Yesterday, Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan, marked the 400th anniversary of the publication of a fascinating work- Hashirim Asher Lishlomo by the composer Salamone Rossi, or Shlomo Min HaAdumim. Rossi was a groundbreaking and innovative figure whose music straddled the period between the Renaissance and Baroque eras. His polyphonic music (meaning that it featured many voices singing in harmony) sounds a great deal like his contemporaries, like Claudio Monteverdi- except that the text was all from Tehillim, or prayers from the Siddur. Nothing like this had been done in the world of synagogue music. Joshua Jacobson, Director of the Zamir Chorale, produced a lecture in honor of the occasion, with fascinating biographical information and amazing musical examples of Rossi’s output- it is well worth watching. Mystery Shul Of The Week
This shul is a replica of another shul on a different continent. A moving ceremony took place a few months ago, adding several special stones to the facade of the building. Name the shul and where it is located, the shul it is a replica of and the origin of the stones that were added.
Last week’s Mystery Shul Of The Week
Last week’s clue was:
This shul was designed by architect David Casuto, and features an Aron Kodesh brought from the Jewish community in Soragna, Italy. Initially, there was some opposition to the construction of this shul, but now, it is a part of daily life even for people who are regularly in opposition (hint). Perrin White correctly identified it as the shul in the Knesset.
It was originally the target of opposition by Emanuel Friedman, the planning and implementation coordinator for the Knesset building, because there was no plan to construct a church or a mosque for Christian or Muslim Members of Knesset. With elections in Israel looming on Tuesday, it is worth seeing a place where those who oppose one another, vehemently and passionately, gathering together to pray to the same God.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
