Cantors Assembly Members Return
from Historic Mission to Poland and Israel
Members of the Cantors Assembly, the world's largest
organization of professional hazzanim (cantors), recently returned from a
historic gathering convened in Poland
and Israel. Participants included our Cantor Merrick of Congregation Temple
Beth Sholom of Smithtown. Approximately
100 hazzanim were joined by a few hundred laypersons. The event was planned by
Cantor Nathan Lam of Los Angeles, California, and co-chaired by Cantor David
Propis of Houston, Texas.
Highlights in Poland, recalling 1,000 years of Jewish
life there, included:
A ma'ariv (evening) service at the Nozyk
Synagogue, Warsaw's only remaining pre-Holocaust congregation. Services were
led by Cantors Ivor (Tucson, AZ) and Joel (Denver, CO) Lichterman, whose father
was the last Cantor at Nozyk prior to World War II.
A memorial
ceremony at the Warsaw Ghetto featuring a presentation of music from that
period. This event coincided with the groundbreaking for the new Museum of the
History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, being erected across the street.
A sellout concert
of Jewish music sung for an audience of primarily non-Jews at the National
Opera House in Warsaw. The Opera House's orchestra and chorus accompanied
members of the Cantors Assembly.
A performance by
Assembly members at the Ida Kaminsky Jewish
State Theatre.
A shaharit (morning) service at the Auschwitz
concentration camp followed by a memorial at Birkenau where Cantor Merrick led
the opening with the song Eli Eli.
Shabbat services, Friday and Saturday, conducted to a
filled sanctuary with people standing in the street at The Temple in Krakow.
Services were chanted by members of the Cantors Assembly, accompanied by a
chorus of colleagues.
Lectures
and musical programs offered by CA members as part of the annual Krakow Jewish
Music Festival.
Havdalah (prayer
for the conclusion of the Sabbath) chanted for thousands who attended the
closing night musical extravaganza in the square outside the Jewish Quarter
A concert
of Americana performed at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall.
Also participating in the Poland portion of the trip
was noted historian, Stephen Berk, who lectured throughout the week.
For those in attendance, it was two weeks that will
never be forgotten by the cantors, those who traveled along with them, and the
thousands of people who heard and saw the programs, services and concerts. The
unique capacity of cantors to express themselves through beautiful song and
prayer enabled them to serve as ambassadors of good will in a way that no others can emulate. The Assembly looks
forward to spreading Jewish culture in other countries, places where Jewish
life once flourished but where only a remnant survives.
For more information about the Cantors Assembly or to
see pictures and newspaper coverage from around the world, visit the Cantors
Assembly website at http://www.Cantors.org
or call 330-864-8S33.
Thoughts at the New Year . . .
by Cantor Judith Merrick
Dear TBS Congregants, Families and Friends,
It’s hard to believe, but 2008 is almost over and a New Year for the world is arriving shortly… As I reflect on this year, I think about what we wish for our loved ones, our families, our friends and ourselves: health, happiness and PEACE.
We here on Long Island can say that, for the most part (thank G-d), we have a good life. Everybody is busy, sometimes we get sick or we have some other things going on, but for the most part, life is good, we can’t complain. However when I watch the news, there is always something going on in other parts of the world that really puts me back into reality. What happened last week, as we celebrated Thanksgiving peacefully here at home on the Island, is so scary. I am talking about the terrorist attack in Mumbai, India that killed 200 innocent people and the murder of the very young Rabbi Holtzberg and his young wife, Rivka. All those people were the same as you and me. Some were visitors or tourists, some came for business, some are local Indians and some, like Rabbi Holtzberg and his wife, were there for a mitzvah: to help the Jewish community in Mumbai, by running the Chabad house that gave a hot meal or shelter to every Jew who stopped there. They were there to help others. They gave up the comfort of their home here in America to help the Jewish world and that’s why they moved to India. I am sure they never thought their lives would be taken away so brutally, for absolutely no reason… and that again brings me to the same thought: When, when will we all really feel secure in the world? When we will be able to travel with peace of mind, either to New York City or around the world, like really free people?
When September 11 happened on our own soil in 2001, I clearly remember sitting really frightened in front of the T.V. watching the terrible events unfold before my eyes. I couldn’t believe it was happening here in N.Y., where I always felt secure. After all, New York is the city of the world! It belongs to everyone, no matter where you come from and what religion you are. That’s why I came here, to be part of this big nation where all people are welcomed and equal. When the terrible events happened at the World Trade Center, I, the girl from ISRAEL, who grew up witnessing wars as a child and a teenager, who came to live in the biggest city and believed everyone loved and connected, I was scared. Even big AMERICA wasn’t secure anymore. I remember saying to myself, “Thank G-D Ron, is only 4 years old. Thank G-D he doesn’t understand yet.” I didn’t want him to grow into a world of violence and fear. I want my son to grow into a beautiful, peaceful world where people can travel and move safely from one place to another. Has my wish as a mother come true? Unfortunately, nothing has changed yet and it is very sad. The events last week in MUMBAI proved it again.
As we are planning our trip to ISRAEL in February to visit family and friends, Ron expressed his fear: “Mom, is it safe to go to Israel? Mom, I am afraid to go.” Now, how can I answer that? My husband Hal and I try to assure him over a quiet dinner at home, that everything is o.k. and we will never take him to an unsafe place, but it is very hard to convince him. He is 11 years old now; old enough to understand that our world is not safe and innocent people get hurt.
Just a day before these horrific events, we celebrated here, at our TBS, the beautiful holiday of THANKSGIVING with all our neighbors and different churches in our town. What an event. We all got together, sharing prayers and songs about PEACE. I can’t even express to you how excited and proud I was to be among the many clergy that joined us that night. It was an amazing feeling to be part of the human family, the American family. We were all one, praying together for the same thing: PEACE.
Chanukah this year falls in the same week as Christmas. I like it when it happens this way. This way it’s the holiday of lights for everyone and our children don’t need to feel like outsiders when all their friends celebrate Christmas and get gifts. I know it gives my son a comfortable feeling: you celebrate Christmas, but we light candles, sing songs and celebrate Chanukah. When the holidays fall at the same time, we are all one, sharing the happiness of being with friends and family.
With 2009 approaching, I would like to wish us all a year of PEACE in the world. Every person in this world deserves it! AMEN!
Love to all of you, Cantor Judy and family.
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