What a night! The world renowned San Francisco Yiddish Combo once again blew us away at Temple Emanu-El with their special brand of Klezmer. People were up and dancing as soon as the first song started and didn’t stop.
Rebecca Roudman had us both stunned to silence and clapping wildly with her magnificent cello and violin playing, and her singing. When percussionist Josh Mellinger brought out an electric typewriter and clicked away on its keys, we couldn’t believe what we were seeing and hearing. Add to that we were treated to Jason Eckl’s guitar and his winning personality.
Last but not least was talented bass guitar player Colin Williams, who showed off his dancing skills with Tova McGilvray. All in all, a performance to remember. We can’t wait until they’re back in the Reno area again.
Click here for some video of the event.
Check their website www.sfyiddishcombo.com for show dates.
The Holocaust Scroll we have, comes to us, on loan, from the Memorial Scrolls Trust, in London, England, situated at Westminster Synagogue, near Hyde Park. LaNae and Larry Gralla are its representatives at our synagogue.
There are many loan requirements, and the annual maintenance, which this unrolling and rerolling is part. This is to keep the sheets, on which the Torah pages are inscribed, supple, to check for maintenance needs, and to give people an up close and personal experience.
As this Scroll is not kosher for services use, it is perfect for this “personal experience”. Its origin town, and hence its people, we say, are only known to G_d. After we say the Mourner’s Kaddish, and the prayer for the 6 million, I explain, from one tradition, the souls of these unknowns are residing within.
And those who would like, come up to the Scroll, place their hands on the lower unwritten upon section, close their eyes, and tell these souls we are the keepers of their memory. Of those who availed themselves of the opportunity, usually, about 2/3rds say they felt there, or some, presence. But, about 1/3rd come away with so much more, they are crying. This has been my observation each time. As we only got 1/2 of the Torah scroll done, the rest will be done soon. Keep your eyes on the bulletin.