Born in London, England, Cantor DeBruin came to Buffalo as a child and grew up in Temple Beth El, a predecessor of Temple Beth Tzedek. In 1945, he joined the TBE choir, and was appointed Cantor in 1950. His cantorial training was with composer-arranger and Temple Choir Director Samuel Luskin.
Still going strong after well over a half-century of serving TBE, Cantor DeBruin has helped prepare over 1200 b'nai mitzvah students, including many adults. He has appeared with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Buffalo Civic Orchestras, in many broadcast performances, and before meetings of many religious and social organizations. Cantor DeBruin has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Cantors' Assembly of America, co-chairing the Convention Management Committee for many years.
On September 10, 2000, Temple Beth El held a dinner to honor Cantor DeBruin for 50 years of service as Cantor of Temple Beth El.
Cantor DeBruin received an honorary Doctorate in Jewish Music from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in January, 2002.
Cantor DeBruin and his wife, Belle, are the parents of Larry DeBruin, Jeffrey DeBruin, and Cheryl Wisniewski, and the grandparents of four.
Cantor DeBruin's e-mail