Cantor Lisa Levine

News

Lisa takes the cake!

Temple Shalom Chevy Chase

May 14, 2008

Beginning July 1, 2008 Lisa will begin her tenure as the first full time cantor at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The congregation is a vibrant, musically sophisticated community eager to learn, sing and share many diverse styles of prayer. Lisa will be working with her longtime colleague and friend Michael Feshbach, who she has known since their Junior year of college in Israel on the EAP Program. The two coincidentally went on to study together and graduate from Hebrew Union College class of 1989. Together with Education Director Lisa Pressman and Executive Director Susan Zemsky, the quartet will lead Temple Shalom into the future. To learn more about the congregation go to: www.templeshalom.net

Music That Makes Community

May 10, 2008

Voices rising in song at one of the holiest sites in the country marked the transformational Music That Makes Community Paperless Music Project Conference that Lisa attended a few weeks ago. Held at St. Paul's Chapel on the lip of ground zero, the MMC Conference was attended by clergy and church musicians from around the country. Brought together by the common goal of learning and teaching music off book, participants had the opportunity to learn about how we became so dependent on using prayerbooks and hymnals, how to free ourselves from using them and how to create new and authentic ways to involve our congregants in true community singing and prayer. Lisa's long time friend and collaborator Ben Allaway was one of the facilitators of the conference and submitted "Spirits Rising" to the new All Saints Paperless Music Songbook" which was accepted to the project and is due out in June.

Lisa with children at religious school

San Juan's Jewish Community

Apr 1, 2008

The palm trees and warm breezes were welcoming to the spirit when Lisa spent Shabbat at Temple Beth Shalom in San Juan Puerto Rico. The people at the synagogue were also like a warm breeze, soothing and welcoming and the hospitality they showed was truly appreciated. It was a very busy weekend spent teaching the children at the Religious School, working with adult musicians of the synagogue, leading Shabbat evening and morning services and performing a concert. Thanks to Sue and Jimmy Klau for organizing the weekend and for everyone's willingness to give so much love and support.

Live Puppets Front and Center

Puppet Purim Play Gets Rave Reviews

Apr 1, 2008

Purim took on great look this year at Temple Sinai in Stamford. The original and fabulous puppets made by Bonnie Wilczynski were a huge hit as was the play performed by the 4th grade class. Of course the play would have fallen flat without the music of Ruju singing our favorite Purim songs and melodies. This original play was written by Cantor Lisa along with pals Lynn Metrik and Jacque Comroe and is a classic. It was adapted here using "live puppets" which were secured onto the players with duct tape! See the pics for the all the characters.

Yoga Shalom at M'kor Shalom

Feb 24, 2008

Last Shabbat was a special place to be at Congregation M'kor Shalom in Cherry Hill New Jersey. Lisa was invited to lead "Yoga Shalom" as part of the congregation's New Dimensions Shabbat Program. There were over 75 participants gathered with our mats in the Social Hall as we celebrated Shabbat through yoga breathing, postures, flow, balance and relaxation. The service is accompanied by Lisa's specially recorded background of Hebrew melodies and prayers. The service ended with a healing circle bringing all of our powerful energies together through song. Thank you to Stephanie Cohen and her ritual committee for enabling this program to succeed and thrive. M'kor Shalom is an exciting place overflowing with music, creativity and lifelong Jewish learning.

Lisa at the Transcon-Soundswrite Stage

URJ Biennial Reunion in San Diego

Dec 24, 2007

It was an amazing reunion at the URJ Biennial with 5,000 friends getting together to sing, pray, play and enjoy the San Diego sun. Highlights, besides the amazing weather, were the Lisa's last minute Transcontinental-Soundswrite Stage performance with Cantors Lisa Doob, Aviva Rosenbloom and flutist Mattan Klein. Lisa led Yoga Shalom Friday morning and drew about 100 practitioners who really seemed to enjoy the one hour shacharit service designed to open the heart, mind and spirit. Lisa was honored to have two of her original poems included in the New Womens Torah Commentary and enjoyed attending some of the festivities surrounding it's debut. Shabbat services Friday evening were followed by a rip roaring song session organized and conducted by the amazing Doug Cotler and accompanied by a great band and songleaders. Being included in that outstanding group is a humbling and exhilarating experience not to be forgotten! The late night ACC Concert was a treat as was the Saturday afternoon Simply Shabbat featuring the world changing Rick Recht. Batteries charged and spirits connected we were truly moved by the tribute to Debbie Friedman whos music and spirit has inspired and sustained the heart of Jewish music for so long. Lisa owes Debbie a great debt of gratitude for being her songleader, teacher and role model since her camping days at Swig. What a beautiful way to spend Shabbat and reconnect with so many good friends. Only two years and counting until Toronto!

Des Moines Diversity Chorus' 10th Anniversary

Nov 22, 2007

Lisa recently celebrated 10 years of music and diverse programming with The Des Moines Diversity Chorus under the direction of Elsie Naylor. Named for it's desire to promote diverse cultural experiences, justice and understanding in our world, The Des Moines Diversity Chorus invites groups of varying cultures and backgrounds to perform with them on their concerts. One of the original co-founders of the chorus, Lisa was honored to have been invited to be guest artist at their fall concert at First Christian Church in Des Moines. The chorus performed many of the songs Lisa wrote which were inspired by the Chorus including Hallelu/Behold How Good, Shelter of Your Peace, Reaching for Peace and the debut of Sing a New Song, written in honor of the Chorus' 10th Anniversary. Hosted by colleague and friend Ben Allaway, music director at First Christian, Lisa and Ben reunited to sing some favorites including Spirits Rising and Youth Shall See Visions. Thank you so much to all the good friends who came out for the concert (see the photos for pics). May our mission continue and may our prayers for peace and justice for the world be fulfilled!

Members of volunteer choir with Lisa

Good Vibes in Omaha

Nov 21, 2007

Good vibrations abounded when Lisa was hosted by Temple Israel in Omaha. Friday evening Cantor Wendy Shermet conducted the volunteer choir and house band through many of the tunes in "Soulful Shabbat" while Rabbi Linder led the service and Rabbi Azriel enjoyed praying with the congregation. The energy was great in the sanctuary! Saturday morning Lisa led "Yoga Shalom" to a full room of very flexible and relaxed yoga lovers. What a powerful way to spend Shabbat morning, praying, chanting and restoring the soul.

Video from Kallah

Sep 25, 2007

Hear Lisa's songs "Behold How Good" and "This Is The Day" as performed by a large white gospel choir at the recent Kallah Conference. They are really rockin! Many thanks to Sharon Alexander for organizing and pulling together the performance.

Music By Heart: Paperless Songs for Evening Worship

Aug 27, 2007

Lisa's song Spirit's Rising was just accepted to a new music compilation published by Church Publishing, the publishing house of the Episcopal Church to be out in spring 2008. Many thanks to Ben Allaway for submitting the song and for his ongoing support. The principal feature of the new hymnal is that it is "paperless" - it can be taught and sung from memory, without printed music, thereby freeing people to worship more completely. The music consists of chants, rounds, canons and call/response and reclaims the tradition of 'heart singing' that remains central in folk cultures throughout the world. For more information go to www.allsaintscompany.org

Dinner at Convention

Hudson Valley Happening

Jul 4, 2007

The recent American Conference of Cantors (ACC) Guild of Temple Musicians (GTM) Convention at the Hudson Valley Resort was a smashing success. Programmatically it was one of the best conventions ever. Highlights included amazing keynotes by Rabbi Nechemia Polen, community sings with conductor extraordinaire Eleanor Epstein, the screening of "A Cantor's Tale" starring Cantor Jackie Mendelson. Other great moments included the many t'fillot led so beautifully by colleagues from around the country, especially teachers Robert Abelson and Norman Summers. Lisa's morning yoga and Yoga Shalom were also well attended each morning, albeit too early! Sorry no pictures of those classes. Thanks to everyone to made the convention so special. You can view some memorable moments under photos.

Lisa with the combined choirs

Behold How Good at 5th Annual Novashir Concert

May 22, 2007

Lisa was the special guest artist at the 5th Annual Novashir concert this past Sunday May 20th at the Harris Theatre in Fairfax, VA. Carol Boyd Leon organized and conducted many of the choirs with Adrian Durlester on piano. Five groups from Washington area choirs participated in a most enjoyable afternoon of music. Many thanks to everyone who participated. Go to photos to view the highlights!