Central Reform Congregation will kick off a weeklong series of free events celebrating Jewish music and prayer beginning Saturday, Feb. 14. The program, known as CRC Week of Music, is open to the entire community. It will feature local musicians that form the CRC house band, along with several nationally recognized artists.
The performances will be collaborative, with CRC member-musicians joining the visiting artists. The congregation has developed a culture of music, led by Rabbi Daniel Bogard and Rabbi Randy Fleisher, both of whom play guitar. The CRC musicians include David and Jeff Lazaroff, Bryn Sentnor, Leslie Caplan, David Goldenberg, Shlomo Ovadya, Joey Ferber, Robert Fishbone, Kim Portnoy, Drew Brodsky and Mark Hochberg.
CRC’s music program has been supported by philanthropist Michael Staenberg, along with Stephanie Riven, who established the Roger Goldman Music Fund in memory of her husband.
“Our program has attracted a lot of really good musicians at CRC, but we really haven’t had the opportunity to share it with the community at large, and this provides that opportunity,” said David Lazaroff. “This provides a chance to work with these national artists and learn from people who are immersed in the Jewish music world.”
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CRC Week of Music will also feature two artists-in-residence, Billy Jonas, a Grammy nominee, and musician-educator Eitan Kantor. Special presentations include a learn & lunch with Kantor on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and a Rhythm & Percussion Experience with Rob Koritz on Thursday, Feb. 19. Two off-site events are also scheduled: a havdalah and concert with singer-songwriter Eliana Light at MaTovu on Saturday, Feb. 14, and a performance by the Brothers Lazaroff at Joe’s Café on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Along with music and prayer, food will be available at some of the CRC Week of Music events, from Deli Divine, Florentine, and Taco Buddha. One goal of the initiative is to share the power of Jewish music as a spiritual outlet in a community setting, Lazaroff said.
“We’re trying to be an entry point for people who want to connect their spirituality with music,” Lazaroff said. “We are building on of our culture of music at CRC and offering it to the community. As the only synagogue in the city of St. Louis, one of our jobs is to be a Jewish voice in the city.”
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Additional information, full schedule and registration instructions for CRC Week of Music is available on the CRC website.
