Music & Prayer

Music, as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel taught, provides the catalyst for connecting the disparate elements of the finely woven tapestry of the fixed words of liturgy (keva) and kavanah, our deepest, truest intentions to reach and serve God. At North Shore Congregation Israel, we search for ways to fill both keva with kavanah. We explore the possibility that music can function in many ways, including:

1) Praising God

2) Providing a deeper understanding of our sacred texts

3) Resonating with our community 

4) Linking us to our history

5) Connecting us to our coreligionists around the world

6) Allowing us to explore the awesome nature of God

7) Creating moments of introspection 

8) Deepening our relationships within our families

Here at NSCI you will find music infused into every aspect of our community’s life. We invite you to join us on a sacred journey with music as our vehicle. Click HERE to listen to an archive audio of Cantor Benjamin Landsman, NSCI's first cantor.

There will be a light dinner for those attending Shabbat services before the concerts. All Post Kabbalat Shabbat concerts are generously sponsored by Madeleine and Harvey Plonsker, Jim Stone, and Bobby Takiff.*

Upcoming Music Events

• Post Kabbalat Shabbat Concert - Eric Gratz and Marta Aznavoorian
  Friday, November 22nd, 8:00 pm in Perlman Sanctuary
  Violinist Eric Gratz, newly appointed Director of the American Chamber Music Society in Chicago, and pianist Marta Aznavoorian, a multi-Grammy nominated artist, will perform together in a piano and string duet. With concert credits circling the globe, both artists have gained their fair share of awards and honors, but never before have they come together to perform in our very own Perlman Sanctuary, until now! Register here.  

• Post Kabbalat Shabbat Concert - Noah Aronson
  Friday, December 13th, 8:00 pm in Perlman Sanctuary
  Noah Aronson, Brooklyn-based recording artist, composer, and performer, is widely recognized as one of the top touring Jewish performers in the United States. With twenty years of experience, Noah tours worldwide with his band and as a solo act, creating engaging music events that blend wellness, spirituality, and creativity. His immense musicality combined with his lighthearted yet deeply intentional approach inspires audiences time and time again. Noah will also participate Kabbalat Shabbat services before the concert, joined by our very own Selah. Register here.
• Post Kabbalat Shabbat Concert - Chicago Piano Quartet
  Friday, January 10th, 8:00 pm in Perlman Sanctuary
  The Chicago Piano Quartet features four of the city’s most acclaimed musicians: violinist Desirée Ruhstrat, cellist David Cunliffe, pianist Marta Aznavoorian, and violist Aurélien Fort Pederzoli. Each member is an artist of international renown. Desirée Ruhstrat has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe, appearing at the White House; Aurélien Fort Pederzoli was a founding member of the groundbreaking, Grammy-nominated Spektral Quartet; David Cunliffe has performed with the BBC and Royal Scottish orchestras; and Marta Aznavoorian has appeared with the Chicago Symphony and has performed at the Kennedy Center and the Sydney Opera House. Register here.
• Post Kabbalat Shabbat Concert - Soul Farm and Sari
  Friday, February 21st, 8:00 pm in Perlman Sanctuary
  Grammy-winning guitarist C Lanzbom and singer-songwriter Noah Solomon Chase, from the acclaimed Israeli-American band Soulfarm have teamed up with Sari Greenberg, singer, songwriter and actor, who has performed all over the world, to create a truly unique musical experience. Touring together for over six years, Soulfarm & Sari bring you a dynamic blend of Israeli, folk, blues, and pop music and are sure to perform some of your favorite melodies and make you fall in love with new tunes. Register here.
• Post Kabbalat Shabbat Concert - Katelyn Vahala and Annie Jacobs-Perkins
  Friday, March 21st, 8:00 pm in Perlman Sanctuary
  2023–2024 Piano Spheres Emerging Artist, Katelyn Vahala and 2023 Pierre Fournier Award winner, Annie Jacobs-Perkins will be combining their incredible chamber talents for a magnificent evening of musical genius. These accomplished musicians have wowed audience members; Katelyn with her “wonderfully rhythmic and robust playing” and Annie with her “hypnotic lyricism.” We are thrilled to welcome this exciting combination of artists to NSCI. Register here.
• Post Kabbalat Shabbat Concert - Alan Goodis
  Friday, May 2nd, 8:00 pm in Perlman Sanctuary
  Alan Goodis is a national touring Jewish musician playing over 150 events a year. Noted for his dedication to building relationships and community through music, Alan travels throughout North America to serve as an artist-in-residence and performer at temples, youth conventions, and Jewish summer camps. Alan and his music have become a fixture at North Shore Congregation Israel and other congregations, URJ camps, and youth events from coast to coast. Register here.                  *This concert is generously funded by the Zollie and Elaine Frank Music Fund.

Music Groups with Cantor Goldstein

Holy Chanters

Tuesdays from 12:00–1:00 pm via Zoom

December 6 & 13; January 3, 17 & 31; March 14

Learn to chant with Cantor Goldstein on your lunch break! This session of Holy Chanters will focus on the cantillation of the sacred texts for the three festivals: Ecclesiastes (Sukkot), Song of Songs (Passover), and Ruth (Shavuot). Click here to register.
 
Shir Chadash
Rehearsal: Mondays at 7:00–8:30 pm

Shabbat Worship: Friday, December 9 (5 pm rehearsal; 6:15pm service)
Join Cantor Goldstein at NSCI and meet friends who love to sing or play a musical instrument. Shir Chadash adult choir provides a rich harmony to enhance our worship experience and help create sacred moments during Shabbat, celebrations and commemorations! Our repertoire includes a variety of traditional and new genres. Please contact Sarah to register.
 
Healing Service – Wednesdays at 8:00 pm on Facebook
Wednesdays at 8:00 pm – November 9, December 7

Join Cantor Goldstein for a quiet and contemplative Healing Service. Whether seeking support in navigating the circumstances in which we or our loved ones find themselves, together we can create a quiet, gentle time for prayer, meditation, and song that focuses on healing and wholeness.

You can now submit a name to be included in the upcoming service. Submissions will be used as long as they have been received by 11:59 PM on the Tuesday (day) before the service. Click here to submit a name. Click here for the service packet.

Jewish Jammers 
No dates at this time
Gather together with Cantor Goldstein for an in-person, socially distanced jam session at NSCI! Bring your guitar, bass, harmonica, ukulele, or other instrument and a piece of music to play with the group (we'll provide the drums). *Masks must be worn at all times while inside the synagogue. This program is open to congregants and is only for musicians; there will be no audience. Please contact Sarah to register.

past Music Events

To view recordings of previous music events, visit our YouTube channel.

Meet our Staff

Alan Goodis is a national touring Jewish musician playing over 150 events a year. Born and raised in Toronto, Alan is a proud product of URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute. Noted for his dedication to building relationships and community through music, Alan travels throughout North America to serve as an artist-in-residence and performer at temples, youth conventions, and Jewish summer camps. Alan and his music have become a fixture at North Shore Congregation Israel and other congregations, URJ camps, and youth events from coast to coast. Alan lives in Chicago with his wife, Codi, and their dog Wally.

Christopher Powell is a Juilliard School–trained organist and serves as the Director of Sacred Music and the organist at the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown in Libertyville, IL. He is also North Shore Congregation Israel's new organist. Christopher studied organ performance with Grammy Award–winning organist Paul Jacobs. He has also performed in master classes and lessons with Alan Morrison, Ken Cowan, Wilma Jensen, Cameron Carpenter, and Stephen Roberts. Christopher is the recipient of silver and bronze medals in composition from the Global Music Awards competition. His work ranges from opera and chamber music to functional liturgical music. When not at the organ, Christopher enjoys painting, bike rides, and gigging with his wife, Demi, as house entertainers for Cellar 26 restaurant in Green Oaks, IL.

Gregory Shifrin is a world-renowned pianist and a graduate of the Jerusalem Academy of Music in Israel. He moved to Chicago in 2005. He is a collaborative pianist for Glenbrook South High School, New Trier High School, Music Institute of Chicago Chorale, the Unitarian Church of Evanston, and the Chicago Youth Choral Theater. Performing in a piano duo with Irina Kotlyar, they won the 7th Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition in Miami, Florida (1999) and the 1st International Two Piano Competition in Poland (1999), and they were among the three finalists of the 49th International competition of the ARD in Munich, Germany (2000). Gregory lives in Vernon Hills with his wife, Kira, and two sons, Itamar and Ariel.