Choir Leadership: Alice Fasman, Leah Peer, & Eitan Kantor
Music making, in general, and singing in particular, is good for you. It expands our lungs, releases endorphins, and lowers blood pressure. As enjoyable as it is to listen to music, being an active participant is proven to provide a wide range of benefits, including a feeling of connection to the community.
Singing together is a large part of HEA community involvement, from the launch of Shir Hadash services to the inclusion of a choir in the traditional High Holiday services, the creation of Levi’im service leaders, and the exciting and participatory HEA concert series. We are now excited to announce the launch of a new HEA choir initiative.
SHIRU! (Singing Here, In Ru’ach and Unity) will have a mission of enhancing Jewish identity and community engagement through lifelong involvement in choral singing. Starting in fall 2025, HEA is launching three choirs, under the joint leadership of Alice Fasman, Eitan Kantor and Leah Peer. The choirs will rehearse on Tuesday evenings, and prepare music for three events throughout the 2025/2026 school year.
Nevatim (sprouts) for grades 2-5; Kaftorim (buds) for grades 6-12, and Prachim (flowers) for adults.
All participants must register for a placement assessment, which will occur on Tuesday, June 10, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. To help with the costs of this program, participants must also make a small donation ($72 for members, $100 for non-members) to the HEA music fund. Scholarships are available on request. No one will be turned away for financial reasons.
While this is an HEA-focused choir, non-HEA members are welcome to participate in SHIRU!
ClickHEREto see the full schedule for 2025/26, and register for a placement assessment.
If you are unavailable on June 10 for a placement assessment, please contact Leah or Alice.
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Coming Up!
Magic Minyan Shabbat, May 10th 11:00a to 12:00p A "magical" Shabbat experience for kids and their adults! Monthly Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Shulman Wednesday, May 14th 12:00p to 1:00p A curriculum on Judaism and Jewish identity based on traditional sources and the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Topics include Identity, Prayer, Study, Mitzvot, Tzedakah, Chesed, Faith, Israel, Kiddush Hashem, and the Jewish future.
Tot Shabbat Shabbat, May 17th 10:45a to 12:00p A fun and spirited playtime and Tot Shabbat service.
Sisterhood Tea Sunday, May 18th 2:00p to 4:00p Enjoy delicious desserts, soothing teas, and handcrafted pampering. Guest Speaker: Gail Krovitz, Owner of Gold Rush Soaps. $36 for adults and $10 for girls between 2 and 12 years. Hochmat Nashim: Women’s Torah Study Group Sunday, May 18th 6:30p to 8:00p Join a vibrant group of Jewish women led by Rabbi Shulman and Gitit Kaufman for a meaningful evening of engagement with Torah and one another.
Shalom Ambassadors Sunday, May 18th 6:45p to 7:45p If you are interested in getting involved as a Shalom Ambassador, please come to our next meeting on Sunday, May 4th at 6:45 p.m. at the GYC.
Cooking and Connection. What We Share: a Fellowship of the Greek and Jewish Communities Tuesday, May 20th 11:30a to 1:30p Come be a part of this lively exchange of cultures, cuisines, and faiths. Converse about our two similar Mediterranean traditions, prepare and share delicious foods from both cultures and then take an interactive tour of HEA’s sanctuary and its storied artistic and ritualistic legacy. This program is sponsored by the HEA Sisterhood and the Women of the Philoptochos. This is a women's only event.
Annual Meeting Wednesday, May 21st 6:30p to 8:00p HEA members, please join us to vote on our next Board of Directors, learn more about the land sale, and the vision for the future of HEA. Appetizers are at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting is at 7:00 p.m.
Monthly Israel Updates with Amir Kaufman Thursday, May 22nd 6:30p to 8:00p Finding it hard to keep track of what's going on in Israel? Join us for a monthly class that aims to cut through the noise. Led by Amir Kaufman, we'll be diving into the societal changes that are happening during the war. Join us to stay informed and thoughtful about our homeland.
Musical Mystical Ma’ariv Thursday, May 22nd 7:30p to 9:00p Join us for an uplifting spiritual chanting event led by Elana Brody and Shir Hadash music director Noah Leavitt. No previous singing experience or skill is necessary to attend. Most of the songs will be in the form of short call-and-response lines accompanied by instruments such as harmonium, gentle hand drum and violin played by our HEA music director Eitan Kantor.
Kavod on the Road Tuesday, May 27th 1:00p to 2:30p Monthly programs for adults hosted by Kavod On the Road at HEA. The Heartbeat of Tradition: Klezmer, Yiddish, and New Sounds with Eitan Kantor.
Azamra + Dinner Friday, May 30th 5:30p to 8:00p Our Friday Evening Musical Shabbat service followed by a tasty kosher meal!
Torah for Today Class Shabbat, Jun 7th 10:30a to 11:15a With Rabbi Mordecai Magencey, Ph.D.
SLAK: Galveston Movement Thursday, Jun 12th 6:00p to 8:30p for a potluck dinner and an engaging presentation on the Galveston Movement—a fascinating and often overlooked chapter in Jewish American history. This initiative helped resettle thousands of Jewish immigrants through the Port of Galveston (yes, in Texas!). We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Joshua Furman from the University of Denver’s Center for Judaic Studies and the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society as our speaker for the evening. Dr. Furman's presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat in the Park Friday, Jun 13th 5:00p to 7:00p Enjoy a fun-filled Shabbat service and celebration for young ones and their adults at Westland's Park, Center Pavilion. Families should bring their own dairy dinner, and HEA will provide snacks and drinks.
