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Music Shabbat is March 16 & 17, 2001

Chevrei:

As I write this, we are making what we hope will be final preparations to take possession of our new home. (Perhaps, when this reaches you, we will be on the threshhold!) Over the past year as we have planned programs, I have searched around for something really spectacular for our Music Shabbat, something that would add to our celebration of the new building. I spoke with artists in California, New York, even Seattle. There are so many wonderful Jewish musicians out there -- its really an "all-you-can-eat" gourmet smorgasbord. After many phone calls, e-mails, and conversations with Adat Shalomers, I found the perfect people to be our guest artists, and a new motto for this year's program: "There's no place like home . . ."

This year, our Music Shabbat will highlight the talents of three Adat Shalom members who are part of the incredible wealth of Jewish artistic expression in the United States today. As I considered this angle, I realized that coming up with a discreet, one-weekend program would not be easy. There are many, many talented musicians within the ranks of Adat Shalom's membership and choices had to be made. It goes without saying that the Adat Shalom Klezmer workshop, the brainchild and baby of Jeff Toretsky, has brought so much of value to our community. We will look forward to hearing from that lively and inspiring group several times in the coming months. In addition, there are lots of individuals for whom making music is a key element in their lives. Luckily, this is not the last Music Shabbat in our community!!

The three Adat Shalomers who will be our "guests" this year are: Jon Simon, Rene Boni and Susan Gaeta. On Friday night, March 16, Jon will bring his pianistic innovations into our Erev Shabbat service and offer some insights on how he makes his particular brand of music. On Shabbat morning, March 17, Rene Boni will be joined by her group, Calliope, for our Shacharit, bringing some new melodies, and new arrangements of familiar ones. On Saturday night, Calliope will return to help us escort the Shabbat Queen and make Havdalah. Finally, after our Havdalah service, Susan Gaeta and her trio, Colors of the Flame, will offer a concert of their Sephardic music arrangements, taking inspiration from Flory Jagoda, often called the Keeper of the Flame of Sephardic music.

So, in the end, I did find something spectacular -- right in my own backyard. Sherry Maliken, a long-time Adat Shalom choir member and music enthusiast will serve as our chairperson for this wonderful event. Please mark your calendars and come celebrate Shabbat in song (you can click your heels together three times, just like me . . .)

B'Shira

Rachel

And now a word from our Sponsor:

I am delighted and honored to serve as the chair for this year's Music Shabbat because I love music -- all kinds of music. My love of music goes way back to my earliest days, enjoying music as a student, a performer, and an ardent afficionada. I have definitely been bitten by the music bug. I feel very blessed to have been singing in the Adat Shalom Choir for the past 5 years and to have enjoyed the musical wealth that our community has to offer and so when Rachel approached me for this job, I couldn't say no.

Rachel has planned a savory "musical smorgasbord" for us thus far, covering a variety of types of Jewish music. I am additionally excited to tell you about the possibility of adding two more varied musical groups to our weekend event (as we go to press-we are still awaiting their confirmations). While these two extra "side-dishes" will increase our tasting capacity Ð it will also mean an additional financial cost for us.

While we have never charged a fee for this special program in the past (and plan to keep it this way), some financial support from our community would help to defray the additional expenses incurred. Therefore, we would like to request that voluntary contributions be made to support the added expenses.

We are suggesting donations of $18.00/household for those who are planning to attend the whole weekend. Remember, this program is a community event in the sense that our doors are open to members and non-members. So bring yourselves, your loved ones, and invite your friends. If you would like to make a contribution, your donation can be sent to the Cantor's Discretionary Fund or to Adat Shalom c/o Sheila Feldman, Executive Director, 7727 Persimmon Tree Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20817. We will also be providing donation envelopes for walk-ins throughout the Music Shabbat. It promises to be a delicious weekend Ð B'tei Avon (Hearty Appetite).

Sherry Maliken, Music Shabbat Chair