Music

Volunteer Soloists

Temple B'nai Shalom's corps of volunteer song leaders -Rob, Rachel and Janet - joyfully lead music for our services.

Rob Weissman grew up in New Jersey, where he was a song leader for the Jersey Federation of Temple Youth (many, many years ago). His family (wife Marilyn, son Adam, and daughter Sarah) were founding members of the Temple; Sarah was actually the first girl born within TBS. Rob is delighted to have led music at services at TBS for more than 10 years. When not playing guitar, Rob practices law as general counsel for an environmental consulting firm.

Rachel Schreiman grew up in Southern California where as a teenager and young adult she studied voice and led songs for her National Federation of Temple Youth region and at the Union of Reform Judaism's Camp Swig. After packing up her guitar and focusing on career and family for many years, Rachel along with her husband Dave and three sons Jacob, Evan, and Adam relocated to Virginia and joined TBS where she agreed to teach music. Working with Temple youth rekindled Rachel's love of Jewish music and she is thrilled to be able to share that joy during Tot Shabbat and regular Shabbat services in the main sanctuary.

Janet Christensen is a senior at Fairfax High School, where she plays trumpet in the symphonic band. Janet started singing in Youth Choir and is a member of the Gimel Girls (Temple members who started singing together in the sixth grade). This year Janet also serves as a song leader for the North American Federation of Temple Youth Mid-Atlantic Region.

Judy Ginsburgh

Temple B'nai Shalom anticipates with enthusiasm Judy Caplan Ginsburgh's return as our High Holy Day cantorial soloist. She adds incalculably to the enjoyment of our services. Judy is a multi-award winning singer, recording artist, and educator. She has been a Louisiana State Roster Artist since 1988 and was named the Louisiana Professional Artist of the Year in 1999. Her recordings of children's music have received three Parents' Choice Awards and a Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center. Judy typically presents more than 100 concerts a year in schools, libraries, community centers, museums, and festivals throughout North America. She was the very first High Holy Day soloist at TBS in 1986. For more information, check out her website at http://www.judymusic.com.

Choirs – Opportunities to Sing

Temple B'nai Shalom offers many opportunities for anyone who likes to sing. Our Friday night services are filled with music. We have organized singing groups and groups that meet for special services throughout the year.

The TBS Youth Choir is open to all 3rd through 7th graders. It is a fun group that rehearses most Sundays between Religious School Sessions. The choir acquaints the children with a wide variety of Jewish music, from traditional to contemporary. Several times each year, the choir performs during Friday night family services. The Youth Choir practices during the school year from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. (between Religious School sessions)

We also have an adult choir open to any adult who likes to sing. The group sings at our Thanksgiving service and has been called upon to sing at other times through out the year at services and special events. The men and women, and older teens who participate find this an important way to nourish their love for singing with their connection to our temple.

We have had teen youth choirs in the past and hope to start a new one this fall.

Meditative Music

Have you attended our Meditative Music sessions before Friday night services? They're a wonderful transition from the work-a-day week into the Shabbat mood.
This year Sue Kohn performs most of the musical meditations, with Brad Stein performing from time to time.

Meditative Music can be heard once a month at 7:45 p.m. before Friday night services. Check the calendar for details.

TBS hosts Guest Artists

TBS is proud to be a music-loving congregation. We have been honored to host concerts/guest artists at the temple — Rick Recht (25th Anniversary Year Artist-in-Residence (2010/2011), Sheldon Low, Beth Schafer, Craig Taubman, Doug Cotler, Debbie Friedman z”l, VISIONS, Jon Simon, SAFAM, Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller, Robyn Helzner (Cantorial Solist for ten years) and others.

Brotherhood Makes Beautiful Music

Brotherhood offers a Jewish Musical Meditations CD created by our very own Brad Stein. You may have heard Brad playing Jewish Musical Meditations before Friday night services, and his piano virtuosity has been captured for our listening pleasure.

This CD features Brad's arrangements of your favorite traditional and contemporary Jewish music. Brotherhood donates all proceeds from CD sales to TBS. Come visit us at Bagel Bar for a listen, or contact Brad Stein for additional information.