מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ מלך חַי וְקַיָּם שֶהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְחֶמְלָה, רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ Modeh ani l’fanecha, melech chai v’kayam, shehechezarta bi nishmati, b’chemla raba emunatecha I offer thanks to You, ever-living Sovereign, that You have restored my soul to me in mercy: How great is Your trust.
There are so many rays of light and hope that have flooded my week - a refreshing breeze and sunshine after spring rains, a productive staff meeting with Rabbi Neimeiser (including an introduction to his Mom, Alma), a second vaccination for my 17-year old daughter and dates on the calendar for small gatherings in person. Modah ani l’fanecha - I offer thanks to the Almighty!
Last year, I was overwhelmed and deeply moved by the number of tributes made in my honor as I celebrated my 25th year in the Cantorate. The pandemic prevents us once again from celebrating in person. However, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion has organized a Zoom event where all of my rabbinic and cantorial colleagues, Class of ‘95, will be recognized for our accomplishments click here to register.
I have been invited to represent my cantorial class (only six of us receiving the Honorary Doctorate) with a short speech reflecting our collective experience during the last quarter century. We are also going to present a pre-recorded virtual video of an original choral composition by my classmate, Cantor Erik Contzius, which he wrote last year for us to perform in person. I am grateful to all of my cantorial classmates; each one I call a friend.
.שִׁירוּ לַיהוָה, שִׁיר חָדָשׁ; שִׁירוּ לַיהוָה, כָּל-הָאָרֶץ O sing unto the LORD a new song; sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Irvey Brainson Sean W. Collins H. Jack Feibelman Linda P. Franklin Dr. Henry Gewirtz Herbert Hall Lawrence Hoffman Gladys H. Jacober Alvin Kurzer Bernie Levine
Joan Adler Mark Max Mann Eileen Parker Lenore Rakatansky Sherry Royall Fay Rozovsky Stanley Smith Florence Tilles Walter H. Weinberg
Anna Cohen Haberman Herman Haberman Donald David Jaffa Jean Moverman Jaffa Sloan Myles Jaffa Farrel A. Jaffa
YIZKOR ELOHIM The Congregation joins in mourning the death of Edmund Jordan Silverman Lois Fain Lorelei Benatovich Ira Silverman
