Phyllis Kline has sung in choirs all of her life. For the past 20 years, she has continued that tradition as a member of the Beth El Congregation Choir.
“We’re a family,” says Kline, adding that being part of the choir gives her a special “identity” at the Pikesville congregation. “It enhances the experience of being a valuable part of the synagogue.”
Kline, along with the rest of the choir under the direction of Beth El’s Cantor Thom King, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its founding on Friday evening, June 9, with a special musical service followed by an Oneg Shabbat reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres.
The Friday evening service Shir Daberi was composed by Cantor King and will be accompanied by string quartet, clarinet and piano under the baton of Maestro Phillip Collister of Towson University.
The service begins at 6 p.m. in the synagogue’s Berman-Rubin Sanctuary. The service and reception are free of charge and open to the general community.
The tradition of synagogue choirs is a long and distinguished one, tracing its roots to King David, says Cantor King, pointing to chapter 15 of the first book of Chronicles: “David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals, joyfully making their voices heard.”
The 12th century Jewish philosopher Maimonides encouraged choirs to sing in praise of God in the synagogue, and professional synagogue choirs were established as early as the 16th century, following the model of the European churches.
By the 19th century, Cantor King says, with the emancipation and enlightenment of European Jewry, choral singing became a regular feature of the synagogue. The first synagogue choir in the United States was organized in 1818, at New York’s Congregation Shearith Israel.
“While the model of the professional synagogue choir has a long-established history in the United States, the all-volunteer choir made up of synagogue members is less common,” says Cantor King. When first arriving at Beth El, the cantor says he and the late Rabbi Mark G. Loeb agreed that the formation of a choir would not only enrich the synagogue’s service but give members another avenue into synagogue and spiritual life.
Auditions were held for the choir “with the expectation of finding a few interested volunteers to supplement our professional quartet,” Cantor King says. But to his surprise, Cantor King says the high level of talent from congregants made the hiring of outside singers unnecessary.
Throughout the past two decades, the – give or take — 30 members of the Beth El Choir have been challenged with selections by both classical and modern composers.
“No matter the type of music, though, the choir has always been able to rise to the occasion and perform brilliantly, whether for Shabbat services, High Holidays, an opera or oratorio concert, or even a Broadway cabaret,” says Cantor King, a graduate of the Hart School of Music and a commissioned member of the Cantors Assembly, who frequently composes the music himself.
“Our choir members have formed a bond over the years which transcends the mere act of singing,” says Cantor King. “They have forged a connection to each other as individuals, to the group, and to Beth El Congregation that is both unique and inspirational.
“They have also devoted themselves to enhancing the musical and spiritual life of Beth El, while at the same time enjoying the associated health benefits [that come from singing and fellowship].”
Like Phyllis Kline, Michael Dopkin joined the choir at the time of its founding. He lauds Cantor King for being a tireless “cheerleader” for the choir and the synagogue.
“The choir is a coming together of people with a love for music — and not just Jewish music,” says Dopkin. “It’s a very uplifting experience.”
Says Cantor King: “When we sing together, we feel both euphoric and exalted, both from the sheer act of singing itself and the knowledge that we’re singing for a higher purpose.”
For information on the 20th anniversary celebration of the Beth El Congregation Choir, call 410-484-0410 or visit bethelbalto.com .
Photo provided by Beth El Congregation Choir
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