:: Musical Shabbat Services

Shirei Shabbat
Cantors Manevich and Bortnick — joined by Kol Rinah (the Temple's adult choir), our Temple Youth Choir and a live instrumental band — offer congregants the opportunity to enjoy Shabbat in an innovative way. Through the generosity of the Marianne and Leon Minkoff Music Fund, a CD of the service music is available to all WHC members.

For a preview of our Shirei Shabbat service,
please click here: Shirei Shabbat

Contemporary Shabbat
Intimate, contemporary and participatory Shabbat services held approximately once a month and led by either Rabbi Fabricant or Rabbi Miller who will incorporate folk and/or contemporary guitar music to lead the Congregation in song.

Our Favorite Cantorial Duets
Always a hit, this evening will highlight the magnificent music that is created when our cantors join their voices together in harmony.

Join us: Friday, December 2, 2011, 6:00 pm at Temple.

Yom HaShoah & Yom Ha'Atzmaut
In the darkest hours Jews around the world dreamed of a sanctuary to which they could always turn in times of need. This dream became a reality in 1948 when Israel became a state and safe haven for Jews everywhere.

Join us: Friday, April 20, 2012, 6:00 pm at Temple.

Abe and Irene Pollin Music Program Initiative
Washington Hebrew Congregation is pleased to present a new series of monthly musical Shabbat services, concerts and performances, thanks to a generous gift from Irene Pollin. The Abe and Irene Pollin Music Program Initiative will not only provide a broad range of special musical events, but will also enhance our Shabbat worship experience with a monthly service that features our cantors, as well as a new and meaningful musical component.

Irene Pollin, who has had a lifelong love for music, conceived of this Initiative as a tribute to her husband Abe, who died in 2009. She says the joy she found in music as a child learning to play an instrument was something she came to share with Abe, as together they explored the beauty of the music of the world. The spiritual power of music to heal the soul has been an inspiration to her, Mrs. Pollin says, and she hopes her gift will expand its reach throughout the Congregation.

Beginning on Friday, October 28 at 6:00 pm with an enhanced Shirei Shabbat, the Initiative will continue on Friday, November 4 with an exciting opportunity to hear scholar and pianist Jascha Nemtsov presenting works of the late Jewish composer, Lazare Saminsky.

Some of our later programs will feature jazz pianist and contemporary Jewish composer, Josh Nelson; playwright, singer and composer, Danny Maseng; flutist Mattan Klein and his band; and Gerard Edery, with his band, showcasing Sephardic folk music. In addition to their participation in Shabbat services, Danny Maseng will appear in a cabaret-style concert, and Josh Nelson will entertain in a coffee house setting.

Further information about these special events will be published in the Journal and weekly e-newsletter.