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| Kol Rishon performs at Daughters of Miriam |
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Susan was obviously referring to our second venue, Daughters of Miriam, where the concert space is an unattractive all- purpose room with an iffy sound system. The response to our music was unexpected: the residents, encouraged by their wonderful staff, sang with us, clapped their hands, and almost seemed like they were dancing in their wheelchairs. While the event could have been depressing, it was not at all. In fact, it was highly inspirational to our combined choir of twenty-five volunteers, who sang their hearts out.
In the past when Kol Rishon, TBR’s adult choir, has performed at these outside facilities, our choir members have expressed to me their satisfaction in doing this mitzvah and how they have been inspired by it. This time, however, the performance was different. It was better, because it was musically superior, and it was perpetuated by the combined efforts of two congregations to bring joy, culture, and celebration to a population with tremendous challenges and not much hope. Instead of a small choir averaging ten singers and one cantor (me), there were twenty-five singers; the two congregations’ cantors, Cantor David Perper in addition to me; our soloist, Jo-Ann Skiena Garey; BHSS’ violinist, Rich Berens; and two volunteer cantors, Phyllis Cole and Ted Prosnitz, the latter of whom is currently the resident cantor at Cedar Crest.
The program we put together was eclectic and electric. Chazzanut; Kurt Weil; contemporary American folk-rock-influenced choral selections; Hollywood; classical selections; Yiddish, American and Israeli folk music; and a little rock ‘n’ roll all kept our audience engrossed. While Cantor Perper’s magnificent voice soared and stirred our listeners, my, shall we say, theatricality kept them awake. The sound of the combined choirs was awesome, in the original sense of the word.
Much credit for these concerts must go to our accompanist, Itay Goren. Itay is an outstanding concert pianist, instructor at Ramapo College’s music school, and a graduate of William Paterson University’s outstanding music school. Itay’s playing is always impeccable and moving. Itay regularly accompanies our choir as well as the choir at Beth Haverim-Shir Shalom. He is also the pianist for our Simchat Torah Klezmer AllStars Band, where improvisation is the musical norm. Itay’s piano solos of two Felix Mendelson pieces were one of the highlights of the concert.
I want to thank all of the Kol Rishon and Beth Haverim-Shir Shalom choir members who volunteered their time and represented our congregations so well at these community concerts. Thank you for joining us in performing this mitzvah.
Please join us during the coming month for the Shabbat evening service on January 20, when we will be offering this year’s version of our folk-rock Shabbat, Shabbat La Vida Loca. This musical Shabbat service is inspired by the music of South America and will feature Cantor Mark Biddelman from Temple Emanuel of Pascack Valley; our cantorial intern, Cantor Annelise Ocanto, whose roots are in Venezuela; and an outstanding salsa band. Speaking of salsa, an optional south-of-the-border congregational dinner is available to our congregants and guests before the service. So, make your reservations now. Olé!
B’shira u’ve-simcha (In song and celebration),
Ilan
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