Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel is cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego.
His CDs, available on Amazon, include:
* Chants of a Lifetime
* Standing Ovation
Some of his songs that he likes to share with our readers include:
Adonai, Adonai October 21, 2008
Avinu Malkenu, October 15, 2008
Barchu-Shema-V’ah-havta February 3, 2009
David and Goliath, November 4, 2008
Eylu D’V0rim September 9, 2008
K’Aytz Shatul, November 18, 2008
Kiddush, Number 2 February 17, 2009
K’vkarat (following Una Taneh Tokef)
La Kol Z’man (Ben Steinberg), August 13, 2009
L’shanah habah b’reshulayim, April 7, 2009
Lighting the Candles,December 9, 2008
Rachel quand du seigneur, November 11, 2008
Search for Freedom, November 25, 2008
Shalom Rav (duet),March 10, 2009
The Love of Spike Malone, March 3, 2009
Une Taneh Tokef September 29, 2008
*
By Sheldon Foster Merel ENCINITAS, California — I just saw the movie The Green Book and was captivated watching the changing relationship between the two main characters and their encounter with blatant racism in their journey through the south during the 1960s. Black people in the south at that time were restricted from using the same […]
Movie Review: ‘The Green Book’ Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel ENCINITAS, California — Now that Chanukah is over, some people may still be wondering what it was all about. Here are four facts about Chanukah, of which you may have been unaware. 1-The first Chanukah was a delayed Sukkot. What about that? During the battle for religious freedom in the
Four little known facts about Chanukah Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel CARLSBAD, California — On my first visit to the New Village Arts Theatre for me last Sunday, I enjoyed a spritely performance of Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberley. Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon wrote this charming sequel to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. It is a delightful twist on Austin’s original
‘Pride and Prejudice’ sequel enchants in Carlsbad Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel ENCINITAS, California — You’re just in time for a Chanukah treat with the release of the new CD album, “The Festival of Lights.” It blends popular Chanukah Hebrew folk songs and Jamaican reggae musical styles with singers and an eclectic group of instruments: Horns , Piano, Percussion, Guitar, Saxophone, Trumpet,
Chanukah music in reggae style Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
By Sheldon Foster Merel ENCINITAS, California — Three years ago, Claire Weiner, a resident at Seacrest Village, decided to start a creative activity for women to use their hands, eyes, and brains. By chance, she met Arlene Schapnick , the Director of the North County Knitting Guild, and learned about its program to
Spinning yarns for Seacrest Village’s sukkah Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
By Sheldon Foster Merel ENCINITAS, California — BlacKkKlansman, Spike Lee ‘s recently released film, covers the early years of the Black Power Movement in the 1970s , and most importantly exposes the Klu KLux Klan’s insidious agenda of racism, and Anti-Semitism in America. BlacKkKlansman is based on the life of Ron Stallworth who served as
High marks for Spike Lee film probing Klan Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAClick here to hear Cantor Merel’s chanting of Kol Nidre By Cantor Sheldon Merel SAN DIEGO — On the evening of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day of the Jewish year, Jews around the world gather in their synagogues to hear the chanting of Kol Nidre (all vows) The ark is opened at the beginning
Kol Nidre is not a prayer Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
Story and photos by Sheldon F. Merel SAN DIEGO — Hadassah presented Dr. Luba Levin-Banchik , a visiting Israeli Professor at San Diego State University, at its third annual event on Sunday, July 26. After Prof. Levin-Banchik’s speech , we heard from two guests about why they are offering $10,000 in matching funds to
Hadassah hears of Gaza danger, Jerusalem life- saving Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Sheldon F. Merel ENCINITAS, California –I recently watched the documentary film Fattitude at the ArcLight Theatre in La Jolla. The film is by Lindsey Averill and Viridiana Lieberman, and sponsored by the Women’s Museum in San Diego. It is a graphic portrayal how fat people are ridiculed in our society. It exposes how pop
‘Fattitude’ tells the plight of heavy-body people Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
By Sheldon F. Merel ENCINITAS, California — You’re sitting around chatting with a group of friends, and someone says ,” I just bought a new Honda.” Quick as a flash….another person immediately chimes in , “ Well, my friend bought a Cadillac.!”, OR , at another time, a person says, “My cousin went to Miami,….”
Wanted: Better listeners, who don’t interrupt! Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Travel and FoodBy Cantor Sheldon Merel CORONADO, California — Last night I was at an Irish Pub in Dublin, (although in the heart of Coronado.). “Come early before show time to catch the music and have a drink at the bar,” the woman at the Box Office advised. So, after dinner, sure enough , as my friend
‘Once’ every so often, a show as good as this Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Congregation Beth Israel closed out the celebration of its sesquicentennial year with a nostalgic concert by Mandy Patinkin on Saturday evening, November 17, at Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall. Patinkin, who has had starring roles on Broadway, in movies and in television series, took the Qualcomm stage following
Patinkin concert caps Beth Israel sesquicentennial Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego CountyBy Cantor Sheldon F. Merel LA JOLLA, California–Jewish Choral Music is alive and well at the Jewish Community Center. It was truly a “ Sing Out” on Sunday Afternoon, April 3rd at the JCC featuring two separate choral concerts from several local congregations plus independent choral groups. It was a showcase of San Diego Jewish choirs
Jewish choirs’ ‘Sing Out’ was OUTstanding Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts