Our temple’s choir has had many starts and stops over the years, but music has always been unimportant element in the fabric of our religious worship. The current choir seems to have stuck. Actually, it is now in its 23rdyear. Again, Bob Grossmann has also been involved with the choir for all of those years and he was kind enough to tell the story.

"When my wife Judy, and I joined the temple inspiring, 1985, the only music was the beautiful melodies chanted by Cantor Michael Anatole during the worship services on Friday evenings, Saturdays when there was a Bar or Bat Mitzvah service, and during the High Holidays. Judy and had been involved with the choir at our temple in the east. We wondered if a choir could also become a part of worship services here at Temple Adat Elohim. There had been several attempts previously, but it hadn’t worked out. During a visit to Rabbi Greenbaum’s house, while singing songs on the floor of their living room, the subject of a choir was mentioned and the rabbi thought that it would be wonderful if a choir would also participate during services. The question was, how to get interested people involved and who would direct and teach the choir. The matter was then put aside for the time being.

Before the Rosh Hashanah services in 1986 being held at the Mormon Stake Center in Newbury Park, Bob asked Rabbi Greenbaum whether it would be possible to have a few people sing some familiar Jewish songs while the torahs were being marched around the sanctuary and the Rabbi agreed. This was the very start of the TAE. Adult Choir, Judy and Bob as well as Gerri Wissot.

Somehow, money was found, Cantor Anatole welcomed the idea and the music specialist who was working with the school children took over as our first music director. Rehearsals were weekly, and the choir participated at monthly Friday Shabbat services as well as at one of the High Holiday services. The initial musical pieces were simple, familiar melodies sung accompanied by a piano or guitar, and participation by the congregation was encouraged.

As time progressed, the music that the choir sang became more complex, with four part harmony and acappella pieces being introduced. The choir slowly increased in size to over 20people. Rehearsals were held weekly for an hour and a half, and for High Holiday rehearsal, twice a week for 2 hours each. In 1997, David Shukiar became our choir director and in addition to teaching us and conducting, he also arranged some choral pieces for us to sing. Light blue robes were acquired and were worn for both Friday Shabbat services and for the High Holiday Services. The choir participated in our temple’s Music Festival at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center fund raiser. During the Chanukah holidays in 1998, the choir went to the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills to sing appropriate songs of the season to the senior citizen residents. For many years, the members of the Choir have participated in the Conejo Valley Ecumenical Services at Thanksgiving time, along with members of the choruses of several local churches.

When Cantor Peter Halpern started in 1998, he brought to the choir more of the traditional music as well as a piece that he wrote, a rendition of V’Shamru. With the growth of our congregation, two separate holiday services were necessary to service the needs of all of our families. The choir was asked to participate at both of these services with the clergy. We hope that the choir added to the spirituality of these holy days. Under Cantor Halpern, the Band of Milk and Honey was started with congregants as the musicians. The choir and the band both participated during the Friday Shabbat Services and the congregation truly appreciated their efforts. Two years ago, David Shukiar rejoined us to lead our congregation as our cantor. Theban has now joined the choir for the High Holiday Services for the past two years. Cantor Shukiar has also started a junior choir, Shirei Elohim, for our school children.

Our present choir director is Dr. Raymond Egan, with a background as a composer, arranger and conductor. Under Dr. Egan’s tutelage, the choir is now adding to their varied repertory of choral music, and mastering musical pieces written and arranged by Cantor Shukiar as well as many of the significant Jewish choral music composers. In 2007, the choir had their first retreat where we brought all of our talents, energies and enthusiasm to develop a greater sense of self. One of the results was our Music Blessing:

Bless our music family

Which encourages and supports glorious harmony,

Loving and caring community, And a mutual blend of hearts and voices

In our sacred task of spiritually elevating

Our community through music.