Ahavah Nitzchit - Love Doesn't Die

‫אהבה נצחית‬

Love Doesn’t Die*

A senior recital presented by

Alexandra Fox

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for cantorial ordination and the
Master of Sacred Music degree

November 8th, 2017 ~ 19 Cheshvan 5778

*Merrit Malloy

Ord er of Program

Opening

We Remember Them....................................................................Elaine Broad
Adonai Ro’i......................................................................Cantor Gerald Cohen

Funeral Liturgy

Esa Einai.......................................................................... ...........Max Janowski
Psalm XXIII..............................................................................Herman Berlinski
Eil Male Rachamim.......................................................Cantor Israel Goldstein

arr. Albert Weisser

Community Support

Rikmah Enoshit Achat.....................................................................Moti Hamer

arr. Joyce Rosenzweig

One Voice......................................................................................Ruth Moody

arr. Marcelline Moody

Preserving Memories

Yeish Kochavim..................................................................Cantor Jeff Klepper

arr. Andrea Jill Higgins

Supermarket Flowers......................................................................Ed Sheeran

Enhancing Legacy

V’ha’arev Na....................................................................Cantor Gerald Cohen
L’chol Ish Yeish Shem......................................................Cantor Alicia Stillman

Finding Peace With The Death

The 23rd Psalm..........................................................................Heinrich Schalit
Shiviti......................................................................Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller
Sow In Tears, Reap In Joy.....................................................Debbie Friedman

Collaborating Artists

Musicians:
Joyce Rosenzweig, piano

Pedro d’Aquino, organ
Ivan Barenboim, clarinet
Cantor Richard Cohn, conductor
Toby Glaser, percussion

Sarah Grabiner, flute

Narrator:
Jenn Mangold

5th Year Rabbinical Student, HUC-JIR Cincinnati

Octet:
Danielle Rodnizki and Olivia Brodsky, soprano

Tamara Wolfson and Sarah Grabiner, alto
Stefano Iacono and Toby Glaser, tenor

Robby Wittner and Pedro d’Aquino, bass

Guest Singers:
Cantor Elaya Jenkins-Adelberg
Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz

Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music Class of 2018:
Elizabeth Flynn, Jacob Niemi, Julie Staple,
Laura Stein, Tamara Wolfson

We Remember Them

Music: Elaine Broad
Text: Rabbi Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Reimer

Featuring Octet

In the rising of the sun, and in its going down,
we remember them.

In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
we remember them.

In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.

So as long as we live, they, too, shall live,
For they are now a part of us,
as we remember them.

(full adapted text in Mishkan T’filah, pg. 583)

Adonai Ro’i

Music: Cantor Gerald Cohen
Text: Psalm 23

Adonai ro-i lo echsar. .‫ לא אחסר‬,‫יי רעי‬
Binot deshe yarbitzeini ‫בנאות דשא ירביצני‬
.‫מי מנחות ינהלני‬-‫על‬
al mei m’nuchot y’nahaleini.
Nafshi y’shoveiv ‫נפשי ישובב‬
‫צדק‬-‫ינחני במעגלי‬
yan’cheini b’maglei tzedek
l’maan sh’mo. .‫למען שמו‬
‫גם כי אלך בגיא צלמות‬
Gam ki eilech b’gei tzalmavet ‫לא אירא רע כי אתה עמדי‬
lo-ira ra ki atah imadi
shivt’cha umishantecha ‫שבטך ומשענתך‬
.‫המה ינחמני‬
heimah y’nachamuni.
Taaroch l’fanai shulchan ‫תערך לפני שלחן‬
‫נגד צררי‬
neged tzor’rai
dishanta vashemen roshi ‫דשנת בשמן ראשי‬
.‫כוסי רויה‬
kosi r’vayah.
Ach tov vachesed yird’funi ‫אך טוב וחסד ירדפוני‬
‫ימי חיי‬-‫כל‬
kol y’mei chayai
v’shavti b’veit Adonai ‫יי‬-‫ושבתי בבית‬
l’orech yamim. .‫לארך ימים‬

Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing. God makes me lie down in green pastures;
God leads me to water in places of repose; God renews my life; God guides me in
right paths as befits God’s name. Though I walk through a valley of deepest
darkness, I fear no harm, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff – they comfort
me. You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies; You anoint my head with
oil; my drink is abundant. Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the
days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of Adonai for many long years.

(translation from Mishkan T’filah, pg 576)

Esa Einai

Music: Max Janowski
Text: Psalm 121

Featuring Octet and Pedro d’Aquino

Esa einai el heharim ‫ההרים‬-‫אשא עיני אל‬
?‫מאין יבוא עזרי‬
mei-ayin yavo ezri? ,‫עזרי מעם יי‬
Ezri mei-im Adonai,
oseh shamayim vaaretz. .‫עשה שמים וארץ‬
,‫יתן למוט רגלך‬-‫אל‬
Al yitein lamot reglecha,
al yanum shomrecha. .‫ינום שמרך‬-‫אל‬
‫ינום ולא יישן‬-‫הנה לא‬
Hinei lo yanum v’lo yishan
shomeir Yisrael. .‫שומר ישראל‬
,‫יי שמרך‬
Adonai shomrecha,
Adonai tzilcha al yad y’minecha. .‫יד ימינך‬-‫יי צלך על‬
,‫יככה‬-‫יומם השמש לא‬
Yomam hashemesh lo yakeka,
v’yarei-ach balaila. .‫וירח בלילה‬
,‫רע‬-‫יי ישמרך מכל‬
Adonai yishmorcha mikol ra,
yishmor et nafshecha. .‫נפשך‬-‫ישמר את‬
Adonai yishmor tzeitcha uvo-echa, ,‫צאתך ובואך‬-‫יי ישמר‬
mei-atah v’ad olam.
.‫עולם‬-‫מעתה יעד‬

I turn my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come? My help comes from
Adonai, maker of heaven and earth. God will not let your foot give way; your guardian
will not slumber; See, the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps! Adonai is
your guardian, Adonai is your protection and your right hand. By day the sun will not
strike you, nor the moon by night. Adonai will guard you from all harm; God will guard
your life. Adonai will guard your coming now and forever.

(translation from Mishkan T’filah, pg 577)

Psalm XXIII

Music: Herman Berlinksi
Text: Psalm 23

Featuring Sarah Grabiner

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to line down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He guideth me in straight paths for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For Thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies:
Thou hast anointed my head with oi;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Eil Malei Rachamim

Music: Cantor Israel Goldstein

Arranged by Albert Weisser

Text: Liturgy

Eil malei rachamim, ‫אל מלא רחמים‬
Shochein bamromim. .‫שוכן במרימים‬
‫המצא מנוחה נכונה‬
Ha-m’tzei m’nuchah n’chonah ,‫תחת כנפי השכינה‬
tachat kanfei haShechinah, ,‫במעלות קדושים וטהורים‬
,‫כזהר הרקיע מזהירים‬
b’ma’alot k’doshim u’t’horim, ___ ‫בת‬/‫את נשמת ___ בן‬
k’zohar harakia mazhirim, .‫ה‬/‫כה לעולמו‬/‫שהלך‬
.‫ה‬/‫בגן עדן תהא מנוחתו‬
et nishmat ___ ben/bat ____
shehalach/chah l’olamo/ah. ‫בעל הרחמים‬
,‫ה בסתר כנפיו לעולמים‬/‫יסתירהו‬
B’gan Eidein t’hei menuchato/ah. .‫ה‬/‫נשמתו‬-‫ויצרור בצרור החיים את‬
Ba’al harachamim,
,‫ה‬/‫יי הוא נחלתו‬
yastireihu/ha b’seiter k’nafav l’olamim, .‫ה‬/‫תנוח בשלום על משכבו‬/‫וי‬
V’yitz’ror bitz’ror hachayim et nishmato/ah.
Adonai hu nachalato/ah, .‫ אמן‬:‫ונאמר‬

v’ya/tanuach b’shalom al mishkavo/ah.
V’nomar: Amen.

Compassionate God, eternal Spirit of the universe, grant perfect rest in Your
sheltering presence, among the holy and pure, to the soul of _________, who has
entered eternity. May his/her repose be in Paradise. O God of mercy, let him/her
find refuge for ever in the shadow of Your wings, and let his/her soul be bound up
in the bond of everlasting life. God is his/her inheritance. May he/she rest in peace.
And let us say: Amen.

(translation from Complete Cantor’s Lifecycle Manual, pg E–54)

Rikmah Enoshit Achat

Words and Music: Moti Hamer

Arranged by Joyce Rosenzweig

As sung by Ninet Tayeb

K’she’amut, mashehu mimeni yamut b’cha. .‫ משהו ממני ימות בך‬,‫כשאמות‬
K’shetamut, mashehu mimcha bi yamut itcha. .‫ משהו ממך בי ימות איתך‬,‫כשתמות‬

Ki kulanu, ken kulanu ‫ כן כולנו‬,‫כי כולנו‬
‫כולנו רקמה אנושית אחת חיה‬
kulanu rikmah enoshit achat chayah
v’im echad mei’itanu ‫ואם אחד מאיתנו‬
‫הולך מעמנו‬
holech mei’imanu
‫משהו מת בנו‬
mashehu met banu .‫ נשאר איתו‬,‫משהו‬
mashehu, nish’ar ito.

Im ned’a, eich l’hargi’a ‫ איך להרגיע‬,‫אם נדע‬
et ha’eivah, im rak ned’a. .‫ אם רק נדע‬,‫את האיבה‬

Im ned’a l’hashkit et ze’ameinu ,‫אם נדע להשקיט את זעמנו‬
al af elboneinu, lomar slichah. .‫ לומר סליחה‬,‫על אף עלבוננו‬
Im ned’a l’hatchil m’hatchalah.
.‫אם נדע להתחיל מהתחלה‬

Ki

When I die, something from me will die in you. When you die, something from you
will die in me. Because all of us – yes, all of us – are one living human tissue. If one of
us leaves us, something dies in us, and something stays with him. If we knew how to
calm the hostility... if only we knew. If we knew how to calm our rage despite our pain
to say sorry... if only we knew how to start from the beginning.

One Voice

Words and Music: Ruth Moody

Arranged by Marcelline Moody
As sung by The Wailin’ Jennys

Featuring DFSSM 2018

This is the sound of one voice,
One spirit, one voice,

The sound of one who makes a choice,
This is the sound of one voice.

This is the sound of voices two,
The sound of me singin’ with you.
Helping each other to make it through,

This is the sound of voices two.

This is the sound of voices three,
Singin’ together in harmony,
Surrendering to the mystery,

This is the sound of voices three.

This is the sound of all of us,
Singin’ with love and the will to trust.
Leave the rest behind it’ll turn to dust,

This is the sound of all of us.

This is the sound of one voice.
One people, one voice.

A song for every one of us,
This is the sound of one voice.

Yeish Kochavim

Music: Cantor Jeff Klepper
Text: Hebrew by Hannah Senesh

English by Cantor Jeff Klepper and Rabbi Daniel Freelander
Arranged by Angela Jill Higgins

Featuring Octet

There are stars up above,
so far away we only see their light
long, long after the star itself is gone.
And so it is with people that we loved,
their memories keep shining ever brightly
though their time with us is done.
But the stars that light up the darkest night,
these are the lights that guide us.
As we live our days, these are the ways we remember.

Yeish kochavim she-oram magia artzah ‫יש כוכבים שאורם מגיע ארצה‬
rak ka’asher heim atzmam avdu v’einam. .‫רק כאשר הם עצמם אבדו ואינם‬
Yeish anashim sheziv zichram mei’ir
ka’asher heim atzmam einam od b’tocheinu. ‫יש אנשים שזיו זכרם מאיר‬
Orot eileh hamav’hikim .‫כאשר הם עצמם אינם עוד בתוכינו‬
b’cheshkat ha’layil
heim heim shemarim la’adam et haderech. ‫אורות אלה המבהיקים‬
‫בחשכת הליל‬

.‫הם הם שמראים לאדם את הדרך‬

Supermarket Flowers

Words and Music: Ed Sheeran, Benjamin Levin, and
Johnny McDaid

Featuring Cantor Elaya Jenkins-Adelberg

I took the supermarket flowers from the window sill.
Threw the day old tea from the cup.
Packed up the photo album Matthew had made.
Memories of a life that’s been loved.
Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals.
Poured the old ginger beer down the sink.
Dad always told me, “Don’t you cry when you’re down,”
But mom, there’s a tear every time that I blink.
Oh, I’m in pieces. It’s tearin’ me up but I know
A heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved.
So I’ll sing Hallelujah, you were an angel in the shape of my mom.
When I fell down you’d be there holdin’ me up, spread your wings as you go.
When God takes you back He’ll say “Hallelujah, you’re home.”
I fluffed the pillows, made the bed, stacked the chairs up.
Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case.
John said he’d drive, then put his hand on my cheek
and wiped a tear from the side of my face.
I hope that I see the world as you did ‘cause I know
A life with love is a life that’s been lived.
So I’ll sing Hallelujah, you were an angel in the shape of my mom.
You got to see the person I have become, spread your wings and I know that
When God took you back He said “Hallelujah, you’re home.”

V’ha’arev Na

Music: Cantor Gerald Cohen

Text: Liturgy

Baruch atah, Adonai ‫ יי‬,‫ברוך אתה‬
Eloheinu, Melech haolam, ,‫ מלך העולם‬,‫אלוהינו‬
Asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav ‫אשר קדשנו במצותיו‬
V’tzivanu laasok b’divrei Torah. .‫וציונו לעסוק בדברי תורה‬

V’ha’arev Na Adonai Eloheinu ‫נא יי אלוהינו‬-‫והערב‬
et divrei Torat-cha b’finu, ,‫דברי תורתך בפינו‬-‫את‬
uv’fi amcha beit Yisrael, ,‫ובפי עמך בית ישראל‬
v’nih’yeh anachnu v’tze-etza-einu ,‫ונהיה אנחנו וצאצאינו‬
v’tze-etza-ei amcha beit Yisrael ,‫וצאצאי עמך בית ישראל‬
kulanu yod’ei sh’mecha,
v’lomdei Toratecha lish’mah. ,‫כולנו יודעי שמך‬
Baruch atah, Adonai, .‫ולומדי תורתך לשמה‬
ha-m’lameid Torah l’amo Yisrael.
,‫ יי‬,‫ברוך אתה‬
.‫המלמד תורה לעמו ישראל‬

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot,
commanding us to engage with words of Torah. O Adonai, our God, let the words of
Torah be sweet in our mouths, and the mouths of Your people Israel, so that we, our
descendants and the descendants of all Your people Israel may know You, by studying
your Torah for its own sake. Blessed are You, Adonai, who teaches Torah to Your people
Israel.

(translation from Mishkan T’filah)

L’chol Ish Yesh Shem

Music: Cantor Alicia Stillman

Text: Zelda

L’chol ish yesh shem We each have a name ‫לכל איש יש שם‬
given by God
shenatan lo Elohim and given by our father ‫שנתן לו אלוהים‬
v’natnu lo aviv v’imo. and mother. .‫ונתנו לו אביו ואמו‬
L’chol ish yesh shem W e each have a name ‫לכל איש יש שם‬

she’natnu lo komato given by our stature ‫שנתנו לו קומתו‬

v’ofen chiyucho v’he’arig. and smile and given by our attire. .‫ואופן חיוכו והאריג‬
L’chol ish yesh shem ‫לכל איש יש שם‬

she’natnu lo heharim ‫שנתנו לו ההרים‬
We each have a name

given by the hills

shenatnu lo hamazalot and given by the stars; ‫שנתנו לו המזלות‬
shenatnu lo t’kufot hashanah given by the seasons ‫שנתנו לו תקופות השנה‬
v’natnah lo ahavato. and given by our love.
L’chol ish yesh shem .‫ונתנה לו אהבתו‬
shenatan lo Elohim We each have a name ‫לכל איש יש שם‬
v’natnu lo aviv v’imo.
given by God ‫שנתן לו אלוהים‬
L’chol ish yesh shem and given by our father .‫ונתנו לו אביו ואמו‬
shenatan lo hayam and mother.

We each have a name ‫לכל איש יש שם‬
Given by the sea ‫שנתן לו הים‬

v’natan lo moto. And given by our death. .‫ונתן לו מותו‬



(Full text and translation found in Mishkan T’filah on page 579)

The 23rd Psalm

Music: Heinrich Schalit
Text: Psalm 23

Featuring Octet

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He guideth me in straight paths for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk thru the valley of death.
I fear no evil, for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me;
Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou hast anointed my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Shiviti

Music: Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller

Text: Psalm 16: 8-9

Featuring Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz

Shiviti Adonai l’negdi tamid ‫שויתי יהוה לנגדי תמיד‬
ki mimini bal emot: :‫אמוט‬-‫כי מימיני בל‬
Lachein samach libi ‫לכן שמח לבי‬
va’yagel k’vodi ‫ויגל כבודי‬
af b’sari yishkon lavetach:
:‫בשרי ישכון לבטח‬-‫אף‬

I am ever mindful of Adonai’s presence;
God is my right hand; I shall never be shaken.

So, my heart rejoices,
my whole being exults,
and my body rests secure.

(translation from Mishkan T’filah, pg. 578)

Sow In Tears, Reap In Joy

Music: Debbie Friedman
English Text: Based on Psalm 126

Those who sow in tears will reap in joy

~

‫הזורעים בדמעה ברינה יקצרו‬

Sources
We Remember Them (Broad) – Transcontinental Music Publications, 1994
Adonai Ro’i (Cohen) – Published by composer Gerald Cohen,
geraldcohenmusic.com, 1992
Esa Einai (Janowski) – Published by Friends of Jewish Music Publication, 1962,
Max Janowski
Psalm XXIII (Berlinski) – Published by Mercury Music Corporation, 1962
Eil Malei Rachamim (Goldstein) – Published by Sacred Music Press, 1996
Rikmah Enoshit Achat (Hamer) – As sung by Ninet Tayeb at Yad V’shem, May
1st, 2008; Transcribed by Pedro d’Aquino, 2010
One Voice (Moody) – Published by Ruth Moody (SOCAN), 2004
Yeish Kochavim (Klepper/Freelander/Higgins) – Published by Transcontinental
Music Publications, 2000
Supermarket Flowers (Sheeran) – Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK)
Limited, 2017
V’ha’arev Na (Cohen) – Published by composer Gerald Cohen,
geraldcohenmusic.com, 1997
L’chol Ish Yesh Shem (Stillman) – Manuscript; For the music, reach out to
composer at [email protected]
The 23rd Psalm (Schalit) – Published by Transcontinental Music Publications,
1994

Sources cont.

Shiviti (Schiller) – Manuscript; This duet arrangement composed for this recital

Sow In Tears, Reap In Joy (Friedman) – Sing Unto God: The Debbie Friedman
Anthology; Edited by Joe Eglash; Published by Transcontinental Music
Publications and URJ Books and Music; 2013

Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul: Stories about Life, Death and Overcoming
the Loss of a Loved One – Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen; Chicken
Soup for the Soul Publishing, 2012

Complete Cantor’s Lifecycle Manual – Published by American Conference of
Cantors; Edited by Cantor Benjamin Z. Maissner, Cantor Lisa Lipco Levine,
Cantor Michael A. Shochet; 2000

Mishkan T’filah: A Reform Siddur – Published by Central Conference of
American Rabbis; Edited by Rabbi Elyse D. Frishman; 2006

The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom; Published by Hyperion
Books, 2003

The Living Memories Project: Legacies That Last – Meryl Ain, Arthur M.
Fischman, and Stewart Ain; Published by Little Miami Publishing Co., 2014

Thank you to the following individuals who shared their heartfelt stories with
me: Merri Lovinger Arian, Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein, Sue Schroeder,
Rabbi Phyllis Sommer, Alicia Stillman, and the countless others whose names
do not make an appearance in my recital

This recital and my journey to the cantorate would not be possible without the
guidance, love, and support from so many people.

My deep and heartfelt gratitude to:

Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller
Rabbi Kim Geringer
Joyce Rosenzweig
Ivan Barenboim
Jenn Mangold
Cantor Richard Cohn

Pedro d’Aquino, Sarah Grabiner, Toby Glaser,
Danielle Rodnizki, Olivia Brodsky, Tamara Wolfson,

Stefano Iacono, and Robby Wittner
Cantor Israel Goldstein
Cantor Gerald Cohen

Cantor Elaya Jenkins-Adelberg
Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz
Rabbis Steven Stark Lowenstein, Phyllis Sommer, and Pam Mandel

The Am Shalom community
Cantors Rebecca Garfein and Shayna De Lowe

Shani Ben Or & Yosi Yeshaya
Ilana Goldman & Alex Southey

Rabbi Jackie Ellenson
Candace Goetz

The HUC-JIR faculty and every person from whom I have had the privilege to learn
Harriet Lewis, Andy Estevez, and the HUC-JIR Maintenance Staff
The Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music Class of 2018:

Elizabeth Flynn, Jacob Niemi, Julie Staple, Laura Stein, and Tamara Wolfson
The Fox, Rowin, and Sklar families

My beloved Grandma Helen Rowin z’l
Cantor Stephen Dubov, z’l

Love doesn’t die, people do.
So, when all that’s left of me is love,
Give me away.

~ Merrit Malloy

Dedicated to the loving memories of
Helen Rowin and Cantor Stephen Dubov