iNS1D'E:

Synagogues

Torah Portion

Soaring._

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN

StaffWriter

hen a Friday-night worship
service includes 1,000 foot-tap
ping, hand-clapping, music-
loving participants, something
is going right.
.
"I consider the Jazz Shabbat service one
of the most 'worship-able' services we have 0
all year," says Cantor Stephen Dubov, who
0
led the Beth El program along with col-
leagues Rabbis Daniel Syme and David
Castiglione.
"The service itself is intended to 'bring
in' the worshipper," the cantor says.
Members from other congregations, both
Conservative and Reform, attended the
March 22 program.
"The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars add
a Cajun and jazzy flair to our liturgical
text," he says of the group with whom he
created the Jazz Shabbat service 11 years ago
when he was a cantor at Touro Synagogue
in New Orleans. Also participating were the
Temple Beth El Adult Choir and the . Kidz
Klez Band of Michigan.
The sixth annual musical service was
sandwiched between dinner and an oneg
Shabbat. The participatory service was
organized by Cindy Bolokofsky, the syna-
gogue's music and arts chair.
Cantor Dubov describes the service,
sponsored by the Babs and Herbert
Kaufman Concert Fund, as "a blend, a kind
of mixed jumbo — without the treif sort
of gumbo, including New Orleans-style
jazz, klezmer, rock and blues combined with
traditional Hebrew and liturgical texts.
"The combination of the musical styles
takes our prayer to new levels," he says.
"There is a great feeling in that sanctuary
when everyone is genuinely involved in the
moment. It allows those who know how to
pray with kavanah (intention) an opportunity
to let their spirits soar."
Those who had attended the service in the
past knew what to expect at the very end.
That's when the "Make a Joyful Noise Unto
the Lord" tap dance benediction takes place.
"It is mentioned in Psalms to 'make a joy-
ful noise unto the Lord,"' Cantor Dubov
says. "When the worship is complete, I put
on my tap shoes and tap my heart out." ❑

Ants

Temple

Beth El

Jazz Shabbat

service is a

•

toe-tapping

'

success.

—

Top right:
Kidz Klez Band of Michigan
member Yurly Leonovich of
Franklin performs with
Cantor Stephen Dubov.

Above:
The New Orleans Klezmer
All-Stars at Beth El's Jazz
Shabbat.

Right:
The Temple Beth El
Adult Choir

TV •

4/19
2002

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