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February 6, 2004/Shevat 14 5764, Vol. 56, No. 20
Temples unite for concert
JENNIFER GOLDBERG
Staff Writer
Ben Steinberg was born to be a musician. His father, a cantor, sang to him often, and the experience made an indelible impression.
While studying to be a classical musician, Steinberg had an epiphany: "I discovered there was a way to put these two things together - the Jewish music that I was raised with and loved very deeply, and my training as a professional musician."
More than 50 years later, Steinberg can look back at a long and distinguished career as a composer of Jewish music. He is currently composer-in-residence at Toronto's Temple Sinai and president of the Guild of Temple Musicians.
When Cantor Mikhal Shiff-Matter of Temple Beth Israel ran into Steinberg at a conference last year, she was delighted to hear that he would be visiting Arizona on vacation this month.
"I thought, 'Ben's coming to Scottsdale - we've got to have a concert,' " she says.
Months of planning and rehearsal will culminate on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in "Shiru l'Adonai," a concert featuring primarily Stein-berg compositions performed by musicians, cantors and choirs from Beth El Congregation, Temple Beth Israel, Temple Chai, Temple Solel and Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.
Shiff-Matter coordinated with cantors Julie Berlin of Temple Solel and Sharona Feller of Temple Chai to organize the event, and the participants have rehearsed at least once a week for more than three months.
"This has been a wonderful mixing together," Shiff-Matter says. "Music does that in a beautiful way."
The concert coincides with Jewish Music Month, and both Shiff-Matter and Steinberg say "Shiru l'Adonai" is a wonderful way to demonstrate and celebrate the importance of music in the Jewish religion.
"Music is central," Steinberg declares. "I like to say that music is not just a language, which it is, but our most eloquent language. Certainly it's the most eloquent language that we have to express prayer texts."
Details
- What: "Shiru l'Adonai," a concert featuring compositions by Ben Steinberg
- When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11
- Where: Temple Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale
- Cost: $10
- Call: 480-951-0323
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