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CANTOR’S NOTES Mark Elson, Cantor FROM CANTOR ELSON
At this time of year, as the normal activities of synagogue life are winding down and summer is approaching, I always take the opportunity to express appreciation to those who have given of their time and talent to make Shir Ami such a musically vibrant congregation.
I don’t think that those who are not part of the choirs or the Klezmer band realize the commitment and the love that these wonderful folks give to us, so I hope if you see them at services or around the synagogue, in the neighborhood or at the mall, you might say thank you to them for a job well done.
First, I want to thank the Makheilah, the singers in our children’s choir. It has been a real joy singing with you this year. Your enthusiasm, your laughter, the fun we had together in our rehearsals have made this a special year. Thank you for participating and making the First Friday services more joyous with your singing. And thank you to the parents of the children in the Makheilah for making it possible for them to participate, for arranging Sunday carpools or not joining a carpool so that they could sing with me each week, and for bringing them to services on the First Fridays each month. Without your support and help there would be no Makheilah and I’m grateful.
Thank you to the members of our Adult Choir who have been so very dedicated through the years. Each year we grow a little in numbers but a lot in accomplishments. You have amassed a very impressive repertoire of music and each time we sing at services you sound wonderful. This year especially you gave many hours of your time to prepare for the special evening with Cantor Linda Hirschhorn at the Anna Gever Music Shabbat. I know there were moments at our rehearsals that you felt overwhelmed, but I also knew that you would rise to the challenge and you certainly did. It was a wonderful Shabbat of beautiful music and I’m very proud of all you did to make it so successful. You have brought new music to our ears and made our worship inspiring and enjoyable. I look forward each week to our rehearsals – for the singing as well as the kibbitzing. Thank you for the commitment you have to our synagogue and to each other.
Our SHIR KLEZ! band has given us another year of lively music and made our Kabbalat Shabbat services among the most unique and delightful anywhere in the country. I hear from visitors all the time how remarkable they feel the Kabbalat Shabbat service is and how much joy and spirit the band provides.
This year you also participated in the Anna Gever Music Shabbat, and are scheduled to participate at the Jewish Festival June 1. Thank you for sharing your talents with us, for the dedication you bring to each rehearsal and for helping us dance and sing as we pray each month.
I want to express words of thanks and appreciation to Eric Schnitzer, our accompanist. Eric is among the most excellent and gifted musicians I have ever met. His abilities both technically and artistically seem limitless. I have known Eric for many years and he also has a beautiful spirit and is a real mensch. We are very blessed to have him with us and his assistance is invaluable to me. Thank you, Eric, for the music you make and the support you give to the choir, to the band, to the Makheilah, and especially to me all during the year.
Finally, a word of thanks to everyone in our congregation who participates in song during our services and programs. The moments of greatest joy for me during our services are the times when I see and hear you singing along, moving to the beat of a joyous melody, adding your voices to mine or to the choir and band. The Psalm says: “Sing unto God a new song,” but whether the songs we sing are new or very familiar, the important part for me is that we’re all singing together. I invite you to sing at every opportunity, and if you would like to join the choir, or the band if you are an instrumentalist, please let me know. Have a wonderful, safe, restful and enjoyable summer.
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