By Cantor Sheldon F. Merel

SAN DIEGO—A few weeks ago, our editor, Donald Harrison received a glowing letter from Dr. Joel and Arlene Moskowitz praising cantorial soloist Judith Levy’s singing at Beth Shalom synagogue in Chula Vista. Don suggested I phone and request a copy of her CD, Threads of Blue which is a mixture of Liturgical, folk ,Ladino and Yiddish songs.

Born of a Sephardic mother and Askenazic father, Levy (photo, above right) grew up steeped in east and western Jewish culture and music, as well as an Orthodox religious orientation. She studied opera and voice in Canada and England, and has served as cantor at Temple Beth Shalom since 2003. She has previously served congregations in Vancouver, and Burbank, California, and has appeared with San Diego Light Opera, and Comic Opera companies.

She is also a recipient of several vocal awards in Toronto, Vancouver and from San Francisco Opera’s Merola Auditions. Copies of her CD are available on line, Judith Levy info@threadsofblue.com

I specifically chose this version of the R’tzey prayer from the Shabbat service, as I was instrumental in having it originally published by Transcontinental Music Company. Several years ago, while attending a mid-winter cantor’s convention in Phoenix, I heard this arrangement of R’tzey, written by my colleague, Cantor Stephen Richards. It received a warm

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response by my fellow cantors, and everyone immediately wanted to know how to obtain copies of this so far unpublished work.

By chance, the director of the Transcontinental Music Publishing company was also in attendance, and after the concert, I asked her what it would cost to publish this composition. She said that approximately one thousand dollars could make it happen. With that information, I took pen and paper in hand and solicited my fellow cantors for pledges toward this effort. Within the space of one hour, I had gathered sufficient pledges to guarantee that Steve Richard’s R’tzey would be published and available for sale. Once printed and published, it was an immediate hit and often sung in congregations throughout North America.

Transcontinental Music Company was originally begun by Dr. Freudenthal many years ago, and after his death, his wife donated its vast inventory to the Union of Reform Jews. It is one of the few remaining companies that specializes in publishing Jewish Music.

R’TZEY: “Accept, o Lord our God, your people Israel and their prayer: restore the service to the inner sanctuary of your home; receive in love and favor both the offerings of Israel and their prayer; and may the worship of your people Israel be ever acceptable unto You, and let our eyes behold Your return in mercy to Zion. Blessed are You, O Lord, who restores Your divine presence unto Zion.”


Merel is cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego. His email: merels@sandiegojewishworld.com. Selection of his performances as well as those of fellow cantors and cantorial soloists may be accessed by clicking here.