Spirited and Soulful Services at Shir Shalom in Ridgefield

Spirited and Soulful Services at Shir Shalom 

The coming of the New Year, 5778 is a time to reflect and renew. The music of the High Holydays is especially moving with prayers for a new year of health, hope, joy and peace.

Following the magnificent music of the High Holydays, Congregation Shir Shalom will share a year of special musical services with renowned musical guests, composers, and choirs.

Beginning on Friday October 13^th Beth Styles will return to Shir Shalom for the first of five Shabbat services using much of her highly-acclaimed compositions. Beth has won recent liturgical competitions for new Jewish music, and has been sharing her evolving work at Shir Shalom’s services for the last two years. On November 10^th Beth will share the musical portion of the service with Mark Fineberg, celebrated musician from Broadway, Motown, Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Klezmer. Mark was the lead saxophone player for Riverdance on Broadway and has performed with the Billy Joel Band, Hot Shot, Blues Brothers, Temptations, Motown Review, and more. Mark truly prays with his instruments during the service, and it is an honor to have him once more.  Mark Fineberg will be playing throughout the High Holydays, adding his unique musical voices of flute, clarinet and saxophone.

January 12^th at 7pm brings the 16^th annual Martin Luther King remembrance service led by Gigi Van Dyke and the Serendipity Chorale with singers welcome from the entire community. This annual community service brings Jewish and Black Spirituals together in worship and celebration. March 23^rd features a classical cellist and pianist who won first place in an international competition of 150 duos.  Internationally regarded, Julian Schwarz, cellist and Marika Bournaki, pianist will play throughout the service and share a musical program featuring Jewish composers including our own Paul Frucht, director of the Danbury Music Centre’s Chamber Music Intensive. His piece, “The Reckoning” uses Jewish motifs and modern emotions to create an unforgettable experience in remembering the Holocaust. Paul will share about his piece and Julian and Marika will perform it. Julian is the soloist with the Ridgefield Symphony on Oct. 7. We are so fortunate to have this caliber of musicians in our greater community who are so generous with their talents and time.

April 27^th will celebrate the 18^th year of Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray at Shir Shalom, and features Cantor Leon Sher, composer of a now classic, “Heal Us Now”. Leon is a wonderful composer, cantor, guitarist and performer as well as a longtime friend of Cantor Debbie’s. The Adult Choir will sing several of Leon’s compositions with Leon conducting and sharing his musical voice.

Services are led by Rabbi David Reiner and Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray at Congregation Shir Shalom of Westchester and Fairfield Counties, 46 Peaceable St in Ridgefield, CT

For more information about High Holyday tickets or membership please call 203 438 6589 www.ourshirshalom.org

To participate in the musical services please contact cantordebbie@ourshirshalom.org