24 | SEPTEMBER 8 • 2022 

T

o celebrate 20 years of 
operation, The Shul 
of West Bloomfield is 
marking the anniversary mile-
stone with a special Broadway-
esque night out for the commu-
nity.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 
6:30 p.m., the synagogue will 
host Broadway at 
The Shul, a musi-
cal evening with 
Brooklyn-based 
hazan, sommelier, 
mixologist and 
vocal coach David 
Babinet.
A classically 
trained musician, Babinet will 
perform a mix of opera, Israeli, 
Yiddish, cantorial and Chasidic 
music, while pairing the sounds 
with carefully crafted themed 
custom cocktails inspired by the 
upcoming High Holidays.
Fittingly, the event is tak-
ing place just before Rosh 
Hashanah, which holds a special 
meaning for The Shul. On Rosh 
Hashanah in 2002, leadership 
officially moved into the facility.
“For us, it’s a wonderful time 
to celebrate and for the commu-
nity to come together,
” says The 
Shul’s spiritual director Rabbi 
Kasriel Shemtov. “Many mem-
bers of the community have 

been involved [with us] all the 
way back since the beginning.
”

CELEBRATING THE FUTURE
Featuring an open bar and sweet 
and savory boards, among other 
treats, the event will be a chance 
for congregants to socialize as 
the COVID-19 pandemic seems 
to be winding down.
“Over the last few months, 
I’ve seen an uptick of people 
coming together and looking 
to be together,
” Shemtov says of 
synagogue events. “Everyone is 
looking to celebrate.
”
Shemtov calls the Broadway 
event that The Shul is planning 
a “beautiful, elegant evening” 
that will get the Jewish commu-
nity ready and excited to wel-
come the new year.
“We celebrate The Shul and 
its future,
” Shemtov says, “and 
the community at large.
”

AN INSPIRING STORY
Throughout the night, Babinet 
will be sharing his inspiring 
life story and the lessons he’s 
learned.
Growing up in Connecticut 
in an ex-hippy family, Babinet 
didn’t have much exposure to 
Judaism. His childhood would 
include Chanukah candles and 
an occasional Passover seder, 

but not much more.
After moving to Colorado, 
Babinet developed a passion for 
outdoor activities. Yet, after a 
rock-climbing accident, he was 
forced to reevaluate his life and 
his future.
Always a fan of music, 
Babinet decided to pursue the-

ater and auditioned for a play. 
This, in turn, led to musical and 
voice lessons, which Babinet 
discovered he had a talent for.
Babinet studied music at the 
University of Colorado and later 
joined a top master’s opera pro-
gram in Cincinnati, which even-
tually led to participating in a 
program in Italy. He continued 
to study music at various pro-
grams throughout the United 
States.
In 2004, after his opera 
career led him to Israel, Babinet 
discovered Chabad. He found 

a way to “sing toward God” 
with meaningful lyrics and 
ancient-inspired music.
One year later, he joined 
a yeshivah and relocated to 
Crown Heights, where he lives 
with his wife and kids. In the 
following years, Babinet also 
studied wine-making.

THE SWEETNESS 
OF THE NEW YEAR
Now, Babinet is gearing up 
for Broadway at The Shul 
and tinkering with High 
Holiday-inspired drinks. “One 
idea I have is a drink with 
pomegranates,
” Babinet says. 
“Pomegranates have 613 seeds, 
which correspond with all the 
mitzvahs.
”
He says a Jew is “full of mitz-
vahs like a pomegranate is full 
of seeds,
” making it the perfect 
flavor to introduce in themed 
cocktails for the event. Another 
idea, Babinet says, is to create an 
apple-and-honey beverage that 
symbolizes the sweetness of the 
new year.
“We’re doing a full mixology 
bar, so it’s very exciting,
” Babinet 
says. “We’re going all out.
”
Shemtov says Jewish mem-
bers and non-members alike 
can participate in Broadway at 
The Shul or services, regardless 
of affiliation. “Every Jew is wel-
come,
” he explains.
The Shul’s spiritual director 
says more events are in store 
to celebrate The Shul’s 20-year 
anniversary in the near future, 
but he can’t share details just yet.
“When you look back and 
realize how many beautiful 
souls have been inspired and 
how much more work there is 
to do, it makes you really look 
forward,
” Shemtov says. “The 
20th anniversary is only the 
beginning. We’re going to be 
able to go to the next level.
” 

Tickets are $36 in advance and $50 at 

the door. Get tickets at theshul.net/tools/
events/register_cdo/eventid/13607.

The Shul

 20 Years

OUR COMMUNITY

Occasion will be marked 
by Broadway-style 
evening Sept. 14.

Rabbi 
Kasriel 
Shemtov

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY 
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

David Babinet will be serving 
up High Holiday-themed 
cocktails at the event.

David 
Babinet

Celebrates

