Temple fest goes all a cappella:

Temple Sinai continues Pesach music tradition

By Susie Davidson

Special to the Advocate

Every year at this time, the sanctuary at Temple Sinai in Brookline is filled with both people and song. A grand tradition for over 60 years, the Passover Music Festival has featured many types of musical settings.

“We've hosted Klezmer groups, choruses, pianists and chamber musicians, and, last year, a gospel jazz group,” said producer and Sinai member Cathy Cotton. There is always a Jewish theme; for example, at one show, two vocalists sang Broadway tunes by Jewish composers. And last year, the synagogue found a very vocal way to celebrate when Boston University’s Kol Echad joined the bill. It was, in fact, the first time the synagogue had hosted an a cappella group, and it went over so well they will return for this year’s April 29 fest, along with Brandeis University’s VoiceMale and Tufts’ Shir Appeal ensembles. A brief Friday night service will begin the evening at 7:30, followed by the performances. All are invited to the free event, which will also include a “Gala Oneg Shabbat” coffee and dessert reception.

Cotton said that this year, the event is occurring after the holiday because the Friday night of Passover coincided with public school vacation week. She said a cappella (which is Italian for “in the manner of the church” or “chapel,” signifying solo or group singing without instrumentation), is very much in vogue, and speculated that the popularity of the television series “Glee” could be a factor. She doesn’t know what the groups will be singing - “Acafests are typically less structured, with no formal program,” she said, noting that Kol Echad and Shir Appeal both perform selections that are intrinsically Jewish.

The singers don’t necessarily know the score as yet either. “Music director Daniel Wolf usually takes a week or two to decide the set, based on what songs are sounding the best and what ones we're ready to debut,” said Shir Appeal President and member Cynthia Brunelle. So anything will go, it seems, adding to the fun. Brunelle, who will graduate in May as a double-major in Clinical Psychology and Spanish, said that members of the current group are into　mathematics, sociology, urban planning and classics - but none are music majors. “What we do we do out of love and personal interest, not for academic credit,” she said, while adding that members who have had musical education　courses do become musical leaders of the group. “They help to arrange songs, teach parts, and check that the group's tone and pitch are correct,” she said. Brunelle will have a solo, if they perform the song Kama Peamim (“How Many Times?”) by Shiri Maimon. Brunelle explained that in the song, the singer asks how many times she has to fail before she　succeeds　in finding love. A universal refrain?

VoiceMale has also won awards that have included WERS FM’s A Cappella Live championship. The all-male group travels nationally, performing rock, pop, R&B and oldies. Their comedy-infused set ranges from Stevie Wonder, to Billy Joel, to OneRepublic, to Lady Gaga. The group, founded in 1994, will release a new studio project this spring.

Kol Echad (“One Voice”)　is known for its unique versions of traditional Hebrew and contemporary Israeli melodies which range in style from traditional to rock.　The group performs throughout the Northeast region.

There is an intrinsic silliness to the genre, and even some harmless hazing. Brunelle tried out for the group a week or so into her freshman year, after seeing it perform. “When I was accepted, as is tradition, I was dragged out of my bed at 4 a.m., introduced to the current and other new members, and taught secret songs,” she said. 　During her sophomore year, she was elected business manager. In her senior year, she became President. “In this way, I have been an active part of both shaping and being shaped by the group, both in terms of leadership qualities, business sense, bookkeeping skills and musical ability,” she said. They practice seven hours a week and perform most weekends. “We also spend a lot of time together, arranging music, planning events, and debating our role in the music and collegiate scene,” said Brunelle. Once a year, they travel to New York to perform in a Jewish music festival with a cappella groups from around the country. They also have a winter tour, usually in a warm climate.

“What I find particularly special about this Festival and Temple Sinai is that it invites the entire community into its home,” said Sinai member and event publicist Mara Littman, who is also Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the Cambridge Arts Council and previously handled marketing for Boston Lyric Opera. “Just like we leave a seat at the table open at Passover, this event opens its doors to the entire community,” she said. “The choice of a cappella music, with its mix of traditional Jewish songs and pop hits, reinforces that message because it truly appeals to all generations,” she said, expressing a certainty that people will be dancing in the aisles.

“We're very much looking forward to this upcoming event,” said Brunelle, who said she enjoys both singing with her friends and also seeing the audience return the group’s exuberance. “That's why we stay after the performance, to talk with the people who we make smile,” she said.

Oh yes, the desserts will be non-Pesadich, according to Cotton. “I think most people are pretty tired of macaroons once Passover ends,” she said with a smile.

“Passover ACAFEST 2011” will be held on Friday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m., featuring a capella music from Brandeis, Tufts and Boston University.

Temple Sinai is located at 50 Sewall Avenue (enter at Charles Street), just steps away from the Coolidge Corner MBTA stop in Brookline. Please visit

www.sinaibrookline.org or call 617-277-5888 for more information.