I Spirituality Song-Filled Shabbat Temple Israel releases CD recording of its Friday-night music. Suzanne Chessler Special to the Jewish News T emple Israel, among popular centers of worship in America's Reform movement, is known to have large Friday-night Kabbalat Shabbat services, especially when the warm weath- er moves the congregation and guests out- side to the Wasserman Pavilion. The prayer is dramatic and musical with established singers and instrumen- talists inviting participation from every- one in attendance. That can mean a cho- rus of as many as 2,000 joining together in a united expression of spirituality. As the rabbis and cantorial leaders get this year's seasonal services off the ground at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27, they will cel- ebrate a new project that offers members and nonmembers a way to hear — and also join in with — the chanting in the privacy of their own homes. A new CD, Kavanat Haruach ("Focusing the Spirit"), which features the voices of Cantor Michael Smolash and Cantorial Soloist Neil Michaels, is being released and offered for sale. Proceeds will help provide religious school scholarships for needy families. "We wanted to create a world that con- nects people to prayer:' Smolash explains about the innovative services now cap- tured on CD. "We got the idea for the recording from comments made after services, when people would ask if we had a CD with the music?' Bill Faber, Chuck Freedman, Howard Katz Kol Ami Volunteer Feted On June 6, Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield held a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Installation Service. Those in attendance were members who volunteer in all aspects of temple life, working on social action projects such as Relay for Life, assist- ing in the temple office, developing adult A34 June 19 • 2008 1., - Cantor Michael Smolash and Cantorial Soloist Neil Michaels at the Dearborn Heights recording studio where they made Kavanat Haruach. The recording reaches from new ver- ning to end?' sions of the traditional "Ein Keloheinu" Helping to make the CD sound profes- and "L'cha Dodi" to the ,__ sional was co-producer more modern selec- Ari Posner, a Toronto avatta tions of Rabbi Shlomo composer who has won rtinn ram Carlebach's "Nigg le Juno and Gemini awards ("Ki Va Moed") and Rick and was nominated for i Recht's "Mi Chamoca." i an Emmy for the best "Our tracks come from song in an animated TV all the years of trying show. material and noticing The work was done at how people responded:' Studio A Recording in focusing the spirit the k.htiaiit thabbat mufic or temple Watt 9 Michaels says about Dearborn Heights, where the project started in costs were underwrit- January and completed in April. "We ten by temple members Shari and Stanley wanted it to be professional from begin- Finsilver, Nancy Katzman and family and Hilary and Edan King. Engineer Todd Fairall holds a Grammy for his work on a gospel album. "I believe that we have great musicians to support the vocals, and I'm pleased that a number of talented people participat- ing in our services and on the CD are volunteers:' says Smolash, a planner of the Friday night programs that run until the end of August. The 15 tracks come together with differ- ent styles, moods and sounds. The cover was chosen from pictures taken at Friday night services by David Tisdale, executive director of Temple Israel. "We thought this through carefully and recorded almost all of the pieces in one day:' Michaels says. "It's been a wonderful experience to share this music and cre- ate something that reaches beyond our temple?' 0 ,,,,..* learning programs, planning fundraising events and serving on the temple's board of trustees. Bill Faber of Orchard Lake and Howard Katz of Bloomfield Hills, co-presidents, pre- sented Chuck Freedman of Walled Lake with the Temple Kol Ami's 2008 Volunteer of the Year Award for outstanding work on many temple committees. His expertise is technol- ogy so he helps to manage the temple's Web site and sits on the technology committee. He is also an active member of the adver- tising and membership committees and is on the board of trustees. He spearheaded the formation of the temple's men's softball team. On Sundays, Freedman organizes the Shmooze Room for parents waiting while their children are in religious school. Beth El Sisterhood On May 28, Lucille Gersten was installed as president of the sister- hood of Temple Beth El, Bloomfield Township. She has served as co-admin- istrative vice president Lucille and on Sisterhood's Social Gersten Action, Spa Day and Donor Luncheon com- mittees and the annual Crooz and Schmooz. Also installed were administrative vice presidents Harriet Cooperman and Dolly Lax, programming vice president Carolyn Silverstein; membership, Betty Schare; and social action, Sandy Beigler and Harriett Hollander. Other newly installed officers include trea- Kavanat Haruach can be obtained Friday evenings at Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Rd., West Bloomfield. In observance of Shabbat, money ($18) should be sent in later. Recordings also can be purchased by calling Susan Toohy at (248) 661-5700 or by e-mailing stoohy@temple-israel.org . surer, Rochelle Nelson; assistant treasurer, Miriam Cohen; corresponding secretary, Lois Freeman; and recording secretary, Sue Lepler. Program heads include Jill Gurwin and Suzette Chaiken, Party Planning Showcase; Sue Goldsmith, gift shop; Karen Lowen, high school liaison; Shelly Fogelman, Purim Carnival; nursery school liaison Myra Harper; education committee liaison Harriett Hollander. Elected to the board are Sharyl Ackerman, Cindy Bolokofsky, Marla Canvasser, Cindy Cohen, Marilyn Dizik, Barbara Edelman, Mary Epstein, Jane Foreman, Renee Jablonski, Karen Kaczander, Phyllis Loewenstein, Judy Martens, Joyce Meckler Miller, Sandy Moss, Karen Myerson, Laurie Nedelman, Anne Weiner and Debris Weinstein-Hall.