,,kta • ,filad4 Spirituality Yam aafthie Gist= (El o thier The Perfect Blend Taut Ciccitini 3or j4len Suits • Sportcoats Tuxedos • Slacks • Shirts Topcoats • Raincoats Shoes • Sweaters • Socks Ties • Cuff Links Custom Buttons Ask for Sheila Blum- Fashion Consultant Taut Ciechini jor Women Skirt Suits • Pants Suits Blazers • Slacks • Shirts Topcoats • Accessories PERSONALIZED SERVICE IN YOUR HOME, OFFICE OR IN OUR SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT 271 MERRILL BIRMINGHAM • 48009 (248) 646-0535 Association. Fighting Head &swat and Stroke crueetui an Ho art Assoc i - 10/8 1999 64 Detroit Jewish News Control high blood pressure Cantor with a trio of interests teams with congregation serving two streams of Judaism. CATHY SHAF RAN Special to the Jewish News amela Schiffer has always loved music, all forms of it. So she's not the type who could immerse herself in only one facet of the music world. Her musical direction has long been driven in three directions: as a cantor, concert singer and voice teacher. So when East Lansing's Congregation Shaarey Zedek approached her for a part-time posi- tion as visiting cantor this year, it seemed to fit perfectly into her trifur- cated life pursuits. "I teach voice at Oakland University, I'm performing in concerts (like "Brunch with Bach" on Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Detroit Institute of Arts), and now I'll be going to Shaarey Zedek 20 weekends starting with Shemini Atzeret (last weekend)," said Cantor Schiffer of West Bloomfield. Cantor Schiffer brings much experi- ence with her to this new "part-time" role. After her initial training at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, she held cantorial positions in California, Maryland and, for 13 years, at Temple Beth Israel in York, Pa. Since moving from Maryland to Michigan because of her husband's new position (Dr. Charles Schiffer is chief of hematology and oncology at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit), she has transferred from the music faculty of Loyola College to Oakland University. She has been a guest soloist at Temple Israel and Temple Beth El. All the while, she continues her work with the Contemporary Music Forum in Washington, D.C., where she performs regularly. Despite her busy schedule, Cantor Schiffer is energized by her new role in East Lansing. "I'm excited by the work that lays ahead," she said. "Their former cantor, Bruce Wetzler, retired last year after 40 years. And now the congregation is in the process of reassessing its needs and direction. "My role is to bring them music," she continued, "but also to help them organize their vision for what po they want for a music program and future cantor. What makes Cantor Schiffer's role even more chal- lenging is that she must find ways to blend traditions in this different kind of congre- gation, which serves two streams of Judaism under one roof. Since its inception, Shaarey Zedek of East Lansing has sought to fill the spiritual needs of both Reform and Cantor Pamela Schiffer Conservative Jews at the same time. "I really tip my hat to her," said Rabbi David Lyon. 'She makes it look so easy. "It's interesting," said Cantor Schiffer after embarking on her new role at Shaarey Zedek during the High Holidays. "For instance, this year the Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur evening service were combined, Reform and Conservative. We made some changes, adding some extra Hebrew in some areas and adding extra English in others. Then for the morning service of Yom Kippur, we had separate services." The Conservative members are pleased with the service," said Rabbi Lyon, who is Reform and leads the multidimensional congregation. "That really helps me. . 33 " 0. 0. s s, :14 a a a o a a r • Ns, sMEMFIt0 :S= Heavenly chat helps synagogue identify a prospective new cantor. Cantor Schiffer said, "For the holi- days, there was a lot of singing," including six hours on the bima dur- ing Yom Kippur. But working together with Choir Director Celiarose Varner and the volunteer choir, we all came together with one voice. We could all feel it, and it made Kol Nidre really special." Said choir member and cultural committee board member Winnie Rome of her new cantor: "I feel someone was looking out ), for us when we found her. Rome was returning to Michigan on a flight from Denver when she just hap- pened to sit next to Temple Israel President Jimm White. "I told him how we were looking for a visiting cantor. And he suggested a woman who had been working with Cantor Harold Orbach the previous High Holidays." For many in the East Lansing con- gregation, the chance meeting turned into a blessing. Cantor Schiffer "has a combination of professional excellence and a special personal quality that has impressed many people here," said Rabbi Lyon. "I only wish she could be full time. But I know she has many other pro- fessional interests. So she'll be appreci- ated while she's here. In the meantime, the search commit- tee continues its work to find a perma- nent replacement for Cantor Wetzler, hoping to name someone by summer. Whatever the future holds, Cantor Schiffer sees it as an exciting time at Shaarey Zedek of East Lansing. "The cantor will have so much to do, they will want to help with youth pro- grams and music in the school pro- grams as well as adult education. The sky's the limit on what they can do." And the cantor sees the sky as the limit for her own musical interests. "I have been able to do the things I love the most — performing, teach- ing and expressing my Judaism through music. I consider myself very lucky," she said.