Imagine a Shabbat service where at some points more people are dancing in the aisles rather than sitting, children are smiling and clapping, and afterwards everyone gathers to drink wine and beer, and eat delicious desserts.
This was the scene at Congregation Emanuel B’ne Jeshurun last Friday, when a group of all ages gathered for Torahpalooza, a Shabbat service that Ari David Rosenthal, an event organizer and musician, calls a “concert experience at the synagogue.”
“I’ve talked to some people I’ve never seen before, young people, young families — clearly some are looking to connect with others Jews,” said Rosenthal, of those he has met at Torahpalooza, which has taken place the first Friday of almost every month since June at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun.
Rosenthal, a flutist and saxophone player, makes up part of the group that performs the musical “Shabbos with an attitude,” which also consists of Emanu-El’s Cantor David Barash on vocals and dumbek, Joe Aaron on clarinet, Ed Doemland on keyboard, Guy Fiorentini on double bass and Marc “Lil’ Rev” Revenson, on guitar and other string instruments.
“People are loving it and coming every week,” Rosenthal said. “We’re seeing a consistent group. Kids are coming, singing and dancing. We’re basically sending a message that people should be able to enjoy their religious experience. Whatever level of their faith, they can be welcome.”
“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Marissa Tabak, 24, who attended her first Torahpalooza on Dec. 2.
Tabak said, “even though I was in a new environment, I felt quite comfortable and peaceful” throughout the service.
“One of the slower prayers featured Barash on vocals and was very moving — more so than it might have been in a regular Shabbat service — possibly because he was backed by six instruments, including his own,” she said.
Several times throughout the evening, she said “various members in the audience, including myself, seemed to want to burst into applause.”
The idea behind Torahpalooza “was a combination of things” according to Barash, who first heard of the musical service idea at a Union for Reform Judaism conference that he attended last year. One of the subjects of the workshops was “addressing the needs of 20- and 30-somethings.” he said.
Shortly afterward, Barash met separately with Revenson and Rosenthal, who were both interested in creating a live music experience service. The idea “quickly began to take shape,” said Barash.
Originally, Barash suggested the name “Rocking Ruach,” but Rosenthal said they decided to change the name to Torahpalooza, after the Lollapalooza music festival, in hopes to draw in more young people. “[The title and] tagline [‘Shabbos With an Attitude’] combination really captures what we’re trying to do,” said Rosenthal.
“Our original goal was to market to the 20s and 30s,” said Barash, but then we “opened it up to all ages.”
Now its “more an all-inclusive concept,” Rosenthal said. “We have shifted the approach to a community-wide concept. It’s important everybody should feel welcome.”
Since June, Rosenthal said that attendance has “doubled in size, which is a testimony to the concept.”
Susan Stein, 52, a member of the congregation, said she has attended each of the services that have been held so far, except for the most recent.
“I wish we could have them every week,” said Stein. “It combines culture and spirituality,” she said, adding that Torahpalooza is “the only place that I’ve seen in Milwaukee where there are many decades [of ages] of people at a service.”
But those who are hesitant to attend, said Rosenthal, need not be. “It’s fun, it’s spiritual and the music is beautiful. There’s no pretention. It’s a very laid-back and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
