Welcoming Shabbat (and Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah) with U'Vyom HaShabbat by the Zurich Synagogue Choir

Tonight we celebrate a grand finale to what has been almost a full month of holidays. With Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot in the rear view mirror, what's left is the holiday of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which is celebrated as a single day in Israel and two days in the diaspora.

This year the holiday falls on Shabbat, so there is an abundance of joy and an extra measure of dancing with the Torah, song, and feasting. We're starting the holiday by sharing a performance of U'Vyom HaShabbat by the Zurich Synagogue Choir.

The Zurich Synagogue Choir includes around two dozen singers under the direction of conductor Robert Braunschweig. The choir is supported by the Jewish Community of Zurich, Switzerland. They sing once a month at the Löwenstrasse synagogue during services on Shabbat morning and on the High Holidays. The choir also sings at interdenominational events and gives concerts at home and abroad.  

The choir in the Löwenstrasse Synagogue has existed – in various forms – for over 100 years. Its members have and live a wide variety of religious orientations. What they all have in common is the joy of singing in the cultural and religious environment of the unified community.

We'll be observing the two-day holiday tomorrow and Sunday, so the next Jewish Humor Central post will be on Monday, when we'll be back with our regular mix.

We wish you a Shabbat shalom and Chag Sameach!

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