Dear Members and Friends of the Metropolitan Synagogue,

As Passover approaches, let us pause to reflect upon our recent successes and plans for the future. The year 2013 stared with our new first Family-Tot Shabbat monthly service at 5:00 pm on the second Friday of each month. This is an opportunity for families with young children to meet each other at synagogue. The service, geared toward young families, appeals to all ages.

On January 18, the synagogue hosted a “Freedom Shabbat” that commemorated civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, Jr. and other heroes of his era with folk songs from the period. Rabbi Plaut spoke about his father’s experience as a Freedom Rider. The next week, the shul held a Tu B’shvat Seder. This Jewish Arbor Day was celebrated by drinking various colored grape juices and eating fruits native to Israel, particularly grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Participants enjoyed the reading of old and new Jewish texts addressing our spiritual relationship with nature. Purim, celebrated on February 23, was another highlight. Over 55 adults and children crowded into our chapel and overflowed into the lobby to enjoy a “Les Miserables Purim Spiel” directed and led by Leah Tehrani with pianist Marty Silver. The Purim spiel was a musical take-off of Les Miserables. Children were happily running around and hamentaschen enjoyed by all.

As the shul moves forward, there are several initiatives we are pleased to share. We are strengthening our popular Hebrew Home Study program for Bar and Bat Mitzvah children as a pillar of the congregation. This program attracts families because of its innovative and engaging Bar / Bat Mitzvah study methods and convenience. The Home Study program is the perfect setting for comprehensive and personalized B’nai Mitzvot preparation. Families are encouraged to call (212) 679-8580 or email inquiries@metropolitansynagogue.org for more information about this exciting program.

On the first Shabbat of every month, a ten minute portion of the service is now devoted to Torah study led by Rabbi Plaut. He examines the weekly Torah portion’s relevance to modernity. Our cantorial soloist Leah Tehrani is working with several skilled musicians to help incorporate different musical styles into our weekly Shabbat services to ultimately construct an ensemble which will bring the shul to a new level musically. On Friday April 19 at 6:00 pm we will have a musical Shabbat dedicated to songs of Israel and on Friday May 31 at 6:00 pm the service will include Yiddish music and poetry. Finally, we are excited to introduce Mishkan T’filah, a new Shabbat prayerbook with transliterated prayers and creative readings.

In order to increase our momentum and to move confidently into the seasons ahead, the shul needs your help to continue to grow and prosper. Passover is a season for giving tzedakah, and we hope you will consider a generous charitable contribution of any amount to sustain our programming and to deepen our spiritual life. Please respond and give at any level. Your contribution will support our activities and the new Shabbat prayerbook.

Thank you for participating in the life of the Metropolitan Synagogue, the “Music and Culture Shul.” The Metropolitan Synagogue wishes our members and friends a joyous Passover. Hag Samech!!!

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The Music and Culture Shul

Here at the METROPOLITAN SYNAGOGUE, we bring together the warmth and spirituality of Judaism in our services as an extended family of all ages. For over fifty years, we have believed that music is a powerful vessel through which one can pray and one can also bring together a community with a common goal; a goal to keep the richness of our culture and religion alive.

We celebrate our cultural diversity and heritage as expressed through performance, the written word, and inspirational educational programming. As we go through our day to day struggles of finding the balance between traditions and modernity we invite you to join us in prayer and in song and come together to create one community.

We are the METROPOLITAN SYNAGOGUE and we welcome you!