32 | MARCH 4 • 2021 

ARTS&LIFE

MUSIC

R

abbi Ariana Silverman 
has been impressed 
watching her two 
children, ages 4 and 6, as 
they participate in remote Tot 
Shabbat services offered this 
year by the congregation she 
leads. 
The rabbi enjoys the way 
they have learned and enthusi-
astically sing along with Gavri 
Yares — new musician-in-res-
idence for the Isaac Agree 
Downtown Synagogue — and 
she is uplifted when hearing 
her son and daughter repeat 
the songs on their own during 
the week.
Through the current Zoom 
programming, Silverman glad-
ly watches responsive reac-

tions from others, youths and 
adults, taking part in novel 
musical initiatives.
“We have, as a synagogue, 
been singing together, but 
Gavri brings an expertise that 
we did not have, and that has 
been very enrich-
ing,” Silverman 
said. “Music 
brings another 
way of being unit-
ed as our voices 
are joining, and 
he has introduced 
us to melodies 
we didn’t know 
before.”
Last fall, Yares 
began appearing 
twice a month to 

sing and play guitar, drums, 
bass and oud. As the pandemic 
required virtual services, his 
appearances became more reg-
ular for Shabbat, Havdalah and 
holiday worship.
“The rabbi and I shape our 
services so they 
serve the commu-
nity,” said Yares, 
36, who also holds 
a full-time posi-
tion as a music 
teacher for Huron 
Valley Schools. 
 “Once COVID 
is over, we’re look-
ing at doing some 
singing circles, 
workshops and 
other ways for 

people to come together.”
A big motivation is prepar-
ing to celebrate the centennial 
year of the synagogue.
“I plan on using my expe-
riences to strengthen the 
Downtown Synagogue’s 
musical traditions while 
incorporating new melodies 
into prayer services for all 
ages and including local guest 
musicians,” said Yares, who 
was welcomed during Shabbat 
Shirah (song or poetry) in 
January.
“Shabbat Shirah holds the 
Torah reading which contains 
the ‘Shirat Hayam’ or ‘Song of 
the Sea.’ Moses, Miriam and 
the children of Israel sang this 
song after successfully cross-
ing the Sea of Reeds as they 
fled Egypt and slavery. That 
was our first Shabbat in Song, 
and we are planning monthly 
music-centric services.”
Yares’ resume outlines 
a diverse background that 
includes similar work at syn-
agogues in Washington, D.C., 

United in Song

Musician-in-residence uplifts Downtown Synagogue.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DETAILS
Instructions on 
joining a particular 
service on Zoom 
can be accessed 
the Friday after-
noon before the 
service by going 
to downtownsyn-
agogue.org/ser-
vices.

Gavri Yares

