Shabbat Hallelu celebrates 10 years of song

In 2007, Judy Seplowin had an idea. The cantor of Temple Beth-El in Providence noticed the growing popularity of instrumental bands in religious services. Instead of voices accompanied by piano or organ, churches were trying out an array of musicians to better engage people. Some Reform Jewish congregations, which had long allowed instruments on Shabbat, were now trying this out. How about Temple Beth-El?

Her colleagues at the temple encouraged her, but there were two big hurdles. The first was figuring out the music. Guitar-based songs from Jewish camps were getting lots of attention, and the temple had hosted some Jewish rock bands for its Hanukkah concerts. But Seplowin wanted a repertoire broader than rock in order to appeal to older adults as well.  She had experience in musical theater before entering cantorial school.  She wanted melodies that were rich enough to please the ear, easy enough for people to sing along with and spiritually satisfying.

Assembling the band was the bigger challenge. She spread the word by temple communications and called a few people. Within a few months, she had someone for clarinet, flute, guitar and bass, to be accompanied on piano by the temple’s longtime organist Philip Martorella.

The clarinetist turned out to be the key.  Stanley Freedman, a retired schoolteacher who had played at some temple events, helped with auditions and conducting.  He also did much of the arrangement of music for the instruments.

Once the band was in place, Seplowin worked with the temple’s other clergy and the executive director to adjust the Friday evening service.  They moved the starting time from 7:30 to 7, and added a 6:30 nosh substantial enough to serve as a light dinner.  To encourage informality and participation, they moved the service from the grand sanctuary to the meeting hall.  They converted much of the liturgy to song, and freed up time by shortening the sermon into a brief d’var Torah on the weekly portion.  The plan was to offer “Shabbat Hallelu” once a month, except in the summer.

The service was a hit, and has become a calendar staple. Seplowin mixes familiar music with new versions of the blessings, such Rabbi Joe Black’s Brazilian beat for Yism’chu. 

“I’ve always enjoyed balancing music genres in planning a service,” she said.  “Congregants seem to enjoy it as well.  We mostly use contemporary tunes for Hallelu, but we include a variety of melodies to help express the text.  I try to choose music to lift the spirit and celebrate the joy of Shabbat.”

The musicians have changed a bit over the years, some committing only a season; others several years. On any given Hallelu the band can range from five members to a dozen.  But Seplowin and Freedman continue to lead the group, with Rabbis Howard Voss-Altman and Sarah Mack leading the rest of the liturgy. 

While the band is largely made up of adults, some high school students have joined for a time, and last spring a middle-schooler joined.  In addition to the core instruments, at different times they’ve had a violin, a harp and even a euphonium.

Shabbat Hallelu celebrated its 10th anniversary on Oct. 20 at Temple Beth-El.  It takes place next on Nov. 17, and then every month on the third Shabbat evening through May 2018, at 7 p.m.  Check the website at www.temple-beth-el.org for updates.

JOHN LANDRY lives in Providence and is a congregant at Temple Beth-El.