Members, clergy makes music, memories at TSTI

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — One Friday evening a month from September through June, the sanctuary at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange resonates with the sounds of live musical accompaniment featuring the TSTI Band, a group of talented synagogue members who play instruments, sing and bring their spirit to the community as they usher in Shabbat. The liturgy is played and sung to both traditional and contemporary melodies — including Broadway and pop tunes — as Cantor Rebecca Moses leads the community in rocking the house in new ways.

The musicians, who all volunteer their time, are guitarists Adam Seidman of Maplewood and Mark Sussman of West Orange, bass player Larry Kantor of South Orange, drummer and percussionist Barry Hausman of West Orange, saxophone and woodwinds player Steven Pomerantz of Montclair, keyboard player Jamie Probber of Montville, singer Roberta Probber of Montville, and singer Jack Parry of South Orange. The youngest band member at age 15, Parry is in the chorus at Columbia High School. Cantor Joan Finn also sings with the musicians.

Moses’ playbook ranges from familiar Reform melodies to classic rock hits.

“We like to incorporate modern songs or American standards that align with current events or the rabbi’s sermon in some way,” Moses, who came to TSTI five years ago said. “The song teaches something about the week’s Torah portion and serves as a ‘musical midrash,’ a commentary on that portion.”

The TSTI Band has played pop, rock, folk and blues numbers such as “Rainbow Connection,” “We are Family,” “Help!”, “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “This Land is Your Land” and “What a Wonderful World.” Song sheets are provided for congregants so they can join in the fun. The band performs pieces from a variety of contemporary Jewish composers as well, some of whom have been artists-in-residence at TSTI, such as Noam Katz, Sheldon Low and Dan Nichol.

  Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel