Andy and I would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has supported THE LITTLE MINYAN THAT COULD all year, and in years past.?? We all lead such busy and complicated lives, but when we make the effort to support someone saying Kaddish, or to simply support our community, our lives are elevated just a little bit. I know the word “mitzvah” means a commandment; I’d like to suggest we add a feeling of elevation or being uplifted to the definition.
Author Archives: Merrill Silver
Purim Celebration at Shomrei
My favorite Jewish holiday is Sukkot. Or is it Passover? After
celebrating Purim tonight with our Shomrei community, my new favorite
holiday has to be Purim. The spirit, the crowd, the young people, the
not-so-young people, Lily leading us with such “ruach” and teaching us
new melodies, Lily directing the JLC acting troupe with her original
shpiel, Debra Caplan accompanying these incredibly talented singers and
actors at the piano, the overflowing bags of Mishloach Manot, and of
course, the 9th Annual Purim Simcha Band all contributed to a most
joyous Purim. Continue reading
The Simcha Band is Gearing Up for Purim
If you play an instrument, join the Simcha Band! We’re always looking for new members to join our troupe! All ages welcome!
The 6th annual Purim Band will perform on Wednesday evening, March 20 during the Megillah reading and evening service. We hope you can participate as every musician is special to us. Although we’ve been playing the same repertoire (more or less) these past few years, we still need to rehearse. Also, when newcomers join us, they need some practice time with the band. Continue reading
Big in Sound and Joy – The Simcha Band!
We may have been small in number but we were big in sound and joy. Just ask the audience who sang, danced and clapped to the rhythm of all the melodies.
Special thanks to Conductor Mark Weinstein, and band members: Elliot Lasiter, Jerilyn Margulies, Mike Tizhgarten, Howie Erichson, Andy Silikovitz, and Merrill Silver. Joining the band for the first time were Collin Brooks and Nathan Pendola. We look forward to watching Collin (electric guitar) and Nathan (drums) grow up with the band. We welcome and thank Dan Silver who came from NYC to make music with us.
Musicians Aged 10-110 Wanted for the Simcha Band!
If you can read music or carry a tune, if you have a song in your heart and an instrument in your house, if you have previously played in the band or are joining us for the first time, the multi-generational Hanukkah Simcha Band welcomes you! Shomrei’s Annual Hanukkah Party is on Sunday, December 9 at 5:00 PM. The latkes, the communal lighting of our many Hanukkiyot (menorahs) and the Simcha Band are traditions at our synagogue!
Continue reading
Syrian Refugees Visit Shomrei and Our House on Rosh Hashanah
My mother used to tell me, “You can only be at one place at a time.” When my kids were little, I would give them the same advice. As much as they wanted to, they could not play soccer, go to a birthday party or have a play date at the same moment.
I thought of this on the first day of Rosh Hashanah services. Shomrei offered such an array of options that I had a hard time to choosing one. Lucky for me, I chose the “teen” discussion group led by Andy Silver, with a panel of Syrian refugees and aided by a translator.
The Little Minyan That Could
“The Little Minyan That Could” is celebrating its tenth anniversary this November. It started when my father, Mike Leventer, passed away and I wanted to say kaddish in the comfort of my own home with the support of the Shomrei community. Never did I imagine that ten years later, we would still be meeting in our living-room, davening Maariv through the seasons and sharing life’s experiences with each other on the first Wednesday of each month.
Purim Simcha Band Lives Up to its Name
Seven years ago we needed a name for our newly formed band. “The Shomrei Emunah Multi-Generational Band” was too long. The Chanuka or Purim Band? Too dry! THE SIMCHA BAND! Yes, the Chanuka Simcha Band; the Purim Simcha Band. We have lived up to this name ever since. Continue reading
Musicians ages 10-110 wanted!
It is difficult to believe that Purim is just around the corner. The Megillah reading will be WEDNESDAY EVENING FEBRUARY 28 which means the Chanuka Simcha Band morphs into the PURIM SIMCHA BAND that evening.
We are scheduling one rehearsal on SUNDAY FEB. 11 beginning at 10:00 and ending at approximately 11:00. If we need a second rehearsal (due to snow, building problems, sickness, or just because we really need more practice), we will meet again on SUNDAY FEB. 25 at 10-11:00. (We are keeping the holiday weekend free – NO rehearsal Presidents’ weekend).
Continue reading
The Joy of the Chanukah Simcha Band
Eighteen hours after the Simcha Band played at Shomrei’s annual Chanuka party I was sitting poolside in St. Petersburg, Florida. Did I hear Christmas music everywhere? Not me! I continued to hear the eleven Chanuka songs and Israeli folk songs we played the night before. The joy of the band, the SIZE of the band and our professionalism continues to sustain me through the last day and night of the holiday. Continue reading