Modesto’s Congregation Beth Shalom to explore Jewish Renewal

Congregation Beth Shalom will delve into the Jewish Renewal movement this weekend with a series of events that also will close its 23rd Sunday Afternoons at CBS concert series.

The Jewish Renewal 101 weekend includes special services in the evening Friday, March 6, and Saturday morning, March 7. There also will be a Jewish singing workshop Saturday afternoon.

For the Sunday, March 8, afternoon concert, cantorial soloist Jessica Leash will perform a mix of popular folk tunes from the ’60s and ’70s, gospel music, Yiddish songs and more.

All programs are open to the community.

According to www.aleph.org, “Alliance for Jewish Renewal envisions a contemporary Judaism that is joyous, creative, spiritually rich, socially progressive and earth-aware. This vision arises out of our search for a renewed personal connection to the God of our ancestors and the legacy of our tradition, in service of our higher dreams for the future of our world.”

In addition, the website states, “Renewal is an attitude, not a denomination, and offers tools to all branches of Judaism.”

Over the three days of Modesto programs, Leash will explore the world of Jewish Renewal music and share inspirational and educational genres from around the world, according to a press release from Congregation Beth Shalom.

▪ Friday at 7 p.m., Leash will lead evening services in the Renewal style, including a related drash (message).

▪ Saturday at 10 a.m., Leash will co-lead morning services and a Torah discussion focused on Renewal approaches and content. A luncheon will follow at 11:30 a.m. Lunch reservations requested, (209) 571-6060

▪ Saturday at 1 p.m., “Jewish Singing in 4 Easy Steps” will be offered, as Leash leads a workshop for singers and nonsingers.

▪ Sunday at 3 p.m., “Jewish Renewal – A Musical Portrait” will mark the final concert of the Sunday Afternoons at CBS 2014-15 season. Leash will offer a snapshot of the times in which Jewish Renewal came to be, some of its influences and a taste of what Renewal music brings to contemporary Jewish life, with a unique global mix of popular folk songs, some gospel, Hassidic niggunim, a group of Yiddish songs, Shlomo Carlebach tunes and some call-and-response chanting and Reform Jewish tunes by Debbie Friedman. She will be accompanied by Fred Ross-Perry on guitar and vocals and Ken Mowrey on percussion.

This story was originally published March 4, 2015 at 2:40 PM with the headline "Modesto’s Congregation Beth Shalom to explore Jewish Renewal."