spirit

Emanu-El
cantorial soloist
works to include
more music.

KELLY ONICKEL
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Up Tempo

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verything is coming up music at
the year concert with our Yachad Religious
Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park.
School.
Since becoming the cantorial
This year we have two more music
soloist more than four years ago, I
Shabbatot coming up: a ’50s Rock n’
ABOVE:
have made it my mission to bring
Roll/Rockabilly Shabbat on Friday,
more music into worship services. Beatles Shabbat March 21, at 7 p.m. and a Beatles
at Temple
At a recent Erev Shabbat, I
Shabbat on Friday, June 9, at 7 p.m.
Emanu-El
brought in special guest musician
Both are open to all.
Mark Bloom to lead a wonderful
It was very important to me to
Jazz Shabbat service. On Feb. 10,
reinvigorate Temple Emanu-El’s
we had a Latin Shabbat, welcom-
Music Committee. This commit-
ing back the Sam Harris band, a group of
tee for the past two years has arranged
Wayne State University students and grad- a Musicafe series hosted in congregants’
uates who have become Temple Emanu-
homes, bringing back the “salon perfor-
El’s house band.
mance” style of the 19th century. Temple
They play for our music Shabbatot three and the committee also have a bi-annual
times a year: Rosh Hashanah services,
“Temple’s Got Talent” talent show.
Erev Simchat Torah service and our end of
Also, our Adult Education Committee

has arranged a Spring Festival — Jews
and the Arts — and they are partnering
with our Music Committee in hosting a
Motown Review at 11 a.m. Sunday, April
30. The Music Committee is sponsoring
the group The V-Jetts Jazz Ensemble of
Cass Tech High School to perform for this
event, once again supporting young musi-
cians in our community.
I am blessed to have two amazing
choirs: our Shiru Dor L’dor Youth Choir
and our Shir Chadash Adult Choir. Each
choir sings at one service each month and
for all holiday and festival worship ser-
vices. Choir members also commit to giv-
ing back to the community. It is our belief
that God gave us the ability to sing and
perform, so we must give back. •

UP Synagogue

Beth Sholom
buys Marquette
building as its
future home.

LAUREN YELLEN
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

40

March 16 • 2017

jn

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t the end of December, Temple Beth
Sholom bought a future home that
is 15 miles closer to the “Jewish
hub” of Marquette. Being one of the Upper
Peninsula’s few synagogues, there is a need
for creative problem-solving, and this was
our answer.
Historically, the old building fit the needs
of the community in the 1950s. It was built
by the sweat and tears of the iron miners
of Ishpeming. But times have changed, and
a strong majority of the congregation now
lives near Marquette or at least frequents
it often, thanks to the hospital there and
Northern Michigan University.
In hopes that more Jewish students will
attend NMU in the future, a home closer to

campus is expected to encourage more stu-
dents to come to services and other events.
Through a generous donation and commit-
ment from the membership, the purchase
of the Citadel became a reality.
Built as a Christian Science Church in
the 1920s, the building fits the community’s
needs. The location is near the Landmark
Inn in downtown Marquette, making it very
accessible.
The previous owner had used the space
as a private dwelling and two apartments.
Renovations to re-create the sanctuary and
library on the upper level and a social hall
on the lower level will begin soon and is
anticipated to take a year to complete. Beth
Sholom’s famous stained glass windows

The Citadel building in Marquette is being renovated as
the new home of Temple Beth Sholom.

from the Ishpeming building will be relo-
cated to the Citadel. •

To donate toward the renovation, send a check or
pledge to P.O. Box 482, Marquette, MI 49855,
noting “capital campaign” on your check, or send a
commitment to cary.gottlieb@gmail.com.