Creative Services March 2012

March 05, 2012

Shaarai to Feature Two Creative Shabbat Services in March

March will a treat for those who want variety in their Shabbat celebrations.

For lovers of music, the ever-popular Friday Night Live will return on Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m.  This contemporary Sabbath service will bring together the congregational choir Chavrai Zamir, and the temple’s Klezmer band, the Chopped Liver River Band. Songs will be performed under the musical direction cantorial soloist Sara Eiser assisted by band director Alan Levine.

“It’s got a little bit of jazz, a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll, a little bit of Klezmer [a type of Jewish folk music] and a little bit of traditional Jewish music,“ said Eiser, who will lead the service. “It has every emotion from soup to nuts.“

The music for Friday Night Live was written by Craig Taubman, a television and film composer, for Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. The Friday Night Live service is performed recurrently in a Los Angeles synagogue and regularly attracts 2,000 people.

Taubman’s dynamic music and moving performance style have been an inspiration to the Jewish community for over 20 years. His magical and enchanting music brings to life the joy and spirit of Jewish heritage, appealing to young and old alike and captivating audiences wherever his music is heard. Combining Hebrew and English lyrics, Taubman’s songs bridge traditional Jewish themes and ancient teachings with passages and experiences of contemporary Jewish life. The format fits in with efforts in Judaism’s Reform movement to broaden worship experiences.  In the past, the Friday Night Live format has performed to capacity audience, as it is is a unique service that enables its participants to unwind from the pressures of the secular week and celebrate Shabbat with a spirit of joy. Be prepared to clap, sing (song sheets will be provided) and have a wonderful evening. Dancing in the aisles is permitted.

For those who delight in creative Shabbat experiences, Shaarai will present an “Israel Service” on Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m.. The evening will include an Israeli dinner followed by a service consisting of Israel-themed readings and beautiful music sung by several different congregants accompanied on piano by our own Ann Leisawitz. In lieu of a sermon, we will hear congregants speak about a variety of recent experiences in Israel. The service will be followed by an Oneg sponsored by the temple’s Israel and Ritual Committees.  More information will be posted on the temple website at http://www.shaarai.org.