44 | JUNE 2 • 2022
ARTS&LIFE
VIDEO REVIEW
I
make a point of listening to archived
Livestream or YouTube Festival
services from some of my favorite
congregations around the country.
Particularly moving and
relevant to world affairs
is the recording of the
Eighth Day of Passover
Hallel (the Psalms 113-118
recited on festivals) from
Congregation Shaarey
Zedek in Southfield. With
impeccable taste and
winsome vocal talent, Hazzan David
Propis, accompanied by a fine pianist
and impressive octet choir, seamlessly
offers traditional, longtime popular,
classical and contemporary renditions
of these psalms and the liturgical
blessings that introduce and conclude
them.
Besides the wonderful musical
settings, this video offers an impressive
glimpse into Shaarey Zedek’s soaring
and arresting bimah (1962), adorned
by strikingly crafted marble, wood and
glass, designed by masterful synagogue
architect Percival Goodman.
It highlights the triangular motifs
throughout the sanctuary and the large
halls that open into it. The expansive
interior is most conducive to social
distancing for everyone, including the
choir.
I would be remiss if I did not mention
the fine sermons available by the
rabbis of the congregation, especially a
Pesach Yizkor service by Senior Rabbi
Aaron Starr, who discusses memory
and blessing, the themes of a particular
psalm that is our focus here.
Particularly stunning is Hazzan
CSZ Hazzan David Propis’ Eighth Day of Passover Hallel
should not be missed.
Rabbi Elliot
B. Gertel
A Culturally Important
Ukraine-Jewish Music
Connection
The bimah
at Shaarey
Zedek