Miami Beach: From Synagogue to Church

I spent the morning rehearsing the music for high holidays at the Temple Beth Shalom in Miami Beach. It’s a gig I’ve done and enjoyed for the past three years. Having grown up Christian much of the music was far from familiar to me the first year, but I have found it very fulfilling to participate in such a beautiful series of services each year. It’s fascinating to see the blending of traditions and modern influences in the music and to grow more familiar with the ancient songs every year.

If only I could have left rehearsal and gone straight to the catholic wedding I would be playing later that day. As it would turn out I was scheduled to perform not more than 5 blocks away at St. Patrick’s. It would have been nice to spend the afternoon in Miami Beach killing time until the wedding but instead I scheduled a lesson at home in between. So I rushed home to teach before driving back to Miami Beach to play the beautiful Spanish ceremony.