Congregation Shir Shalom begins the new year 5779 with a calendar full of musical guests and specially themed services and programs. Spirit and Soul at Shir Shalom is a series of special musical services throughout the year
Celebrating the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah on Dec. 7th 6 PM, Mattan Klein, an Israeli jazz flutist will return for a special evening of jazzy Israeli and Hanukkah songs.
On January 18th, the annual MLK Memorial Spirituals Shabbat will include the Serendipity Chorale with Gigi Van Dyke, conductor for the 16th year, and a new guest choir- the Keys Chorus, with Rob Silvan, director. The Keys program is a fabulous program in Bridgeport, CT that gives lessons and instruments to gifted students as well as opportunities to perform. Sharing spirituals with both choirs will be a unique experience, along with the community choir where anyone is welcome to join us that evening.
Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday was celebrated this year, and we are continuing the celebration with a musical Tribute to Leonard Bernstein on March 22 7:30 PM. Claire Simard, the Director of Wooster School’s Theater and Music program will be the guest artist along with our own Carrie Chanin, mezzo soprano and Brian Besterman, pianist and arranger.
Jamie Bernstein, the daughter of Leonard Bernstein will be coming to discuss her book, Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein on Sunday, April 28th at 2pm. The series concludes with an Israeli Celebration of Song with Shlomo Shai, accordion on May 17th 7:30 PM.
In keeping with supporting the arts in our community, Shir Shalom is hosting two classical concerts from the Danbury Music Centre on March 31 and June 2. Sundays at 3PM.
Cantor Debbie will lead two folk community singalongs at the Ridgefield Library on Sundays - December 16th and January 6th from 3:30-5.
All the services and programs are open to the community. Members of the congregation are welcome to join the Adult Choir or participate as an instrumentalist. Please contact Cantor Katchko-Gray if interested. All programs are supported by donations and are free of charge.