Notes from Cantor Avima

     I am very excited to feature `a special Musical Erev Shabbat Service on Friday, Nov. 1. I will be joined on the bimah by the Ben Wisch Trio. We have curated some beautiful contemporary settings of the Friday night prayers resulting in what I hope will be a very uplifting and engaging service. The Ben Wisch Trio has augmented Friday night services for other area synagogues. The trio includes:  

       Ben Wisch: As a seasoned pianist and two-time Grammy award winning record producer/mixing engineer, Ben has dedicated his career to creating music that resonates with the soul. His background includes both secular and religious music, allowing him to adapt seamlessly into various settings and audiences. 

·      Marc Shulman: With years of experience as an exceptional guitarist and musical director,  His versatile style on both acoustic and electric instruments complements our trio’s dynamic sound.

·      Joe Bonadio: A renowned percussionist,  Joe’s rhythms add a vibrant and engaging layer to our performances. His ability to connect with the audience through his playing enhances the overall worship experience.

      Please register on the website to attend this very special shabbat event. 

     This week we celebrate one of my favorite festivals: Sukkot. I have so many memories of our family sukkah, synagogue sukkah and many colorful  sukkot through my life. Naomi Shemer wrote a beautiful children's song which has become a classic. It was written about a year after the Yom Kippur war and its main mesage is one of peace. The song is: Shlomit Bonah Sukkah, Shlomit Builds a Sukkah. The Hebrew name "Shlomit" is derived from the word: "Shalom". Listen to it and I think you will agree this is \ as much an adult song as it is a children's song., and its message resonates today more than ever as we approach the one year anniversary of the Oct attackon the Hebrew calendar.  Shlomit Bonah Sukkah / Shlomit Builds a Sukkah of Peace  

     Here is the translation: 

Shlomit is building a sukkah, Full of light and greenery, That's why today she's so busy.
But it's not simply a sukkah, Full of light and greenery - Shlomit is building a sukkah of peace ("sukkat shalom").

She will not forget to lay out The lulav and the myrtle leaves (hadasim), A branch of green willow,
a pomegranate within its leaves, and all the fruits of autumn, with its fragrance of orange groves.

And when Shlomit says Look! It's already finished! Suddenly something wondrous will happen:all the neighbors will come,
it will be a swarm -and there will be room for everyone!

Then, through the roof of branches, With a bright glow as though it were a diamond, She will spot a star, saying:
-Shalom, wondrous sukkah, how fine and how pleasing it is - that Shlomit build a sukkah of peace.