From Captain Lynne Kurzweil:
Tuesday evening we welcomed 21 grateful guests and wished everyone good health and improved circumstances in 2020. Chef Lynne planned a seasonal menu centered around a generous contribution of organic produce from Judy Wildman and Ken Bannerman including winter squash, potatoes, parsnips and cabbage.
Shomrei Emunah was bursting with happiness and fun as we welcomed Hanukkah a little early this year. The Hanukkah Band, performing for the 9th year in a row, outdid itself. So many musicians ages 7-75+ and such good music! Not only are we multi-generational, but we had two families of musicians that were multi-generational. French horn player (and
shofar blower extraorinaire) Elana was joined by her son, Natan on violin. Merrill’s son, Dan, came from NYC to play tenor sax with his mother at the piano.
About 250 people gathered at Shomrei for the second annual “Concert for Eric” a tribute to Eric Singer z”l. This year’s concert entitled “Bountiful Brass – From Bach to Bernstein” featured Montclair Chamber Brass: Don Batchelder,
Chuck Bumcrot,
Anthony Mazzocchi,
Jeff Scott and
Kyle Turner.
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Last Saturday (September 24, 2016) members of the Shomrei community, prior to its annual slichot services, were privileged to hear fellow congregant Megan Lewis discuss gun violence in America, and what steps are being taken to try to reduce what has become an American epidemic. The talk was the followed by an extensive question and answer period. Continue reading
After 6 or 7 years, the Purim Simcha Band is a tradition at Shomrei. Some of our musicians have been with us since our first Purim concert and we applaud and thank them. This year, we had several new members and we welcome them and look forward to a long association. Continue reading
Psalm 98 tells us, “Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with trumpets and horns make a joyful noise…”
At our special Spotlight Shabbat on Friday, June 5, the Simcha band did not have any trumpets, horns or harps. We praised God with our alto-saxophones, drums, basses, tenor sax, piano, violin and cello. With our joyous music , the “Simcha Band” lived up to its name. With our musicians from elementary school to middle school, high school, college and in the working world, we lived up to being “multi-generational. “ With Dan Silver joining us for the first time, we were not only multi-generational but were the first mother-son musicians in the band’s five year history.
It was only the second night of Chanuka but the Simcha Band lit up the Shomrei Chanuka party as if it were the 8th night. The audience enjoyed listening and dancing to the music as much as the musicians enjoyed playing and singing.
The multi-generational Purim Band set a joyous tone for the evening. When we hear the first note of the Purim medley which accompanies the costume parade, we know it will be a fun evening.
Special thanks to the following people who contribute to the band’s success: