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Temple Sinai Oakland BULLETIN Temple Sinai Oakland 24 ADAR I – 24 ADAR II 5779 / MARCH 2019 / ISSUE 136 / OAKLANDSINAI.ORG HAPPY PURIM! Erev Purim Celebration Wednesday, March 20 5:30pm Pizza Dinner, Stern Hall RSVP for dinner at oaklandsinai.org 6:15pm Megillah Reading, and Purim Spiel: Harriet Potterspiel, Sanctuary The Annual Fantastical Super-Fun Exquisite Amazing PURIM CARNIVAL Sunday, March 24 Incredible Purim Spiel: Harriet Potterspiel, Challenging Games, Thrilling Prizes, Great Food—FUN! FUN! FUN! 9:30 – 10:30am Carnival for Kids Pre-K through 2nd Grade 10:30 – 11:30am Purim Spiel 11:30am – 1:00pm Carnival for Kids 3rd Grade and Higher oin the choirs of Temple Sinai in Oakland and St. Mark’s Episcopal JChurch in Berkeley as we explore the power of the Psalm texts. Featuring Cantor Ilene Keys George Anton Emblom, Choir Director Mizmor Shir! Musicians Friday, March 15, 7:30pm, Sanctuary Sunday, March 17, 9:45am St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley For more information contact Cantor Keys [email protected]. D’Var Torah TEMPLE SINAI usic has been associated with Jewish worship ever since the Main Office(510) 451-3263 MFirst Temple Period. In fact, it was King David who brought music to worship when he composed the Book of Psalms which later SARA KLEIN became the liturgy that accompanied the music in the Temple in Congregational President: ext. 403 Jerusalem. [email protected] The Book of Psalms holds an exalted place in the biblical canon, JACQUELINE MATES-MUCHIN coming first in the Ketuvim (Book of Writings). It is divided into Five Senior Rabbi: ext. 332 Books like the Five Books of Moses. In fact, the Midrash draws a [email protected] parallel between the Torah and the Psalms by stating, “Moses gave ILENE KEYS the five books of the Torah to Israel, and corresponding to them, David gave the five books Cantor: ext. 331 of the Psalms to Israel.” It is even believed that at one point, there existed a similar cycle of [email protected] weekly Psalm readings in association with the Torah and prophetical readings. YONI REGEV Whether the Book of Psalms was written by King David, or is just attributed to him, there Rabbi: ext. 333 is no doubt that the association of the psalms with King David rests upon very ancient [email protected] traditions. The King had a reputation of being a skillful musician on the lyre, an inventor of SAMUEL BROUDE musical instruments, a composer of dirges, and a “sweet singer of Israel.” He established Rabbi Emeritus: ext. 301 Jerusalem as the spiritual and religious center of Israel. King David was also responsible for [email protected] the organization of the guilds of Temple singers and musicians, as well as instituting the early STEVEN A. CHESTER liturgy of the Temple ritual. Rabbi Emeritus: ext. 301 [email protected] These singers and musicians came from the Levites, the sacred caste of Temple musicians who oversaw the liturgy in the Temple. The Levites offered Psalms of five various types. The DORIAN FARROW Executive Director: ext. 304 main type is the hymn which praises God. For this reason, the Book of Psalms is given the [email protected] Hebrew name “T’hilim”, meaning “praise”. ELLEN LEFKOWITZ The Mishnah reports that the Levitic chorus had to consist of a minimum of twelve adult Preschool Director: ext. 313 male singers in order to correspond with the twelve instrumentalists who made up the [email protected] Temple orchestra. Psalm 150 mentions the trumpet, lyre, harp, timbrel, cymbals, and organ; LISA LEVENBERG however, the emphasis was on the vocal music because of its ability to express thoughts and Interim Education Director: ext. 342 ideas through words. [email protected] Although the text for these Psalms has been preserved through the biblical canon, after the destruction of the Second Temple, the entire art of the instrumental music of the Levites fell into oblivion. However, the vocal music — the intonation or modes used for the chanting of the Psalms — has been retained through oral tradition. This oral tradition was transplanted into the synagogue, an institution which developed during the Second Temple Period. Even today, Psalms remain an integral part of our liturgy. We recite Psalms as part of the Hallel service on the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, as well as on Rosh Hodesh and Hanukkah. Psalms are recited during weddings, funerals, and grace after meals, and are also a part of the Kabbalat Shabbat liturgy welcoming the Sabbath. Daily, Psalms are recited as part of the morning liturgy called P’sukei D’zimra (Verses of Song) and TEMPLE TEMPLESINAI HAS BEEN SINAI CERTIFIED are intended to declare God’s praise every morning as a preparation for prayer. The tradition AS A BAY AREA GREEN BUSINESS Hallel Our Bulletin is printed on recycled of this Daily dates to the second century. paper at a printer registered as a Green The power of the recitation of Psalms is so strong that the Talmud states that, “He who recites Business and certified by the Psalms three times a day is certain to be vouchsafed in the world to come.” Thus, the Book of Forest Stewardship Council. We print Psalms has come to be the fountain from which millions of souls draw their inspiration and with earth-friendly soy-based ink. through which they have voiced their devotion for more than two thousand years. TEMPLE SINAI BULLETIN (USPS 7053) Holy to both Jews and Christians alike, the Psalms still stand supreme and possess great is published monthly except June, power. The Bishop of Alexandria in the fourth century stated, “The Psalms embrace the July and August by the First Hebrew entire human life, express every emotion of the soul, every impulse of the heart. When thy Congregation of Oakland, 2808 Summit soul yearns...when thy spirit is depressed or joyous...when thy soul is yearning to express its Street, Oakland, CA 94609. Periodicals thanks to God, or its pains -- for all these, the Psalms completely satisfy our needs.” Postage Paid at Oakland, CA and at additional mailing offices. Join our Temple Sinai Adult Choir and the choir from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Berkeley on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 7:30pm for Psalms of Ascent and Lament: An Exploration of the POSTMASTER: Send address changes Psalm Texts and Mizmor Shir! Shabbat. We will sing settings from the Book of Psalms from to Temple Sinai Bulletin, 2808 Summit two musical traditions, and together we will celebrate Mizmor L’David, King David’s sweet Street, Oakland CA 94609-3605. songs of worship. - Cantor Ilene Keys 2 n Temple Sinai n March 2019 WORSHIPPrayer First Friday Shabbat in the Round Schedule of Services Friday, March 1, 6:30pm, Albers Chapel Friday, March 1, 6:30pm First Friday This month join Rabbi Mates-Muchin, Cantor Keys, SHABBAT First Friday Shabbat in the Round, song leader Isaac Zones, and the First Friday Players IN THE Albers Chapel to welcome Shabbat with a new song-filled worship ROUND Saturday, March 2, 10:30am service celebrating the richness of Kabbalat Shabbat Shabbat Morning Service with the and the spirit of community. Bar Mitzvah of Alden Meil, Sanctuary Call for Musicians! Friday, March 8, 6:30pm Beginning on Friday, March 1, we invite members of the congregation who are Erev Shabbat Family Service, Led by 3rd proficient in an instrument (excluding piano) to join the First Friday in Round and 4th Grades with Music by Junior Shabbat Players for a jam session to learn a few of the melodies used during Choir, Sanctuary the service which follows at 6:30pm. Please bring your instrument and join us at Saturday, March 9, 10:30am 5:30pm. We will provide the music. Shabbat Morning Service with the B’not Mitzvah of Amy Jo Goldfarb, Erev Shabbat Service with 3rd and 4th Grade Religious Barbara Morrison, Christina Greenberg, School and Junior Choir Leading Christine Zwerling, Jessica Eiselman, Liz Daoust, and Mantra Robinson, Friday, March 8, 5:30pm Dinner, 6:30pm Service, Sanctuary Sanctuary Join us as we welcome the Shabbat with candle-lighting, song and prayer. Friday evening services often include teaching sessions, sermons, guest speakers, or Friday, March 15, 7:30pm special musical services. RSVP for the Family Dinner at 5:30pm at oaklandsinai.org. Psalms of Ascent and Lament: An Exploration of the Psalm Texts with Services are followed by an Oneg Shabbat where members and guests can mingle Mizmor Shir! Shabbat. See Bulletin cover informally and enjoy the Shabbat spirit together. for details. Sababa Shabbat Friday Night Service Saturday, March 16, 10:30am with Dinner Shabbat Morning Minyan, Albers Chapel Shabbat Morning Service with the Friday, March 15, 5:30pm, Albers Chapel Bar Mitzvah of Micah Feldman, Sababa Shabbat is our monthly family Shabbat celebration Sanctuary for children ages 0 – 8 and their families. Connect over easy pizza dinner and welcome Shabbat with service, song, and Wednesday, March 20, 6:15pm play. RSVP for dinner at oaklandsinai.org. Erev Purim, Megillah Reading, and Purim Spiel, Sanctuary Erev Shabbat — Mizmor Shir! Service Friday, March 22, 6:30pm Erev Shabbat Service, Albers Chapel with the Temple Sinai Adult Choir Saturday, March 23, 10:30am and St. Mark’s Church Choir: Shabbat Morning Service, Albers Chapel Psalms of Ascent and Lament Friday, March 15, 7:30pm, Sanctuary Sunday, March 24, 10:30am Purim Spiel, Sanctuary See Bulletin cover for details. Friday, March 29, 6:30pm Erev Shabbat Service, Albers Chapel Monthly Shabbat Morning Minyan followed by the screening of congregant Saturday, March 16, Robert Schoen’s documentary film, On 10:30am, Albers Chapel God’s Radar: A Coast to Coast Journey The Shabbat Minyan service Saturday, March 30, 10:30am is filled with spirit, music, and Shabbat Morning Service with the community.
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