MAY 30 • 2024 | 51

on recordings, stages and
television. “Music speaks to
the soul, and it is used to
elevate and inspire. It causes
physiological changes unlike
anything else.
“I believe we were
meant to sing and create
music to bring
us pleasure and
closer together.
Even though we
are a large Jewish
community caring
about one another,
we live in different
pockets. This is
an opportunity
for our entire
community to
gather and revel
in talent that is so
expansive in our
Michigan Board of
Cantors.”
Gross, who
performed with
the group every
year except the
first and during
the pandemic, shares these
entertainment experiences
with Steyer since 2010.
He will be singing “The
Impossible Dream”
introduced in the play Man
of La Mancha.
“For my solo, I wanted to
do something that I think
most of the audience will
recognize,” Gross said. “I
think it’s important that we
present repertoire that is

known because people then
have a connection to the
music.
“When people hear
something new, that’s
nice, but there’s no past
connection. I wanted to do
something that’s familiar
and also uplifting during
such challenging times as we
are facing. I wanted to sing a
song that gives people some
inspiration and moves them
with some optimism.”
Concerning the entire
program and its range of
presentations, Gross sees
many purposes being
fulfilled.
“This program brings a
night of entertainment, a
chance to see cantors in
a different light,
performing on
stage as opposed
to leading services
on the bimah,
hence the title Off
the Bimah,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity
to bring together
a diverse section
of the community
with cantors
representing different
congregations across
the community.
“It’s nice to bring
people together
for this communal
event. The pandemic
was so hard on
people because it
was isolating, and I
think we’re slowly coming
out of that. Any opportunity
to bring our community
together is very special.”
The program will last
about an hour and a half and
include musicians under the
direction of Cliff Monear
at the piano. Proceeds
will go as tzedakah to the
Michigan Board of Cantors
organization with part
intended for scholarships.

Details
Off the Bimah will begin
at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,
June 5, at the Berman
Center for the Performing
Arts in the West
Bloomfield J (Jewish
Community Center).
$35-$65 in person. $25
streaming. (248) 406-6677.
theberman.org.

Cantor Penny M.
Steyer

Hazzan Dan Gross

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