Music rises in song and in note to transform us. Music heals. Music renews. Music transforms. In our tradition, music and ritual are inextricably bound together. We pray in melodies. The Tanakh, our Bible, includes its own songbook, the Psalms. We don’t just read the Torah. We sing it. Nusah, those musical patterns or tunes that tell us whether it is Shabbat or a holiday, permit us to respond to our deepest, most inarticulate feelings. Niggunim, wordless melodies, give us voice when we don’t know what to say. Here at Temple Rodef Shalom, our cantors don’t pray for us. They help us pray by guiding us through melodies, old and familiar, and by inspiring us through innovative and original songs.
Our three youth choirs make music fun for every age group! Shir Joy, our junior choir, is for kindergarten to second graders; Shir Harmony, our youth choir, is for those in third through sixth grade; and Kol Machar, our teen choir, is for those in seventh through twelfth grade. These choirs are a great way for our youth to make new friends.
Visit our youth musical groups page.
Koleinu is Temple Rodef Shalom’s premier congregational volunteer adult choir. The group of about 50 members is a musical havurah, bringing friendship and fun to musical learning and performance. Koleinu sings generally once a month at Erev Shabbat services and rehearses about twice a month on Tuesday evenings.
Cantor Michael Shochet
(703) 532-2217
Temple Rodef Shalom’s Chai Notes Band is our congregational band featuring brass, woodwinds, guitars, pianos, percussion and more! The band plays at one Shabbat service a month. These musicians, all members of Temple Rodef Shalom, get together for a number of additional musical performances each program year.
Cantor Michael Shochet
(703) 532-2217
