SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Music
Music is described as the language of the soul.
Music is an important part of the TBE experience.
It elevates our meaningful moments, enlivens our celebrations, and provides comfort in times of sorrow.
Musical Leadership
TBE is blessed with talented musicians who inspire us time and time again.
Cantor Shanna Zell
Cantor Shanna Zell leads us in song, prayer, healing, and rejoicing. She finds joy and fulfillment in uplifting our community through music. Contact Cantor Zell.
Cantor Emerita Jodi Sufrin
Cantor Jodi Sufrin served as cantor at Temple Beth Elohim from her ordination in 1983 until she retired in 2020. As Cantor Emerita, she continues to be involved with the TBE community, leading classes and travel programs throughout the year.
Friday Evening Service
Join us on Zoom to welcome Shabbat in song and prayer. Uplifting music, inspiring liturgy, and a short teaching. Friday nights have become a central “meeting” place for our community as each week hundreds of congregants have joined us on Zoom. Invite your friends and family—all are welcome!
Upcoming events
Thank God It’s Shabbat
Once a month, join us for a celebratory hour-long TGIS service featuring upbeat music from our teen T’filah Band and teaching appropriate for all ages.
Upcoming events
TBE Holy Singers
Join Cantor Zell for TBE Holy’s Singers, a second-year music project where we gather without musical scores to share our passion for singing, explore new melodies, and create spontaneous harmonies.
Upcoming events
Listen to TBE Music
Watch videos of TBE concerts and musical recordings from our clergy, adult choir, TBE Youth musical leaders, and more. From prayers to contemporary Jewish music, including songs written by members of our TBE musical community, you can experience our joyous music wherever you go!
Adult Choir
Open to anyone who likes to sing! Get to know members of our temple community while performing a rich tapestry of music from our vast Jewish choral tradition. Participate in several services and programs throughout the year, including High Holy Day services.
Upcoming events
Contact
Cantor Zell
Children’s Choir
Open to all students grades K-5. We aim to instill a love of singing and an appreciation of Jewish music, and to create a sense of community. Throughout the year, sing at Shabbat and holiday services. Perform a mitzvah singing for seniors in assisted living.
Upcoming events
Contact
Cantor Zell
Havayah T’filah Band (Grades 8–12)
Come jam with us as we play Jewish music, mashup Jewish melodies with secular ones, and lead our community in Shabbat worship. Whether you play guitar, piano, sax, ukulele, drums, or sing, join us in making awesome music.
Upcoming events
Contact
Cantor Zell
Sharim Singers
We bring the joy of music to senior living centers in the greater Boston area, singing show tunes and familiar popular music. Sharim is honored to sing at Faneuil Hall naturalization ceremonies welcoming new US citizens. The group is open to anyone who loves to sing and would enjoy doing a mitzvah.
Upcoming events
Contact
Peter Marx
Music Club
Music lovers unite to learn more about music we know, discover new music, and enjoy the community of friends with musical interests.
Upcoming events
Contact
Lynn Burke
Drum Circle
A drum circle is a centuries-old tradition. Noam Sender teaches accessible and captivating rhythms from around the world, enhanced with familiar chants and call and response melodies. Center yourself, relax, and have fun while building community and a beautiful, collective voice. No experience required. Drums supplied or bring your own.
Upcoming events
Contact
Lynn Burke
Havayah: Songleading Workshop/Music Madrichim
Students in grades 9-12 deepen their repertoire and skills as songleaders while working as a madrich/a in our youth education programs. With Cantor Zell, they plan and lead the early and late session K–5 opening assemblies and teach K–2 music while receiving professional development and support. Join a dedicated and enthusiastic team ready to make Jewish music with our students!
Upcoming events
Contact
Cantor Zell
A portion of our innovative programming is supported by The Kay Music Innovation Fund.
For generations, our Temple Beth Elohim community has championed the value of music and song. This album is a snapshot in time, honoring many of our favorite musical settings sung by our congregation today. Throughout these tracks you will hear the intergenerational voices of our community including our TBE Youth Choir, TBE T’filah Band, TBE Adult Choir and more. Each song connects to the theme of the “voice,” be it the voice of justice, togetherness, praise, song, truth, or kindness. I invite you to listen to each individual’s voice on this album, and in turn, find a place for your voice to join with ours and to make it yours.
B’shira (in song),
Cantor Shanna Zell