Sinai Temple has a one hundred year old tradition of beauty, excellence, and creativity in its synagogue music. The founders of Sinai Temple considered the quality of their music very important to their service and it has remained so throughout Sinai's history. We are unique in our quality of synagogue music. Music composed and preimered at Sinai Temple has found it's way into synagogues throughout the country and world. It is only fitting that for our centennial celebration, we share with you some of the highlights from the Sounds of Sinai.

Tom Flesh, our President, had the vision for this project and encouraged me to pursue its realization and completion. Therefore I wanted to surprise Tom and complete this CD for our dinner dance honoring Judy and Tom for their dedication and commitment to our congregation. Thank you Judy and Tom for your Love and encouragement.

I want to thank Charlotte Levine for her generous contribution, which made this project possible. I shall always treasure Charlotte's friendship and support and shall always remember her beloved Albert with love and affection. May his memory be a blessing forever.

Thank you to Chris Hardin, my co-producer and arranger, along with the artists who gave of their time and talent to make this recording a reality. This CD is the collaboration of many talented individuals whose support and contribution to this project are immeasurable. Thank you to all of you.

Sincerely yours,
Cantor Joseph Gole

Hineni (Meir Finkelstein) Cantor Joseph Gole, Aryell Cohen and the Sinai Temple Choir

Hineni is one of the most dramatic moments of the High Holiday services. This prayer is recited by the Hazzan prior to the Musaph Service on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The hazzan approaches the bimah (pulpit) from the back of the synagogue and asks God to accept his prayers on behalf of the congregation.

Cantor Joseph Gole had played a significant role in the life of Sinai Temple. He was the cantor of Sinai Temple from 1972-1982, and then returned in 2000.

The accompanist is Aryell Cohen, beloved organist, choral director, and teacher for over thirty years.

"In deep humility, I stand and plead before You, God, unworthy of my sacred task. Please hear my prayers on behalf of my community..."

Elohai (Craig Taubman) Cantor Arianne Brown and Dale Schatz

This prayer, sung at the end of Amidah, is a favorite at our Torah in the Round Services.

Cantor Arianne Brown most recently joined the Sinai Temple Community in 2006.
Dale Schatz has been an influential part of music at Sinai since 1971.

"My God, keep my tongue from speaking harmful words and my lips from speaking lies..."

Avahat Olam (Ami Aloni) Cantor Arianne Brown and the Sinai Temple Choir

This setting of Avahat Olam brilliantly weaves a beautiful melody together in the traditional nusach for High Holiday evening services.

"With eternal love You have loved Your people Israel, teaching us Torah and Mitzvot, statutes and laws. Therefore God, when we lie down and rise up we will think and speak of them, rejoicing always in Your Torah and mitzvot. Blessed are You, who loves Your people Israel."

Hashkivenu (Craig Taubman) Craig Taubman and Caren Glasser

Craig Taubman is one of the most exciting Jewish composers of our day. His compositions are heard in synagogues throughout the world. Together with our own Rabbi David Wolpe, he created the very successful Friday Night Live, a musical service for young professionals that has been replicated throughout the United States. This is a selection from the service sung with his sister who is a cantor in Los Angeles.

"Allow us to lie and to rise in peace. Protect us as we enter and as we leave..."

Sh'ma Yosroel (Lieb Glanz) Cantor Lieb Glanz

Cantor Lieb Glanz was the cantor of Sinai Temple from 1941 to 1946. Considered by the cantorial scholars to be on of the most important cantors of the 20th century, he eventually immigrated to Israel and became a renowned teacher of hazzanim. This selection is from the Musaph K'dusha.

"Listen Israel, the Ruler is God, the Ruler is one. God is our God, source of our life, our sovereign, our savior who will mercifully save us again."

L'cha Dodi (Carl Urstein) Cantor Carl Urstein

Cantor Carl Urstein was the cantor of Sinai Temple from 1947-1982. His music and influence has lived on in our hearts and prayers. He composed many of the tunes still being used at Sinai today, including Hu Eloheinu, Avot, and the Shacharit we teach our children. This selection is from a recording made by Cantor Urstein in the 1960's.

"Come, my beloved, with chorus of praise; Welcome Shabbat the Bride, Queen of our days."

Birchat Kohanim (Meir Finkelstein) Cantor Meir Finkelstein

Cantor Meir Finkelstein, the leading composer of the contemporary cantorial music, was the cantor at Sinai Temple from 1982-2000. His compositions are heard in congregations throughout the world. His melodies and compositions are the mainstay for many cantors and their congregations. A talented composer and wonderful singer, he excels in his artistry and musicianship.

"May Adonai bless you and keep you..."

Vahavienu (Craig Taubman) Cantor Arianne Brown and Dale Schatz

Cantor Brown and Dale Schatz perform this selection regularly at Torah in the Round. The gathering of the fringes of the tallit is likened to gathering our memories, our histories, our hopes, and our dreams.

"Bring us peace from the four corners of the earth."

Shim Shalom (Michael Isaacson) Rickie Gole and the Sinai Temple Choir

Rickie Gole has had an extensive career in opera and has appeared with many major orchestras. This Sim Shalom is performed on Rosh Hashanah. Michael Isaacson, a renowned Jewish composer, composed this setting of Sim Shalom. His compositions are regularly included in our services. He is also the composer of the Kakatuv, which we sing at the end of Aleinu on Shabbat morning.

"Grant peace on earth, goodness and blessing, grace, kindness and mercy for us and all Israel, your people. Bless us all, O source of life, as one in the light of your presence. For in the light of your face you gave us, Sovereign God, the Torah of Life and love and kindness, and righteousness and blessing and mercy and life and peace."

Musaph Kaddish (Joseph Gole) Cantors Joseph Gole, Arianne Brown, and the Sinai Temple Choir

Cantor Joseph Gole wrote this composition for his son David's Bar Mitzvah. Based on a Mozart melody, the major mode leads us into our Musaph Amidah.

"Let it be great, let it be holy, God's great name - in the world created by divine will, which God will rule in sovereignty.

Kol Nidrei (Meir Finkelstein) Cantor Joseph Gole and the Sinai Temple Choir

Perhaps the most solemn and moving moment of the year, Kol Nidrei is recited three times on the eve of Yom Kippur. Kol Nidrei is a legal formula absolving us of all vows and promises. The music belies the text in its depth of meaning and emotion.

"May all vows between ourselves and God be annulled. May we be absolved and released of them."

Sim Shalom (Meir Finkelstein) Lesley Wolman, Cantor Joseph Gole and the Sinai Temple Choir

This duet is part of our Neliah service and is sung at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. Lesley Wolman is a professional singer and an active member of Sinai Temple.

"Grant peace on earth, goodness and blessing, grace, kindness and mercy for us and all Israel, your people. Bless us all, O source of life, as one in the light of your presence. For in the light of your face you gave us, Sovereign God, the Torah of Life and love and kindness, and righteousness and blessing and mercy and life and peace."

Sh'ma Koleinu (Max Helfman) Cantor Joseph Gole

Max Helfman, one of the most important liturgical composers ever, was also the choir director at Sinai from 1955-1961. We use many of his compositions to this day, such as Sh'ma Koleinu, and the Uvashofar Gadol that we sing on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mornings.

"Hear our voices of God, have compassion and mercy for us and receive our prayers and supplication..."

V'al Kulam (Meir Finkelstein) Cantors Joe Gole, Arianne Brown and the Sinai Temple Choir

This duet, arranged by Chris Hardin, is one of Sinai Temple's favorites.

"For all these things may Your name be blessed and exalted, always and forever. All the living will thank you and they will proclaim Your name in truth."

L'dor Vador (Meir Finkelstein) Hannah, David and Cantor Joseph Gole

Another favored duet of Neilah featuring my daughter Hannah, and my son, David.

"From generation to generation, we will declare Your greatness, and to all Eternity, we will proclaim Your holiness. We will never cease praising You, for You are a great and holy god and Sovereign."

Avinu Malkenu (Max Janowski) Rickie Gole and the Sinai Temple Choir

This prayer is chanted at the end of our Kol Nidrei and Neilah services. Barbra Streisand recently made Max Janowski's melody popular.

"Our creator, our Sovereign, we have done wrong in your presence. Our creator, our Sovereign, we have no one to rule over us but you. Our creator, our Soverign, help us for the honor of your name. Our creator, our Sovereign, renew for us a good year."

A Prayer for Israel (arr. Chris Hardin) Cantor Joseph Gole and the Sinai Temple Choir

This is a medley performed by Cantor Gole in November of 2006 for the Los Angeles General Assembly National Meeting of 5,000 delegates including Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Omert.

L'dor Vador (Meir Finkelstein) Cantor Joseph Gole and the Sinai Temple Choir

Anyone who comes to our Shabbat morning service can tell that L'dor Vador is a special and holy moment in our congregation.

"From generation to generation, we will declare Your greatness, and to all Eternity, we will proclaim Your holiness. We will never cease praising You, for You are a great and holy God and Sovereign."

B'yado (Craig Taubman) Cantors Joseph Gole and Arianne Brown

This composition, drawing on the last stanza of Adon Olam, was written originally for our own Friday Night Live by Craig Taubman. We decided to approach this arrangement completely differently than usually performed. We hope you like it!

"My soul I give to You, my spirit in Your care. Draw me near, I shall not fear, safely in Your hand."

Encore - Our Love is Here to Stay (George Gershwin) Cantor Joseph Gole and Chris Hardin

Our member, Don Rickles, hosted an evening with his friends to raise money for the Rickles Gym. Frank Sinatra was supposed to appear but canceled at the very last minute. I was asked to sing and chose this selection. Tony Bennett let me use his orchestra arrangement that evening. It conveys my love for all of you. Thank you. JG

CREDITS