By Eileen Wingard
POWAY, California — Dressed in blue shirts, black vested suits and fedoras on their heads, the 18 men of the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir assembled on the bima at Ner Tamid Synagogue last Saturday evening to begin their program.
Taking their fedoras in hand, they sang their lively opening number, the Yiddish Ale Brider (All Brothers), dancing joyously, as they watched the precise motions of their music director, Ruth Weber.
Thus began the well-crafted program of the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir, with variety in language, mood and message. Most of the songs were accompanied on keyboard by Dr. Michael Munson. Several of the selections were accompanied on the accordion by choir member, Doron Peisic and many of the offerings included Bob Weller on percussion. The pieces were introduced in groups of three by Shaun Edelstein, founding member of the group, and Mark Zickel. First were three liturgical works,
Craig Taubman’s Shiru L’Adonai (Sing to God), Psalm 150 by Louis Lewandowski, and Yismechu (Happy Are Those), by Robert Solomon. Bass Steve Markowitz was soloist in the Yismechu and was particularly impressive in the lower reaches of his basso profundo voice.
Psalm 150, Hallelujah, sung acapella, achieved a beautiful blend. Lewendowski was influenced by the choral writing of Handel and Mendelssohn.
Two Ladino selections followed, one, Barmenan (God Forbid), a humorous song, and Durme, Durme, a serene lullaby.
Two pieces from Broadway Musicals were next, “When You Believe,” from The Prince of Egypt by Stephen Schwartz and the beloved “Tradition,” from Fiddler on the Roof by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock. In the latter, to the audience’s delight, Neil Baljon, Hans Enyeart, Brian Freidin and Milton Krasner put kerchiefs on their heads and in falsetto, sang the parts of the Mamas and the Daughters.
Three Yiddish songs followed, Der Rebe Elimelech, with soloist David G’mach as the charming Rebe; Chiribim, Chiribom; and Mark Warshawsky’s Simches Toyre.
Next came an interesting setting of Ein Keloheinu (There Is None Like Our God), by Choni Goldman, who grew up as the son of Chabadniks in Johannesberg, South Africa. One could detect the influence of African music in this work. The solo was nicely sung by Brian Castle.
Steve Mishek was soloist for “I Believe,” whose words were found on a concentration camp wall. The setting was by Mark Miller.
The deeply moving lyrics were: “I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining, I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it, I believe in God, even when He is silent.”
An upbeat parody on Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O,” “Vey-O” followed, with soloist Mark Zickel sounding very much like Belafonte. It was all about the difficulties of getting a minyan for morning prayers.
Matisyahu’s inspiring “One Day,” followed. Then there was the Israeli prayer of hope, Lo Teda Milchama (Let There Be No More War) music by U. Continiello, lyrics by Telma Aligon Roz.
The program concluded with what they called an Artza Alinu (We Ascended to the Land) Medley, which began with that song of the pre-state Chalutzim (Pioneers), followed by Tzena, Tzena (Go Out) and concluding with Am Yisrael Chai (The People of Israel Live).
As an encore, which the audience demanded, we all joined in with the choir singing Shalom Aleichem.
A Havdalah service, led by Ner Tamid’s charismatic South African-born Rabbi Ryan Newfield, preceded the concert. Attendees included many young people from the congregation as well as older generations. Everyone seemed fully engaged by the choral program, which will be part of the concert the choir will be presenting in New York next February 14 in Carnegie Hall. The following day, they are scheduled to perform at the Jewish Heritage Museum. Both YIVO and the Arbiter Ring are publicizing the concert and they hope to attract a large audience. The choir welcomes donations to help finance their East Coast appearance.
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Eileen Wingard is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.
You captured the spirit,the essence
Thank you
David