'Muse and Music' for Israel's 60th at Emanu-El

Jason Cohen
May 23, 2008
 

The Makhelat Hamercaz Jewish Choir of Central New Jersey will be holding its annual spring concert in dedication to Israel's 60th birthday entitled: "Singing with the poets: the Muse and Music of Israel." Harry Bernstein will be honored for contributions to the Central N.J. Jewish community and Israel.

"We chose to honor him because his vision got the community together," said Cantor Anna West-Ott, who, along with Hazzan Sheldon Levin, conducts the choir.

The event will take place Thursday, June 12 at Temple Emanu-El of Edison.

Under the guidance and direction of West-Ott and Levin, the choir was created in 2003 and has thrived for the past five years. They have attracted more than 50 singers from Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, and Somerset counties. The music varies from religious, secular, classical, jazz, pop, and folk tunes sung in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English. It is one of 50 local art groups to receive a 2007 grant from Middlesex Cultural and Heritage Commission. It is a non- profit organization that is funded by the NJ state Council of the Arts.

West-Ott has been cantor at Anshe Emeth of New Brunswick since 1999, founded Anshe Segulah men's chorus, directed Kol Halayla, a Jewish acapella ensemble of Rutgers University, sung with NJ Cantors ensemble, and in September 2003, along with Levin, founded Makhelat Hamercaz Jewish Choir.

She had been approached by many in the community about starting the choir. West-Ott said that Jews can feel connected to music.

"All Jews can come together through Jewish music," she said.

West-Ott said the world doesn't see the Jewish community as Orthodox or Conservative, just sees as Jews.

"Jews need to maintain a united front to their advantage," West-Ott said.

According to West-Ott, singing makes a person feel good and offers natural connections beyond Judaism.

"Music is very important in reaffirming cultural heritage, pride, and Jewish culture," she said.   

Levin has a long history in music as well. He currently serves as cantor at Neve Shalom of Metuchen, was president of the Cantor Assembly from 2001-2003, and for 25 years was cantor and educational directional director of two congregations in Philadelphia. He has been the hazzan at the temple since 1999, where he also has been the Adult Education director and the director of the Hebrew school. 

Levin said that there are many concerts each year, but this year its spring concert will be focused on Israel.

"Because of the concert, Israel, the community, and the choir come together," Levin said. "More importantly, Israel is wonderful at many things. Its cultural connections and music allow you to connect with it without even going there."

Levin said Bernstein was chosen as the honoree because of his ongoing and generous efforts on behalf of the Jewish community.

 "He is active in the federation and temple, he founded Raise Our Voices, he has raised lots of money, and overall he deserves it and is the perfect person to be honored," Levin said.

Bernstein was a substance abuse crisis counselor until he retired in 1991. He also is a member of Temple Emanu-El of Edison, was co-chair of the Jewish Federation Community Relations council, volunteers for many local and national organizations, and is one of the main factors in bringing the diverse central-Jersey Jewish community together by song.

What ultimately caused him to become involved with Israel and the community was his uncle, an Orthodox rabbi.

"One weekend when I was a child, I spent Shabbos with him and his dedication to Israel and Judaism impressed me," Bernstein told The Jewish State. "He said to me, ‘Someday, you will help do something for your faith'."

He attended his first spring concert and was blown away.

"I went to the spring concert where members sang and I realized ‘Wow, this is great'," Bernstein said. "This is a wonderful way to hear Jews. Music is a wonderful way to bring Jews together."

Cantor Bruce Rockman's band also played a major role in Bernstein's burgeoning love of Jewish music.

"When I saw Rockman's band at B'nai Tikvah, they rocked the house, and it was after that that I realized how powerful music is and that it brings Jews together," Bernstein said. 

In January 2003, he organized 14 temples and started "Raise Our Voices" — a concert dedicated to Judaism and Israel. All of the proceeds from the first Raise our Voices went to obtaining bulletproof vests for Israeli police. He continued to help spread Judaism and dedication to Israel through song by arranging concerts and spreading the word throughout the central N.J. Jewish community.

Throughout the past five years of organizing the concerts, he has had a great deal of help along the way.

"The federation has helped a great deal; Gale Aspel, the V.P. of Temple Emanu-El, Denise Missuk, Joan Ellen, David Yellin, DR. Jeff Weinstein, Bunny and Carl Caplan of the East Brunswick Jewish Center, Matti Tennenbaum, Barbara Spack, and many other people as well," Bernstein said.

Bernstein said he became a more spiritual person after having a particular conversation with God.

"After communicating with God, I really got into it and had a need and want on a spiritual basis of why people should be there for Israel," Bernstein said.

Bernstein started working with Jacob Toporek, the executive director of the N.J. State Association of Jewish Federations and an Israeli task force.

"Then I realized that Israel still needs our help, because a lot of American Jews may take Israel for granted," he said. "Well, Jews in Europe never thought it would happen."

Bernstein said he was only one of many people in the area dedicated to helping Israel and the Jewish community.

"I'm just glad to be a small part of the effort to help Israel, people have done so much for Israel, I feel unworthy," he said.

Bernstein said that music is a wonderful way to bring Jews together.

"More importantly it allows people to get in touch with themselves and Israel," Bernstein said.

Levin said music reaches directly to our heart and soul, entertains us, makes us smile, cry, and overall is a great opportunity to come together. 

"The choir is a marriage between Judaism, Israel, and the community," Levin said. "One of the things the choir is able to do is bridge many gaps. There are few opportunities for Jews to come together with similar interests and bring our love of music to hospitals, the libraries, and ultimately other Jews."