Our Centennial Celebration Continues to Look Back:

Beth El Member Jan Peerce, World-Renowned Tenor

Meeting with Former President Harry Truman in 1956

As part of Beth El’s upcoming Centennial celebration, archival material from past bulletins are presented for your review and enjoyment.

A human interest story featured in our February 1956 Bulletin no doubt caught the attention of Beth El congregants. “You May Keep the President Waiting!” recounts the story of why world-renowned tenor of the Metropolitan Opera and Beth El member Jan Peerce was late for his date with former President Harry S. Truman.

While on concert tour in Kansas City, Mr. Peerce was asked if he would like to meet the former president, an avid music lover. Mr. Truman had a tight schedule, but agreed to meet Mr. Peerce late on Saturday morning, which would allow Mr. Peerce to attend Sabbath services, which was his custom. On the day of the planned meeting, Mr. Peerce did indeed attend Sabbath services. Hoping to avoid public notice, he sat in a remote section of the synagogue, but was soon discovered by the rabbi, who gave him the honor of chanting Maftir. A companion urged the opera singer to slip out of the synagogue before the service was over so that he would arrive on time for his meeting with the former president. Mr. Peerce refused, replying that he would not leave a religious service before it was concluded. Fortunately, Mr. Truman was able to adjust his schedule and agreed to meet later that day. Upon arriving, Mr. Peerce quickly offered his humble apologies for his tardiness, but was soon interrupted when Mr. Truman so aptly remarked:

“Mr. Peerce, when someone is in the right place at the proper time, doing the correct thing, he need not offer apologies. You were in the synagogue on Sabbath morning communing with God. You were in the right place, at the proper time, doing the correct thing, for which I commend you. Under these circumstances, I did not mind waiting for you.”

Former President Harry S. Truman was sent the February Bulletin containing the human interest story. He, in turn, responded with a thank you letter addressed to Rabbi Golovensky. That letter, reprinted here, appeared the following month in the March 1956 Bulletin.