The Life and Times of Merle Singer

The Life and Times of Merle Singer is an hour long documentary produced by Martin Phillips, media professor at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. 

Merle Singer first met Martin Phillips at a film screening of one of Martin’s projects. At the end of the program, the retired rabbi stepped forward to introduce himself to the filmmaker and explained that he was interested in learning about video production. The two immediately hit it off and went on to become very close friends. 

“I love this man. He is like a brother to me,” Martin said.

Before coming to Boca Raton, Martin Phillips worked as a national news producer on “60 Minutes" and later at “20/20”. 

He was captivated by Rabbi Singer’s determination and positive outlook and quickly decided he would be an excellent subject for a documentary about his struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. With the participation of some of his students, Martin followed Rabbi Singer for two years, traveling with him to Parkinson’s treatments and therapies locally and in New York. He also joined him for a special visit to Rabbi Singer’s boyhood neighborhood in Duluth, Minnesota.

“Martin is very compassionate and curious,” Rabbi Singer said. “I never felt that I was being interviewed. I was just comfortable talking with him as friend. I hardly noticed the camera.”

This documentary was aired on South Florida's public television stations, WXEL, and WPBT in 2017.