The Big Celebration

[david lowther <dlowther...>]

FYI:  Last Sunday our Congregation Temple Emanu-El Synagogue, the oldest Jewish 
house of worship in continuous use in Canada, built before Canada was a nation 
and when Abraham Lincoln was still in the White House, celebrated the 
completion of an addition to the shul.  Many people were involved in the 
creation of this building, who's architecture echoes the synagogue's, and which 
boasts a roof-top playground.  

Mitzvah, a klezmer band I play with, was asked to perform at the opening 
ceremonies, so let me tell you what happened.  The synagogue was packed to the 
rafters and folks clapped their hands and danced in their seats when we opened 
with Leben Zol Palestina.  It was so full that the ladies in the first row were 
only 2 feet from my clarinet (their ears are probably still ringing).  When we 
played Meron Nign next, with Gary on doumbek, Rabbi Brechner could contain 
himself no longer and got up with his wife and a local belly dancer and they 
danced in the aisle.  That was quite a challenge, I can tell you, keeping up 
with the rabbi.  But most importantly, from a musician's standpoint, the food 
was great!

Mary Lowther, Victoria, BC