Kol HaMakom

"Throughout our 180 year history, music has always been an important part of this congregation. It has a way of bringing people together, penetrating the soul, and inspiring us in a way that nothing else can."
- Cantor Kipnis

A message from Cantor Kipnis

In honor of the congregation's 180th Anniversary, I have recorded an album of our Friday night Shabbat music with our extremely talented Shabbat band, our cantorial intern, Emily Lezin, and a professional quartet choir. The album is titled, Kol HaMakom: The Sound of Temple of Sharaay Tefila. Kol HaMakom means “The Sound of the Place.” HaMakom is also another name for God, so the title can also represent that God can be found through our music.

Throughout our 180 year history, music has always been an important part of this congregation and an integral part of our worship services. It has a way of bringing people together, penetrating the soul, and inspiring us in a way that nothing else can.

Music at Shaaray Tefila has always evolved and changed with the times, and this recording serves as a snapshot of what our Erev Shabbat services sound like at this moment on our 180th anniversary. Throughout our history we have recited the same prayers, but the melodies and musical styles have continually changed. This album is a musical time capsule of our tradition and style today.

The musical settings on this recording are examples of what you hear when you come to Friday night services at Shaaray Tefila. While we sing many different musical settings of each prayer, I have selected one or two versions that are most popular and beloved by the congregation as well as some of my favorites. The recording generally follows the order of the liturgy as it appears in the siddur.

A hallmark of our worship is congregational participation. As you listen to the music, I hope you will feel inspired to sing along as if you are sitting in our sanctuary. If you have not been to services at Shaaray Tefila before, I hope this recording will motivate you to come.

I want to express my deep gratitude to our album sponsors John and Sheri Reiss and Bill and Sandra Lehman for making this album possible. Their support of music at Shaaray Tefila is extremely appreciated!

I also want to thank the amazing musicians featured on this recording: Emily Lezin, cantorial intern, Allison Sniffin, piano, Itai Kriss, flute, Matt Turk, guitar, Dan Aran, drums, Tamir Shmerling, bass, and Wendy Baker, Megan Friar, Douglas Purcell and Mark Rehnstrom, quartet choir.