The leadership, clergy, choirs and musical soloists from Temple Avodah, St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Oceanside Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside and the First United Methodist Church joined together at Temple Avodah on Tuesday November 24, 2009 for an evening of rejoicing in song and non-denominational prayer and thanksgiving. This moving and interesting event never fails to bring together in a joyous and stimulating way the diverse community of Oceanside under one roof in a house of worship. Our neighbors and fellow town's people joined with us to hear inspirational remarks from Temple Avodah President Philip Weis, Reverend Randall Broger and congregant Peter Richardson of First Presbyterian Church, Rabbi Mark Greenspan of OJC,  Reverend Janet Porcher and congregant Christen Pastrana of First United Methodist Church, Rabbi Uri Goren of Temple Avodah, Father James French with congregant Nicolle Gubelli of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Reverend Danielle Miller of Oceanside Lutheran Church, Gina Calderone of Oceanside Lutheran Church and Cantor Sheila Rubin of Temple Avodah.

Musical selections were performed bt Alyssa Blumenthal of OJC, Cantor Gadi Elon of OJC, Cliff Kretowski of First United Methodist Church.

Choral presentations were performed by the choirs from Oceanside Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church Choir, St. Anthony's Catholic Church Choir and the Temple Avodah Adult Choir

Combined choral pieces were conducted by Keith Gramlich, Music Director of First United Methodist Church.

Musical accompaniment was provided by Julia Lovett-Sergi, Cliff Krewtowski. Amplification was provided by Steve Sieber.

Coordination and organization was provided by members from each house of worship. Esther Rosengarten of Temple Avodah choir worked tirelessly on behalf of Temple Avodah to make this years' event a happy reality and memory. 

  On Sunday December 13, 2009, Temple Avodah Choir performed at Temple Sinai of Roslyn for

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE

The Cantors and Choirs of North Country Reform Synagogue of Glen Cove, Temple Sinai of Roslyn, The Community Synagogue of Port Washington and Temple Tikvah of New

 Hyde Park performed as well. The concert featured the premier recording and touring group Yom Hadash. Proceeds  from the event went to the ACC Campership Fund. The American Conference of Cantors in partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism work actively to raise funds for campers.  

The Temple Avodah Adult Choir is under the direction of Cantor Sheila Rubin.

Our organist is Julia Lovett-Sergi.

Temple Avodah Choir  2008

The "Best Choir in the Universe," (as lovingly named by Rabbi Philmore Berger of blessed memory), meets for choir practice on most every Thursday evenings from 8 to 9:30 PM. It is fun. Our singing combines song with worship, creating a meaningful experience that enhances services at Temple and our own Jewish lives. You do not have to read music or have a background in singing. Your desire to sing and willingness to rehearse with us is all that you need. Please join us on any Thursday night that the choir is meeting.

Over the years we have become a family. We sing at simchas of colleagues, enjoy choir dinners and picnics, and view one another as extended family. With Rabbi Goren's staunch support we sing at Temple events such as High Holidays, major festivals, Confirmation, High School Graduation and Installation of Temple Officers. We sing once a month at Friday Shabbat services. We have participated in jazz festivals, an "Echad" service, Purim spiels, numerous choir festivals and programs at nursing homes.

A choir history as related by choir member Ed Fried:

I remember the first rehearsal called for the new Temple Avodah Volunteer choir. It was held in the evening, on a day we were preparing for our annual bazaar. I was working my way, slowly, down to the rehearsal room when I met Dave. He and I exchanged pleasantries and together walked into the room. Here we joined that handful of stalwarts who became the new choir. Most of us had not sung in a group for along time- for me it was since college - and we had great concerns about our ability to perform. Judy Rowland, however, just pushed ahead and we were singing in unison within a short time. It was the beginning of what has become a marvelous 18 years.

The choir was organized by Cantor Judy Rowland, our first full time cantor, in 1982. Those early rehearsals, starting in the Winter of 1982 were filled with organization and the learning of new music. Many of us had some previous musical experiences, but others had nothing but the desire to sing. Cantor Rowland gave us the incentive and courage to participate. When Cantor announced that we would do a concert at the end of that first year - we were in a state of panic. I remember Alan looking at me and smiling that " Oh my God " look. We did our practicing and the concert went well. We were all happy.

Even Jeff Schindler, our organist, was happy. Jeff is the man, as Caryle recollects, who spent more time looking for girls to date but was never too successful. I recall him spending almost as much time reading magazines about horses and horse racing. He always had a problem with the alto section, which he called " altoids ". Many of our activities, such as the Purim spiel were started by Cantor Rowland. When Cantor Rowland left Temple, we hired Karen Braunstein, who brought her interests in Klezmer, folk music and Yiddish music to the Temple and choir. New music was introduced and we expanded our musical knowledge and repertoire. I remember the joy of attending Karen's wedding to Cantor Paul - held outdoors at Temple. Do you remember how Karen dressed at Purim spiels and the Yiddish/Klezmer concert she gave at Temple? It was quite unique.

Gershon Sillins may have been the most quotable of our cantors. Bob kept a book of his statements for many years. A few choice sayings and explanations "if you had a choice between laissez faire and a controlled economy-you would pick laissez faire" [this means that we, the choir, like to do whatever we want without following directions] and "when we get to this section, I feel lonely. Only you can change that" [ this means - connect to me, especially at this place in the music]. Gershon is the one who developed our exercise lines, as part of warm-up activities. We learned to give back rubs to one another as a form of loosening-up activity. It was also Gerson who arranged for choir members to go to New Jersey to participate in a workshop/songfest with other congregational choirs.

When Gershon left, we hired Ron Broden, who remained with us for 7 years, the longest tenure of any cantor up to this time. Ron brought a new, fresh perspective to choir. Much new music was introduced and we expanded on our participation with other Temple choirs. Barry recalls some of Ron's statements, such as "no breathing", "look up", "not as low as you think", " a really great bass part", "not so much forte" and "ignore what is written". Ron also had strong feelings for tenors, as he said "tenors can't help singing loud-we're all that way". When Ron dressed up and played Haman at a Purim spiel, he had a ball and we all enjoyed ourselves. Ron brought enthusiasm and enrichment to our programs. It was in this time frame that Bob developed his annual trophy for a choir member. The award was given for distinguished service, usually to a newer member of the choir. By the way, Bob entertained us with his music and wit at many of our parties.

We have been blessed over the years by the strong support of our Rabbis, Cantor and members. Their approval has continued to strengthen our resolve.

The years have been good to us by allowing us to do something that we truly enjoy. It really has been fun. We continue to laugh at and with one another. We can joke when we see one of us sleeping in the choir loft. We can console one another when there is a loss of family or one of our members leaves. It has been an extraordinary 18 years. It is like yesterday that Alan and I continuously joked around during rehearsals and laughed at what was expected of us. We have succeeded in our mission. I treasure every memory.

Ed Fried