A nervous Eli Kahn stood behind the bimah with me as his Neshoma Orchestra played the opening number. Many years ago, he said, his father hosted a Theodore Bickel concert at Beth El. Even though he was a young teen, Eli remembered it well. Since that time, Eli confided in me, he has dreamed of doing a concert on our bimah. But, he noted, Bickel only needed his own voice and a guitar to carry the night, but he, Eli, needed a whole orchestra.
Well, Eli did not in fact need an entire orchestra, all he need was his own neshoma, his own heart and soul. But having the Neshoma Orchestra certainly helped. The hour and a half concert was attended by nearly 350 people. During the course of the musical evening, Eli told stories, stopping at one point to give a more formal address. It was at that time that Eli spoke of his son, Zev, calling him one of the “Lamed Vav-niks” – the 36 truly righteous individuals who support the whole world. The Lamed Vav-nicks, said Eli, hear Gd tucking them in at night, saying goodnight to the world. And the Lamed Vav-niks start every day hearing Gd wish the world a good morning. That’s what Zev hears, said his father. And, as a result, Zev sings as he goes to bed and sings from the moment he wakes up in the morning. He sings Jewish songs, he sings secular songs, he sings songs known only to him. He sings in bed, he sings in the hospitals, he sings during treatment for his complicated medical conditions. He sings with joy for the miracle of life.
Tonight Beth El helped Zev to sing more comfortably in his own home. All of the proceeds from the concert (there were no overhead expenses) went directly to Zev’s care. It was a beautiful evening of touching words, stirring songs, and loving tribute. This was a night those in attendance will long remember.
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3 comments:
Having attended last night's concert, I want to hold on to the warm, loving feeling that permeated the Sanctuary! What a wonderful evening! Eli and his orchestra touched the neshomas of all present. We clapped, we sang, and we remembered those who made Beth El into the marvelous institution it is today. As we prepare to move forward let us take the strength of our past and meld it with our strength today so that our children, and our children's children, continue to feel the love we felt last night.
I have just read the first comment, and I can only say "Omayne." The concert last night will remain in my memory forever; we left with such a good feeling and it continues today. Thanks to those who made it possible and a tribute to the Kahn family for its continued ties to Beth El. And thank you, Rabbik for your blog that puts my feelings into words.
I hope this is just the FIRST concert for Zev.
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