20A
Federation Star
SYNAGOGUE NEWS
February 2024
BETH TIKVAH
www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818
When you need a minyan Joseph Henson President
S
o, what is a minyan? The standard Oxford dictionary definition is straightforward: a quorum of ten men (or at Beth Tikvah, men and women) over the age of 13 that are required for Jewish public worship. Although this may seem circular, Jewish public worship is reciting out loud, so other worshipers can hear, nine specific prayers which may only be said when a minyan is available and present. Probably most Jews know that 10 is the number required to constitute a minyan. That may seem unambiguous, but it is not always. Across the Jewish spectrum of liberal through traditional to orthodox policies
and practices (yes, all Jews but many opinions) guiding minyan, implementations vary. To add even more quibbling along this same spectrum, differences arise about the exact number required for a minyan, who may be included in the minyan and how long do they need to remain to be counted in the minyan. What are examples of public worship that require a minyan? Of these, the most well known are probably the Kaddish and Barchu prayers and reading from the Torah. Many would say it’s easy to get a minyan for these prayers as they are among those recited each and every Shabbat. Most congregations can make minyan on Shabbat. Even Beth Tikvah, which has north-south tidal flows of snowbirds, usually will have enough Jews on Shabbat morning or Friday evening when Zoom participation has been helpful. As mentioned, among the different Jewish factions, there are some variations in religious custom. So, when it is
NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION
most difficult for a smaller conservative congregation like Beth Tikvah to bring together a minyan to recite some or all of these nine specific prayers? Virtually always when someone requests a minyan outside of the usual pattern of religious services — Friday evening, Shabbat morning and, in season, Sunday morning minyan. In almost all instances, it’s when a person having a yahrzeit (the anniversary of the death of a loved one) requests a minyan to recite Kaddish, the mourner’s prayer. Within the Conserative movement, Kaddish is recited individually by those having a yahrzeit rather than as the congregation as a whole. As a policy, Beth Tikvah responds to both member and nonmember requests for a minyan. One very special minyan request that I remember was when a family requested a minyan for their twin daughters’ bat mitzvahs. COVID had prevented them from traveling to Israel to celebrate this major lifecycle event, but Beth Tikvah
stepped up for them. It was a wonderful day. The two young ladies read beautifully from the Torah, something that they would have been unable to do without a minyan. The family was very pleased that Beth Tikvah was able to be there for their daughters. Are there other benefits to being in a minyan? Well, joining a minyan in your shul is a mitzvah and has clear religious purpose as it fulfills one of God’s commandments. But just as important for most is the social aspect of coming together in mutual support of other Jews, whether they are grieving or rejoicing. In fact, I will be joining a minyan this Thursday as a friend says Kaddish on her mother’s yahrzeit. Please check our website for a listing of other minyan requests. Why don’t you join us?! The feeling of community at these often small, intimate services is a unique way to sense the connectivity of us all.
www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-431-3858
Listen Up! Help NJC celebrate 25th anniversary By Ron Radin, Chair of the Artist in Residence Committee
M
ark your calendars, March 10, for the return of the internationally known a capella group Listen Up! (“LU!”) to Naples through the joint sponsorship of the Naples Jewish Congregation (NJC) and Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. This Chicagobased group’s creation as a jazz quintet goes back to 1992. Their name is based on their first album, “Shimu Na” (Please Listen). Since then, they have transitioned into a quartet, including two original members, their leader, Steve Singer, and his wife, Rebecca (back after a 19-year hiatus), and two more recent members, Eli Taylor and Aron Wolgel. Their performances deliver warmth and knock-yoursocks-off vocal power through “Ahavat Yisrael” (a love of Israel) and “Yiddishkeit” (the Jewish way of Life). The members of Listen Up! have backgrounds as educators with all four vocalists having unique talents that contribute to the success of this outstanding vocal group. Steve Singer is their musical director, arranger, bassist and percussionist. Originally trained as a molecular neuropharmacologist, he loves experimenting with new sounds, providing an eclectic flair and rhythmic soul. Rebecca, an alto lead, helped launch the group where she and Singer met. To her, “there is nothing more uplifting than singing songs of our tefillot (prayers) and Israel in close harmony, while audiences sing along to the songs of their
youth.” Singer is thrilled to have Rebecca singing with them again. Eli Taylor, the tenor lead, is a vocal anchor for this amazing group. Taylor delights in combining his passion for music with his love for Judaism and Israel. Aron Wolgel, a baritone/bass and newest member of the group, is a composer, arranger and enjoys writing comedic parody lyrics. What helps sets LU! apart is Rebecca. Per Singer, “There are lots of boy bands in the Jewish a capella world. We were one of the first professional Jewish a cappella groups in the U.S. and we’re still the only one that performs as a mixed quartet. Our focus on Israeli music also sets us apart. Lastly, including rhythm and percussion really distinguishes our unique sound from other ensembles.” When asked where their inspiration comes from, it includes “lots of different sources of Jewish song and culture ... liturgy, different eras, Jewish communities around the world, and the rich diversity of musical styles in Israel’s seven-plus decades.” LU!’s goal is to have their music connect people to their Judaism and Israel.
They strive to meet people where they are and “appeal to audiences that come to their Jewish life very differently.” They hope to inspire you to learn how Jewish music is a large apart of our culture and Jewish life. NJC is most appreciative of the continuing support of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples since the inception of NJC’s Artist Program 10 years ago. This year’s most generous grant serves to underwrite this concert with LU! and is particularly gratifying in helping us celebrate our congregation’s 25th anniversary.
PLEASE HELP US BUILD COMMUNITY!
LU! revels in audience engagement and participation. They want you to feel the joy they experience performing for you, a night you will not soon forget! Come see why the Chicago Tribune raves, “What comes across in every moment of Listen UP!’s performance is an adoration for singing-turning melodies and harmonics on their heads to come up with something unique and full of freshness and appeal.” Learn more at www.jewishsong.com, plus find their music on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. Tickets may be purchased at naples jewishcongregation.org.
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