Led by “The Merry Doctor-Pranksters” aka the HUC-JIR, DFSSM Class of 1991: Mark Childs, Elizabeth Goldmann, Nancy Kassel, Martin Levson, Nitza Shama, Josée Wolff
Not present at this convention: Diane Dorf, Devorah Staiman, Steve Dubov (z”l)

Accompanists: Liz Herman and Bob Remstein

Click here for music for this T’filah

Levav Chochma – A Heart of Wisdom
“Teach us to number our days…”  When we come to understand and embrace the wisdom that our days are numbered, we experience the freedom necessary to create liturgical art.  As the DFSSM Class of 1991 looks back on our 25 years of serving the Jewish people, we also look forward to new horizons filled with challenges and possibilities.  “No doubt the next chapter in my book of transformations is already written.  I am not done with my changes.” (Stanley Kunitz, The Layers)

Service Order:

Opening: Treasure Each Day (Yitzchak Husbands-Hankin)

Bar’chu: Weekday evening nusach

Ma’ariv Aravim: Jerry Sperling, arr. Bob Remstein

Ahavat Olam: Pam Wax

Shema: Sulzer

V’ahavtah:  Yehezkel Braun

Mi Chamocha: Jack Mendelson

Hashkiveynu: Linda Hirschhorn

(Silent Amidah)

Yih’yu L’ratzon: Nancy Kassel

Aleinu: William Sharlin

Memorial and Kaddish Y’tom

Closing: A Heart of Wisdom: Bob Remstein

Azkarah for Solomon Mendelson, delivered by Jack Mendelson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cantor Mark Childs
Congregation B’nai B’rith of Santa Barbara, CA (since 1991)
ACC, DFSSM Class of 1991, “The Merry Pranksters”
I’m celebrating the simultaneous graduations of a high school and a college senior.
“I strive to create sacred moments when there otherwise would be none, and I try not to take anything TOO seriously.”
Humboldt Fog

 

Cantor Elizabeth Goldmann
Temple Shalom, Succassuna, NJ
ACC, DFSSM Class of 1991, “The Merry Pranksters”
I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, Cantor, chicken-keeper, and traveler.
“Inclusive, eclectic, and joyous.”
My favorite cheese is somewhere behind the Zabar’s cheese counter.

 

Cantor Nancy Kassel
Temple Beth Tikvah, Roswell, GA
ACC, DFSSM Class of 1991, “The Merry Pranksters”
I’ve got the “Raise-Your-Voice-And-Sing-Hallelulyuah-Blues”
“Pray/Sing from your heart and soul, and the rest will follow.”
Toss-up between Zartschmelzend Kraft Wurziger Rahm-Hartkase and Dehesa De Los Lianos – Media Curation

 

Cantor Martin Levson
Sinai Temple, Springfield, MA
ACC, DFSSM Class of 1991, “The Merry Pranksters”
I am a father, husband, Cantor, spiritual seeker, guitarist, and geek culture enthusiast.
“Ivdu et Hashem B’simcha!”
Lincolnshire Poacher

 

Cantor Nitza Shamah
Temple Sinai of Bergen County, Tenafly NJ (since 1991)
ACC, DFSSM Class of 1991, “The Merry Pranksters”
I try to make everyone happy, but love it when they tell me the music of the service made them cry.
“Music can take us to heaven and back.”
Cottage Cheese תנובה

 

Cantor Josée Wolff
Temple Sholom, Floral Park, NY and HUC
ACC, DFSSM Class of 1991, “The Merry Pranksters”
Dutch citizen, New York denizen, first time home owner, and amateur gardener.
“Silence is highly under-rated.”
Dutch Cheese, of course!

 

Liz Herman is a private piano teacher and accompanist who lives in the Santa Cruz mountains of California with her husband, two daughters, dog and cat. She is an accompanist for Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy and Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos, California. Liz views music as a fundamental constituent of humankind, and Jewish music as an ever evolving process from ancient modes and rituals to modern, contemporary practices. Making Jewish music accessible and meaningful to every synagogue member is a welcome challenge that Liz looks forward to meeting.