Welcoming Shabbat with Anim Zemirot by the UK Shabbaton Choir

London's Shabbaton Choir first took to the stage in 1986 as the B’nai Brith Festival Singers. It was formed by a young and talented musician, Stephen Glass, who sought a modern alternative to traditional choral music and composed new arrangements that brought out the mood and meaning of the prayers. 

In 1989 Lionel Rosenfeld, who had returned from Jerusalem to become Chazan of Marble Arch Synagogue, was introduced to Stephen Glass by Chazan Naftali Herstik. Lionel & Stephen found that they shared a common interest in developing innovative Friday night and Shabbat morning choral services, so that prayers that too often were said and sung as if by rote could be given new life. 

And so after six months of composing and rehearsing, the renamed Shabbaton Choir under Stephen Glass held its first ever Choral Shabbaton in April 1990 with Chazan Rosenfeld, at the Marble Arch Synagogue. Stephen & Lionel then continued to compose new music for Choral Selichot services.

Lionel has been joined over the years by Chazanim Steve Robins, Robert Brody, Shimon Craimer, Steven Leas, Jonathan Murgraff and, for the past thirteen years, by Jonny Turgel. Every year until his retirement, Chief Rabbi Sacks would set the mood with an inspirational address before the Service.

 

Anim Z'mirot is the Shabbaton Choir's newest album and was released in January 2016 to mark its 25th Anniversary. The title track, written by Musical Director Stephen Levey, features the Shabbaton Choir singing with children from Hertsmere Jewish Primary School as well as Chazanim Shimon Craimer, Lionel Rosenfeld and Jonny Turgel. It was recorded on Sunday 10 May 2015 at JCoSS in London.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom! 

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