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L.I. Chorus celebrates the American story chorus, which has nearly 40 members, ranging in age from 20s to 80s, from Nassau, Suffolk The Long Island Community and Queens. Founded in 1985 as Chorus brought music, history the Rockville Centre Choral and community together last Society, the organization later Sunday, filling St. James United changed its name to reflect its Methodist Church, in Lyn- broader membership. Selections ranged from “Batbrook, with a performance that celebrated the tle Hymn of the nation’s past as Republic” to “God well as the people Bless the Child,” who continue to along with works shape it. by Pa u l S i m o n , The g roup’s Neil Diamond and spring concert, John Denver. Nar“Rhythms of Amerration throughout ica: A Musical the perfor mance Journey,” anticipatguided the audiing the upcoming ence from one hissemiquincentennitorical period to al, traced the evoluthe next. tion of American The concert also music across the f e a t u r e d p i a n o, generations. The CATHY STiRRAT trumpet, guitar prog ram blended President, Long Island and percussion spirituals, jazz, folk Community Chorus accompaniment, songs and contemadding depth and porary pieces, energy to the prooffering a musical timeline gram. reflecting both the triumphs “The biggest challenge was and the challenges of the coun- all the moving parts,” Steventry’s history. son said. “We added more “We tried to show as much instruments this time, and of the variation in the country bringing everything together and its history as we possibly was something new for us.” could,” said director Jean SteThe performance resonated venson, of Elmont, who is deeply with the audience, espemarking her 30th year with the ConTInuEd on pAgE 10
By KAYlA DECHTER
kdechter@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
Families at Temple Am Echad displayed Israeli flags during a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration on May 1, which featured a dinner, a service and community activities.
Lynbrook’s Temple Am Echad marks Israel’s Independence Day By KAYlA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
Temple Am Echad, in Lynbrook, brought families, students and community members together last week for a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration that blended tradition, education and community spirit. The May 1 event, marking Israel’s Independence Day, included a pre-service dinner, interactive activities and a family-friendly Shabbat Rishon service intended to engage attendees of all ages. “This is about the community coming together in celebration of the Jewish homeland,” Janna Trevers-Meyer, one of the event’s organizers and the temple’s incoming vice president of membership, said. Nearly 90 people gathered for the dinner, sharing Israeli cuisine including falafel, shawarma and hummus. The turnout reflected what Trevers-Meyer described as a strong sense of connection in the congregation. “We blasted it out on social media and
made sure everybody knew what we were doing,” she said. “When our ballroom is kind of full, it’s a really nice feeling.” After dinner, the Shabbat Rishon service began earlier than usual to accommodate younger children. Second- and third-grade students joined Rabbi Caroline Sim on the bimah to help lead prayers and songs. Temple Am Echad’s services reflect its Reform tradition, incorporating both English and Hebrew prayers, along with music led by a cantor and an accompanist on piano. The services typically last about an hour, and are open to the public. For Trevers-Meyer, the celebration was both personal and communal. Having grown up at Temple Emanu-El of Lynbrook, which merged with Temple Saini of Lawrence in 2009 to become Temple Am Echad, she described the congregation as a lifelong home. “I pretty much grew up there,” she said. “I knew we had to join — it’s my second ConTInuEd on pAgE 9
W
e all have separate voices, but we come together in harmony. That’s what we want for our country.