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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