It would not feel right to begin this entry with anything less than my heartfelt thanks to all those who helped my third annual concert be such a success. From the Chairs of the Concert Committee, Iris Linson and Susan Shaker, to their supportive committee: Ruthie Auerbach, Andrea Chasen, Stuart Chipkin, Bob Dambrov, Donna Feldman, Seymour Frankel, Cheryl Freedman, Mark Gold, Miriam Gordan, Sydney Hirsch, Aileen Kramer, Yael Neffinger, Elazar Nudell, Suzanne Osofsky, Grace Sperling, and Mary Ann Williams … Kol hakavod! Each year it is the support and energy of this committee that allows me to bring my vision to reality. Again, thank you.

Secrets to be Revealed

It is hard to believe that it has been nearly three years since I have arrived at Temple Beth El. In that relatively short time I have searched for ways to educate and awaken our people to one of our most precious and over-looked treasures, music. Whether through concerts, musically fulfilling healing services, Cabarets, or the establishment of a community Youth Chorale, I feel a responsibility to fill Jewish minds and hearts with song and want to help people along their Jewish journeys.

With very few trained Cantors in the Pioneer Valley, there has been a lack of experts to pass on our glorious and misunderstood tradition of nusach (the musical formula for our prayer services). When one does not know the rules of baseball, even a Red Sox game can become monotonous (is that blasphemy?). When one does not have a sense of the music for a given service, the opportunity for a spiritual experience is that much more difficult. In the past cantors were hesitant to share the secrets of the music for the services, fearing for their livelihood. Like a magician who closely guarded the secrets of his illusions, the cantors held onto their tradition only allowing a select few in on the knowledge.

At the same time, synagogues of past generations were filled with the unmistakably warm murmur of prayer. There was little silence between the Hazzan’s utterances as the congregation was filled with a prayer buzz. In previous generations you could walk into almost any Ashkenazic synagogue in the world and know what day it was and what part of the service was being chanted simply by listening. Almost instinctual, this knowledge was absorbed through repeated synagogue attendance. As a child learns language by immersion, the congregant was immersed in the daily and weekly rhythms of the synagogue, and was able to learn the sounds of the services without thinking about it, simply by being there.

It is my hope to teach this tradition which has the power to bring added dimensions to one’s spiritual life. In turn this will help people feel more connected, a greater sense of enjoyment, and heightened fulfillment. Ultimately, it is my hope that some will feel empowered to step forward and lead services within their own religious institutions. These classes will be open to the entire community, there will be no cost to members of Temple Beth El.

This series of classes will be open to any Jewish adult in the Pioneer Valley. Classes will be informal and non-intimidating. The only pre-requisite is the ability to read Hebrew. I see this as a Sunday morning with bagels program. More information including a time and starting date will be forthcoming.

When we pick up a siddur, we are approaching God with words written by the best thinkers our tradition has had to offer. While spontaneous prayer is certainly acceptable, we are comforted and guided by what we hope are the most glorious words we can find. In the same way, our oral musical tradition aims to present these same words in the most musically organized, beautiful and satisfying manner. This program will bring the words and the music together. When our words work in coordination with our music we feel that our approach to God is somehow more powerful. This knowledge will not only be of benefit to individuals, by extension it is my hope that our entire praying community will feel the effects for years to come. Please consider taking a step towards making your prayer experience a more meaningful endeavor. Let me know of your interest.

Hazzan
Your Hazzan

Is Sinai a dream?

On Passover, our Rabbis ask us to use the words and symbols of the Haggadah to aid us in re-living our ancestors’ experience of the Exodus. Similarly, on Shavuot we stand to hear the Ten Statements and to re-enact the drama of Revelation at Sinai. As Passover is a time to celebrate our physical and spiritual freedom from bondage in Egypt, Shavuot is a time for us to reconnect to our Judaism, to recommit. Each Spring we have this yearly opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to our Jewish lives. It is also exhibited for us in the reading of the scroll of Ruth, who chose a Jewish path for herself when given the choice of remaining with her Jewish mother-in-law or going back to her people.

With these thoughts I share a story, a dream I had recently.

It took place in a warm climate, full of flowers. There was a young student, eager to learn, from a house dedicated to Jewish life. She could even carry a tune nicely. From the time of her studying with me to become a Bat Mitzvah she continued to study with me to learn High Holiday trope, Esther trope, all of the Shabbat morning service and even much of the High Holiday service. She led all of these for the congregation over the years, until her graduation from High School. Where did her path go next? Where else could it go in a dream, but to Harvard? There she took on a leadership role in the Harvard Hillel and continued to increase her knowledge and abilities in all areas of Jewish life, and along the way lifting spirits, encouraging others, bringing them along with her on the journey.

What is next in the dream? She meets and marries a young rabbinic student, and they will be spending much of their first year of married life together in Jerusalem. Can my dream get much better than this? Could any Cantor ask for more?

Actually, I must confess, this is no dream. I had the privilege of being a part of this young girl’s life, and I helped officiate at her recent marriage. Looking back at our connection, and at her life path I see the dedication and commitment to Judaism in her life and that of her parents and brother. None of them have aspirations of becoming a Cantor, including the young bride. This was never her motivation. They all were my students and shared the goal of mastering various synagogue and service related rituals to enrich their lives and that of their community. They took Sinai seriously, for them Sinai was no dream.

To this day, I continue to dream of students of all ages who desire a more meaningful connection to the tradition that is theirs to claim. It is my hope that for us it will also be a reality. I am always on the lookout for the student who can achieve more and the family who wants to learn together and create a meaningful, spiritual experience for themselves. Let’s make Sinai a reality together.

A Musical Mosaic: Israel at 60!

Sunday, May 4th is the date of my third annual concert at Temple Beth El. While our programming has included a good number of presentations, contemporary services, and cabarets, it is the annual concert that aims to really bring the community together with an eye towards sharing our wonderful musical tradition.

The concert during my first year occurred on the weekend that I was officially installed as your Hazzan. My wife, my opera singer friend, the Mak’hela chorus, Harold and Gayle Berman, Dr. Mary Adler, Doug Ratner, and our own Cantor Shames all participated and shared their music with the community in Shehecheyanu!

My 2nd Annual Concert focused on another side of our musical tradition. The Robyn Helzner Trio was my featured guest, and while my wife and I joined them on a few numbers, the new Jewish Youth Chorale of Western, MA made its concert debut. Everyone at the concert felt the power of the music to move their hearts and it was clear we were hearing a unique and beautiful sound.

This year we celebrate Israel’s 60th birthday. This concert will be a true community event. Once again Cantor Shames will join my wife and me. The Youth Chorale, now under the joint leadership of myself and Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein, is in its’ 2nd year and will have a key role in the concert. In honor of her nearly 30 years of service with Sinai Temple and the community, Cantor Emily Sleeper Mekler will make a cameo appearance. My dear friend Cantor Joseph Ness (Beth El in West Hartford) will not only offer us his beautiful bass-baritone voice, and his extraordinary skills as a composer/arranger but he will also be bringing with him his men’s ensemble and his mixed chorus. Members of our own adult choir will once again grace our bima joining forces with the other choirs on several pieces. My favorite clarinetist, Dr. Mary Adler, will join an instrumental quartet from Longmeadow High School as the accompaniment to a set of Ladino songs and a set of Hassidic melodies.

My job will be to pull this plethora of talent together into a musical whole, creating a rich mosaic out of our musical tradition.

Have a zissen Pesach!

Your Hazzan,

I want to begin by saying how much I appreciate all who were able to come to the Berke’s Café II. Elizabeth and I enjoyed working with Gayle Berman and Doug Ratner, who helped us bring the music to life. It was noteworthy that we had a nice group from B’nai Jacob as well, and the surprise number with Rabbi Rudolph, which he initiated, was a wonderful addition to the program. I look forward to having other opportunities to work together. Additionally, thank you to Mila for your assistance with all of the food, Jerry and Sydney Hirsch for help with checking people in, and Nathaniel Munic for being in charge of the videotaping. Lastly, thank you to my fellow professionals at Beth El, Rabbi Schwartz, Reverend Aminia, and especially my dear friend Cantor Shames, who made a special effort to come after his recent surgery.

And now for some important announcements: (These announcements were reportedly found in various shul newsletters and bulletins around the country. I hope you enjoyed this “Purim Torah.”)

1. Don't let worry kill you. Let your synagogue help. Join us for our Oneg after services. Prayer and medication to follow. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our congregation.
2. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
3. We are pleased to announce the birth of David Weiss, the sin of Rabbi and Mrs. Abe Weiss.
4. Thursday at 9, there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All women wishing to become Little Mothers please see the rabbi in his private study.
5. The ladies of Hadassah have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the basement on Tuesdays.
6. A bean supper will be held Wednesday evening in the community center. Music will follow.
7. Weight Watchers will meet at7 PM at the JCC. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
8. Rabbi is on vacation. Massages can be given to his secretary.
9. Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Rob, who are preparing for the girth of their first child.
10. We are taking up a collection to defray the cost of the new carpet in the sanctuary. All those wishing to do something on the carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper.
11. If you enjoy sinning, the choir is looking for you!

*****

The “count-up” to 60 Songs for 60 years continues each Shabbat morning and afternoon. This will continue until we celebrate #60 at the concert we will be holding for the whole community at Beth El on May 4th! Our celebration is entitled: “A Musical Mosaic: Israel at 60. Be sure to save the date!!

“Friday Night in the Groove” occurs this coming month on the 7th at 6:00pm. Be a part of the spirit!

On a slushy, grey afternoon, Cantors and celebrants gathered from all over the country from as far away as Oregon, New Mexico and California, as well as from Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey and New York. Two of us came from Massachusetts, Hazzan Marina Shemesh who serves a congregation in Worcester, also participated.

All told there were approximately 35 women on the stage together, though this is not the total number of graduates (63). 1987 marked the first official year of Investiture, but there were some women who went through the course of study in years before. They were granted the title of Hazzan in 1987 with the first official class which included women.

What was surprising to me was that I was on the first half of the program! Having graduated in 1994 put me towards the beginning of this trend in Conservative Judaism. I had not pondered this before, though my experience in the cantorate kept telling me this was so. As I held different High Holiday positions throughout the years, I was the first woman hired in most congregations. I did not consider myself a groundbreaker. I am happy to have opened eyes and ears for congregations and doors for the women who followed me in each of these synagogues.

This concert and experience has proven to be a time of reflection for me, which fits into this season as we recently changed the date on the calendar. It was powerful to be together with all of these graduates, and see the depth of talent – singers, composers, writers, conductors – each with the passion to bring our Jewish musical heritage and liturgy to life. I am proud to be counted among them and I am especially proud to have shared the event with my supportive husband and have my daughters sitting in the audience to bear witness.

Liz
-Guest columnist Cantor Liz Berke

In my position as Hazzan I have some very specific responsibilities. One of these includes helping to create an atmosphere conducive to a sense of reverence and prayerfulness within our sanctuary.

When someone enters the doors of our inspiring prayer space, the Rabbi, Reverend Aminia, and I are working to reach out from the bima to each congregant. However, our need to be in a specific place limits our reach. Our ability to connect extends only as far as the doors to the sanctuary. This leads me to the topic of this article, which is asking for your help. Those of us on the bima would like to be able to extend ourselves beyond the confines of our worship space. It is common practice in synagogues to have greeters at the sanctuary doors to welcome those who enter, as well as maintain a sense of decorum within the service. For many years at Beth El a string of ushers took this holy role upon themselves. It is understandable that the congregation thought that this position was filled. This is no longer the case.

When a newcomer visits Beth El it is friendlier to be greeted by a human being welcoming him into the sanctuary, handing her a Shabbat morning brochure, and pointing out which page we are on in the Siddur or Humash.

In my experience and that of my wife, when we have stood at the doors, there have been a number of times when guests ask directions to the restrooms, or want to make sure they are in the correct synagogue. Having a person to welcome individuals and groups as they approach is a warm transition from the outside world and into our community. On behalf of my colleagues on the bima, I am asking for you to find a Shabbat morning that works for your schedule, and be an ambassador for Beth El, standing at the doors, welcoming those who come to pray, celebrate or mourn with us. Please contact me at the synagogue if you are interested in this pleasurable task of putting a warm and welcoming face on our community, and helping us to extend our reach and our embrace beyond the bima.

Your Hazzan