Sesquicentennial celebration begins at Beth Israel May 16

By Jewish Review

On May 16, Congregation Beth Israel will usher in a year of celebration, marking the 150th anniversary since the founding of the synagogue and the 80th year of worshiping in the historic Byzantine-style sanctuary in Northwest Portland.

A series of services, speakers and events to commemorate this historic milestone has been planned for 2008-09, beginning with the 150th Annual Meeting on Friday, May 16.

Kabbalat Shabbat services will be held that evening in the Temple at 8:15 p.m. and will feature the premiere of “Psalm 150,” an original musical piece by David Schiff, composed in honor of the congregation’s sesquicentennial.

“What better way to celebrate 150 years of Congregation Beth Israel than with the words of ‘Psalm 150: Hallelujah!’ Let everything that has breath praise God,” comments Schiff, a professor of music at Reed College.

“Many composers, including Igor Stravinsky and Duke Ellington, have set this psalm to music,” said Schiff. “To open our anniversary festivities I have composed a new work for cantor, choir and klezmer orchestra that features the legendary jazz clarinetist Marty Ehrlich; Marty regularly plays and prays at a’jazz shul’ in New York with other Jewish jazz musicians.”

The composition was commissioned for this occasion by Michael Powell in honor of the birthday of his wife, Alice Karlin Powell, and in celebration of CBI’s 150th Anniversary.

David and Lisa Sarasohn, serving as co-chairs of the 150th Planning Committee, are working with other Beth Israel members to plan many exciting events for the celebration year. Already scheduled are a cantorial concert, walking tours, art displays and high profile speakers, most notably Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who will be at Beth Israel on Sept. 13.

Details and information about individual events will be posted regularly on the Beth Israel Web site www.bethisrael-pdx.org. The community is invited to celebrate throughout the year.