Shalom U’l’hitraot: My Final Column

We are in the middle of Pesach/Passover, the Festival of our Liberation. The weekly schedule of Torah readings is interrupted by our Pesach observance. We return to Sh’mot/Exodus to read the chapters telling the Pesach story.

This coming Shabbat, the seventh and last day of Passover, we read Sh’mot/Exodus, Chapter 15. The Song of the Sea of Reeds describes in great detail the Israelites’ crossing the Sea, from west to east. Led by Moses, the Children of Israel enter the Sea as they are being pursued by Pharaoh’s chariots. G-d Almighty splits the Sea, and the Israelites go through to the eastern bank without a scratch, while the Egyptian hosts drown as the waters rush in.

Moses leads the Israelites to dry land, and they emerge safely! This dramatic scene is depicted in both popular film versions, The Ten Commandments and the Prince of Egypt. In the second animated version, the Israelites rejoice at their deliverance by singing “When You Believe” by Stephen Schwartz.

In the Biblical text, we learn about the first choir in Jewish experience: “Then Moses and the sons of Israel will sing this song of triumph…!” Twenty-one verses later, we read that Miriam and the women of Israel sing and dance together to the accompaniment of musical instruments! Chapter 15 begins with a Men’s Choir, and concludes with a Women’s Choir.

This Torah reading emphasizing the centrality of the Jewish music in our history gives me the perfect opportunity to say Shalom U’l’hitraot/farewell until we see each other again, to our beloved Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel.

Next week, Ellen and I shall move to Scotch Plains, New Jersey, to begin our next chapter. We are relocating to our new residence near the home of our children, Rabbi Howard and Naomi Tilman, and our grandchildren, Micah Toby and Sophie Daniele. We shall soon be attending services at Congregation B’nai Israel led by our son and his Hazzan.

The last 14 years have been filled with such wonderful and meaningful Jewish musical experiences! I have been so privileged to conduct Shir KI, our sensational volunteer choir during services and concerts of meaningful Jewish music. A KI leader shared with me the preamble of the KI constitution written in 1847. Our founders understood the centrality of the Jewish choral experience when they stated that the congregation must maintain a “well-trained choir.” For the last fourteen years, this responsibility has been mine! We have sung music from such diverse composers as Louis Lewandowski, Salomon Sulzer, A.W. Binder, Yehezkel Braun, Naomi Shemer, G.F. Handel, and Lin Manuel Miranda! We have sung for the High Holy Days, on Hanukkah, on Shabbat evenings, and on the Verizon Hall stage! When we rehearsed, I taught Jewish traditions, practices and history as we learned our music.

I was moved to share with KI congregants both moments of joy and personal sorrows. I was grateful for the opportunity to teach Jewish topics to our adult educational community.

Two weeks ago, we sang the famous Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein. The composer chose verses from Psalm 100: “Shout To G-d All the Earth…” I have conducted this masterpiece at major occasions in my life, and I was happy to present it one final time for the KI community.

Ellen and I were deeply touched by the comments of our colleague Rabbi Lance Sussman. Cantor Amy Levy, who brought me to KI, has become a loyal and devoted friend. I was proud to teach Jewish music together with her. Rabbi Ben David spoke beautifully. He has become a good friend. I am sure that he will continue to support meaningful Jewish music on the KI Bimah.

I am grateful to the men and women of Shir KI, who met together with me each and every Tuesday evening for 14 years. Their commitment to our shared Jewish musical vision has been intense and profound.

For three decades, Ellen has shared Jewish books with children and adults in her role as director of the KI Library. She has been a major educator of Jewish values, Jewish literacy, and Jewish creativity.

I have stated many times that my lifelong goal has been to make Jews! If we have made beautiful and important music along the way, I am doubly blessed, but the goal has always been to utilize Jewish music to inspire greater Jewish commitments to G-d, to Israel, to the Jewish community, and to KI.

Many KI members have made generous contributions to KI funds, especially the KI David Harp Society. Ellen and I are very thankful for your thoughtfulness and support!

We shall always pray for your good health, happiness, and fulfillment!

We want you to keep singing Jewish music and reading meaningful Jewish books whenever possible and for as long as possible.

SHALOM U’L’HITRAOT! UNTIL WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN!