It is always a pleasure to thank the Purim Band for its contribution to our community celebration. So a huge heartfelt “Yasher Koach” to:
Tag Archives: Sol Bernstein
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
Shomrei Marches at the Israel Parade
The rains came down from 11-12. But a courageous group from Shomrei boarded our bus at 12:15 with water, snacks and our light blue 2016 parade t-shirts. After picking up a group from Congregation Ohev Shalom in South Orange and battling some Lincoln Tunnel traffic, we arrived in time at 2:00 pm on 54th between 5th and 6th, unfurled our banner and stood ready to take our place in the MetroWest Cluster.
Luckily, the rains never returned (until well after we were long home). We marched down 5th Avenue with the MetroWest Rishonim leading the singing and providing the ruach. Though the crowds were much lighter this year due to the earlier rain, it was no less enthusiastic. Saul Fellus’ kids waved their Israel flags to cheers and helped Bernardo carry the banner down 5th Avenue. 
We saw Dr. Ruth Westheimer waving in her usual parade Marshall golf cart. The march from 54th to 74th went fast. We were back on the bus at 3:00 and headed back to NJ. Once again it was a success merely to show in numbers of people, our deep support for the State of Israel and all its accomplishments in just 68 years. Continue reading
Shabbat Band Makes Beautiful Music!
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.
Music Makes Your Heart Soar
Have you ever noticed how magical music can be? Music makes your heart soar, your fingers snap, your hands clap and your feet tap. It evokes memories and gives you hope for the future. It makes you smile and sing simultaneously. Continue reading
Chanukah Simcha Band
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.
4th Annual Purim Band
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: