served as cantor from 1966 to 2004 at Congregation Adath Jeshurun and was hazzan emeritus until his death.
“My dad’s connection to the Philadelphia Jewish community was deep and wide-ranging. As a cantor, he did more than lead services — he cared for people, nurturing their spirits through music and spirituality, both publicly and in personal moments. His passion for Jewish music touched many lives, and he was always humble and giving in sharing that love, whether here or across the globe,” said Miriam Davidson, the cantor’s daughter.
The cantor, according to an obituary published by the Joseph Levine & Sons funeral home, was either conductor or musical director for several institutions, including the International Zionist Federation Association Orchestra at the University of Pittsburgh, the Hadassah Choral Society and the Pittsburgh Contemporary Dance Association.
“Teaching and mentoring brought him real joy. Watching others grow as Jewish leaders made him proud. Beyond composing, being a cantor meant more than just leading prayers; it was about guiding young ones to embrace their Jewish identity, leaving a mark on families in our congregation,” Miriam Davidson added.
As a composer, Davidson’s most famous work was “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” which was based on poems by children who were in the Terezin ghetto, in what was then Czechoslovakia, during the Holocaust. The composition, written in the late 1960s, was famously performed for around 150 survivors at the former site of the Terezin ghetto in the early 1990s. “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” was also the subject of two different PBS documentaries.
In June, Davidson was honored at the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, where “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” was performed by the ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir, the Nashirah Jewish Chorale of Philadelphia and Zachor Keneseth Israel Youth Chorale. The concert was organized by two of Davidson’s daughters, Miriam and Alyssa, who are the director and leader, respectively, of the ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir and Zachor Keneseth Israel Youth Chorale.
“Dad’s contributions were diverse, spanning music, education, performance and community involvement. Each piece he composed and every student he taught reflected his deep commitment to preserving and celebrating our Jewish musical heritage,” Miriam Davidson said.
Davidson graduated from the Cantors Institute at the Jewish Theological Seminary, in one of its first classes in the 1950s; he served for many years as the Nathan Cummings Professor at the institution, which is now known as the H. L. Miller Cantorial School.
“He was warm and welcoming, and after several hours together I decided that becoming a hazzan was what I was meant to be. I had the privilege of not only studying with him for four years at the then Cantor’s Institute, but of becoming a lifelong devotee. The world is less blessed with his passing,” Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh said in an obituary published by the JTS.
Davidson’s publications included editing “Gates of Song” and the biography “From Szatmar to the New World: Max Wohlberg — American Cantor.” He also owned a music publishing company called Ashbourne Music Publishing.
“His life’s work was all about keeping our musical traditions alive for future generations. Dad’s legacy will always speak of his dedication to our community and his love for sharing the beauty of our musical heritage with everyone,” Miriam Davidson said.
Davidson is survived by his children Miriam Davidson (Kim Singleton), Michael Davidson, Alyssa Davidson Arms (David Arms), and Ilana Davidson (Greg Cooper), as well as his granddaughter Kaitlyn Arms. Davidson’s family has asked that contributions in his memory be directed to the Charles Davidson Fund, which will distribute donations to the Milken Archive of Jewish Music, Eastham Public Library, ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir, Visual Imagist, Flutterbye Theater Co. and the Serenata Chamber Series.
A celebration of his life is planned for the spring.
Stephen Silver is a Broomall-based freelance writer.
