Community 'Heart Of Shir Shalom' Tribute concert to honor Steyer's 20th anniversary on bimah. Amy Douville Special to the Jewish News W ith music, laughter and love, members and friends of Temple Shir Shalom will honor Penny Steyer on her 20th anniver- sary with the congregation with a tribute concert on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the West Bloomfield synagogue. "I grew up on Long Island and our family was very active at my congrega- tion, Union Reform Temple;' Steyer said. "I sang with my mom in our temple's adult choir every Friday night and began leading children's services when I was Please join us as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Yad Ezra, the kosher food pantry, feeding vulnerable families Margot and Jerry Halperin Honorees Monday, October 11, 2010 Congregation Shaarey Zedek Strolling Supper 6:00 pm Short Program to follow Couvert $180 per adult Penny and Harold Blumenstein Beverly and Arthur Liss Jane and D. Larry Sherman Dinner Co-Chairpersons Ken Bernard President of, 0s -0 , Yad Ezra Feeding the Jewish Hungry Michigan allows an income tax credit for individuals equal to 50% of the amount of the cash contribution (subject to certain limitations) to organizations such as Yad Ezra that provide food or shelter to the indigent. The fair market value of the dinner for tax purposes is $60 per person. For information or reservations, call (248) 548-3663 or email lea@yadezra.org 28 October 7 • 2010 just 14. "Following high school graduation, my family moved to Miami, where I attended the University of Miami. Both my parents were professional musicians, and I decided to follow suit. I graduated with a degree in cho- ral conducting, music education, voice and piano." In pursuit of her music career, she traveled the world. In the U.S., she sang at many synagogues, but was never able to find a place that felt like home. After moving to West Bloomfield in the late 1970s, Steyer began work- ing as music director for the Jewish Parent's Institute at the Jewish Community Center. "I chose Michigan because I had spent many summers here visiting my mother's family." A friend urged her to attend ser- vices at Shir Shalom; she went the fol- lowing Shabbat. "Everyone was incredibly warm and welcoming," Steyer said. "The service was beautiful. The rabbi was engaging and interesting. The space had a com- fort and ease like being in someone's home; and the prayer book, written by Rabbi Dannel Schwartz, made me feel like I had gone home. "After services, my friend spotted me in the crowd, grabbed me by the hand, took me to the young rabbi in the white robe and said, 'Rabbi Schwartz, I'd like you to meet your new choir director, Penny Steyer."' A meeting was held the next week. "He wanted me to build a volunteer choir from scratch," Steyer said. "I was writing choral arrangements by hand with melodies in my head from my teenage years at Union Reform Temple. Together, we built a religious school music program." She also worked as part-time, then full-time cantorial soloist. Penny Steyer brings passion to her music. "We at Shir Shalom regard Penny as our cantor:' said Schwartz, founding Shir Shalom rabbi. "Many years ago, we com- missioned her as our cantor based on her knowledge, experience and love for Judaism. "The position of the Union of Reform Judaism states that you do not need to be ordained to be an official cantor. Penny has chosen to continue her stud- ies with a more traditional movement by joining the Cantors Association in New York and has become a CICA (Cantor Intern at the Cantor Association), and she has been studying with Cantor Meir Finkelstein of Shaarey Zedek for many years." "It has been an amazing ride:' Steyer said. "Through the donation of time and talent of many people, we grew an unparalleled volunteer adult choir, a gui- tar ensemble, a klezmer ensemble and youth choir." Steyer also trains b'nai mitzvah stu- dents, directs adult and youth choirs and teaches adult education classes. "It was a challenge in the beginning, but it was fun," she said. "My children and I had finally found a spiritual home and an extended family. I knew we were here to stay." "Penny was the essential part we needed at Shir Shalom," Schwartz said. "The entire concept of Shir Shalom was based on a spiritual element, and Penny gave it music. She molded herself into the ideology of the congregation, and Shir Shalom on page 29 Festivities begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Temple Shir Shalom with hors d'oeuvres, followed by a tribute concert featuring Dr. Andrew Cooperstock, piano professor, University of Colorado; Dr. William Terwilliger, violin professor, University of South Carolina; Cantor Meir Finkelstein of Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield; Alfred Heller, composer, conductor, pianist and music publisher; the Zamir Chorale of Metropolitan Detroit; Tiffany Steyer Green, cantorial soloist at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield; Matthew Steyer, musician, teacher, writer and visiting cantorial soloist; Rochelle Barr, Shir Shalom pianist, and the Temple Shir Shalom Choir. Dessert following. An encore matinee performance: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct.10. Tickets are $36 per person, per event; $10 per student. (248) 737-8700.