Jewish religious music has long been treasured for its rich melodies, operatic sweeps, and intense lyrics. Now, Aitz Hayim In The City (ITC), a two-year-old worship community that finds imaginative ways to celebrate Shabbat, adds a new exuberant rhythm to its Friday night service with the appearance of famed jazz musician Howard Levy & The Levites.
On Friday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., at its new location in Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3760 N. Pine Grove Ave., Aitz Hayim ITC will welcome members and newcomers to a “Musical Celebration of Shabbat.” Services are led by the congregation’s founder Dr. Ruth Durchslag and Cantor David Landau. An oneg (refreshments) reception will follow services.
While Levy is accomplished on piano, sax, flute, and mandolin, the Grammy-award winner says he uses a harmonica during monthly Shabbat services “to create a harmonious and heartfelt blend of ritual and spontaneity.” His Levites group includes Eric Hochberg on bass and trumpet and his son Miles Levy on percussion.
“Our goal is to provide an exhilarating experience for participants,” said Dr. Durchslag. “We’ve developed our own prayer book, written some original songs, and improvise many melodies. The evening is alive with singing, dancing, and deeply felt dialogue about who we are now and how we relate to each other and God.
“We know many Americans seek more spirituality in their lives. We believe Jews, and their non-Jewish spouses, partners, and friends, can find that spirituality on Shabbat, the holiest day of the year. And this profound experience can be shared with a community of people who care very much about each other, and our place in the world.”
For more information about Aitz Hayim In The City’s Musical Celebrations of Shabbat, call (312) 236-4587, or send an email to: aitzhayimitc@hotmail.com.
St. Josaphat Church rededicates century-old sacred space
St. Josaphat Church, 2311 N. Southport Ave., will rededicate its recently renovated church building Sunday, Oct. 14, in a special liturgy used exclusively for rededicating churches in the Roman Catholic faith.
This liturgy, which will include the consecration of a new altar, will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the St. Josaphat Community Park on the corner of Belden and Wayne avenues. Bishop Edwin Conway will preside, assisted by Father Dominic Grassi, pastor of St. Josaphat Parish. Many of St. Josaphat’s 1,200 parishioners will participate in the rededication liturgy.
In 1998, a church renewal committee comprised of parishioners worked to create a plan for the renewal of the exterior and interior of St. Josaphat Church. Next, a successful capital fundraising campaign in 1999-2000 raised more than $1.9 million to help fund the initial project. The renovation of the exterior began in July 2000, followed by the interior renovation of the liturgical space in January 2001. Jack Kelley of McBride Kelley Baurer Architects led the project’s architectural design process. During the ceremony on Oct. 14, the architects will present the keys and architectural plans to Bishop Conway.
“We are so pleased with the renovation of our century-old structure,” said Fr. Grassi. “This project was made possible through the dedication and generosity of the St. Josaphat parishioners who have left a beautiful legacy for the next generation. We hope that the renewal of this physical space will also lead to a spiritual renewal in the hearts of our parishioners.”
St. Josaphat Parish was founded in 1883 by the immigrant Kashubian families from the Baltic region of Poland who had settled in the area. The parishioners raised funds and dedicated the church building in 1902. Sine that time, St. Josaphat has been an anchor of the Roman Catholic faith in an ethnically and economically diverse community.
For more information on St. Josaphat Church and parish, call (773) 327-8955 or visit the Web site at www.stjosaphat.com.
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