Music of the Moment: Exploring Israeli Musical Responses to October 7th 

Yom Haatzmaut is a time to recognize the creation of the state of Israel through celebration and song. Often, artistic responses to a traumatic event are created after a considerable period of reflection and collective processing by the impacted group. In the case of the war in Israel, musical responses are happening in real-time. Artists in the genres of pop culture, avant-garde music, and protest music are responding to the war and the hostage situation with a sense of urgency as they create out of their own experience. Cantorial Soloist Erica Wisner will join Cantor Shapiro for this multimedia program that will bring examples of music related to Israel’s independence and will also explore differing musical responses to the war, such as nationalism, hope, revenge, and solidarity. 

Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro joined the Clergy of Wilshire Boulevard Temple through a merger with University Synagogue, where she served since 2014. She also serves as the Cantor of the synagogue on the Jack H. Skirball campus of Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles. Cantor Shapiro’s was the first female voice to be heard at the Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York City and has appeared in concerts around the globe. 

Cantor Shapiro served on the board of the American Conference of Cantors from 2006-2018. Between 2018-2021, she was the cantorial liaison to the Central Conference of American Rabbis’ Task Force on Women in the Rabbinate. Cantor Shapiro received training as a Jewish Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher through the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, where she also served as adjunct faculty. She has gained recognition for her work in Jewish mindfulness practices through her creation and enhancement of programs such as Torah Yoga and Torah off the Beaten Path.

Originally from West Hartford, Connecticut, she graduated with a B.A. in English from Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota, and then pursued further study at the Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies and Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. She received her Cantorial Ordination and Master of Sacred Music from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2003.

$12 members, $18 nonmembers, kids 13 and under are free.

On the second Friday of each month, join your Shomrei Torah family at the Rabbi’s Tisch (table) in lieu of regular Friday night Shabbat service. 

Evening Schedule (times are approximate):
6:15 - 6:45 - Shabbat Blessings and Meal
6:45 - 7:10 - Misheberach and Kaddish
7:15 - 8:15 - Speaker Presentation

You may also join us virtually via Livestream. The Zoom link is available in your weekly CST Connect. If you missed a previously live-streamed service, view our Video Library.

Catering orders must be finalized within 7 days of an event. If this registration is received less than 7 days before the event, we cannot guarantee that food will be available. PLEASE ATTEND, and if food is not available to you, let a staff member know and we will happily refund your fee.  

Please reserve your seat below to attend in person.