Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z”l

Cantor Sheldon Merel

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:

Adon Olam

Adon Olam, Jazz Version

Adonai, Adonai   October 21, 2008

Ahavat Olam January 20, 2009

Avinu Malkenu, October 15, 2008

Barchu-Shema-V’ah-havta  February 3, 2009

David and Goliath, November 4, 2008

Dayenu  March 31, 2009

Eylu D’V0rim  September 9, 2008

Hashkiveynu

K’Aytz Shatul, November 18, 2008

Kiddush, Number 1

Kiddush, Number 2   February 17, 2009

Kol Nidre, October 7, 2008

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

Los Biblicos

Meeskite, September 23, 2008

Noches-Noches

O Chanukah, O Chanukah

Rachel quand du seigneur, November 11, 2008

Search for Freedom, November 25, 2008

Shalom Rav by Ben Steinberg

Shalom Rav (duet),March 10, 2009

The Love of Spike Malone,  March 3, 2009

The Passover Story

The Prophecy of Elijah 

Une Taneh Tokef  September 29, 2008

*

LFJCC Will Present 13 Songs by the Late Cantor Sheldon Merel

Hebrew liturgical works by 20th century composers will include, “Hashkiveynu,” and “Avinu Malkenu,” by Max Janowski, “La Kol Z’man,” and “Shalom Rav,” by Ben Steinberg, “Kiddush,” by Kurt Weill, “L’Shana Haba B’Yerushalayim,” by Morton Gold and a setting of the “Kol Nidre,” by Max Helfman.  [Eileen Wingard]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Caste: A Mind-Opening Book

I just made a contribution to the NAACP after being mesmerized listening to the audible edition of Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Perhaps my contribution is a guilt offering. No matter, it is never too late to step up to the plate and take a swing against profound racial injustice in our country. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l

North Coast Rep revives ‘Same Time Next Year’ on Zoom

Same Next Time Next Year was new and fresh although I saw the film years ago. George (Bruce Turk) and Doris (Katie MacNichol) had me laughing and smiling throughout the show at the North Coast Repertory Theatre. They are a perfect match in Bernard Slade’s heartwarming play loaded with very clever and funny dialogue. David Ellenstein’s direction kept me completely engaged. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l

Three Jewish women in competitive local races

Three Jewish women are in highly competitive races for spots in Congress, Mayor of San Diego, and the County Board of Supervisors. Respectively, they are are Sara Jacobs (53rd Congressional District); City Councilwoman Barbara Bry (Mayor of San Diego), and Terra Lawson-Remer (3rd District County Board of Supervisors. Here’s a look at the recent news being made by them and their opponents, respectively Georgette Gomez, Todd Gloria, and Kristin Gaspar. [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County”]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Dorian de Wind, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass in Civil War debate

A brilliant script by Richard Hellersen brought Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass back to life face-to-face on my computer careen.  I felt like a fly on the wall (better than a front row seat) watching  two brilliant portrayals by Hawthorne James as Douglass, and Ray Chambers as Lincoln in heated conversations actually documented by playwright Hellersen from meetings and correspondence between these two iconic and historic figures. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Black veterans denied rights of G.I. Bill of Rights

I recently heard PBS television host, Christiane Amanpour remark (really a question) to her guest, “I thought Black veterans of World War II did not receive benefits of the G.I. Bill of Rights.” Her statement passed without further comment, but not for me. As a veteran of WW II, I am familiar with the G.I. Bill of Rights and knew she was not technically correct. However, at this very moment thousands of protestors, Black and White, are marching on our city streets demanding an end to police brutality against Black men and women. With Amanpour’s remark burning in my mind and hearing those voices in the streets, I had to check what really happened to Black veterans 75 years ago. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Paul Robeson sang in Yiddish

I still remember the rich bass baritone voice of  Paul Robeson singing  “Old Man River” in the 1936 movie Show Boat. That was his song and I thought no one else could match his performance. By chance someone just sent me a link to a recording by Robeson in Yiddish. This is a new one, for me. I further learned he had   recorded several Yiddish songs and often included them in his concerts. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Sounding Alarms Through the Centuries

Most of us have been glued to our television sets watching protesters marching on our streets and around the world. They are  responding to the murder of George Floyd.  In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Riots are the language of the unheard.” [Vocal and story by Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘Children of Windermere’ a riveting dramatization

The BBC film Children of Wandermere is a heart- rending and at the same time heart-warming film of the incredible rescue mission of 300 children from ages 3 to 16 who survived the death camps of Germany in 1945. The first group of youngsters was flown for eight hours seated on the floor of a converted RAF bomber. They only had the clothes on their backs and some meager possessions. Until the Red Cross provided clothes, all the children went around in their underwear. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Surveying the passing scene

Let me start off with a kind offer from Sandy Scheller of Chula Vista who volunteers to sew cloth face masks at no charge like the one she is wearing at the right for people who contact her via her email. When she lived in Las Vegas, Sandy had a business called “Kosher Couture.” Those who take her up on her kind offer will have to arrange to pick up the masks.  Scheller also is the organizer of the year-long Project RUTH — Remember Us The Holocaust exhibit which is now shuttered, along with everything else, at the main branch of the Chula Vista Public Library.  So, sewing masks gives her desire to serve the community another beneficial outlet. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Jewish Federation monitoring CDC’s meetings advice

The Jewish Federation of San Diego County “at this time” does not plan to cancel any of its meetings or events in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “However,” assured Michael Jeser, its CEO and president, “should the situation warrant, we will inform participants immediately if another decision is made.” [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Travel and Food, USA

Seacrest Village takes coronavirus precautions

As a resident at Seacrest Village I am impressed how well management is educating and protecting the health of residents and staff from the Coronavirus. At a recent Town Hall meeting for residents, Carl Miser, Operations Officer, explained the rules and guidelines for residents to protect themselves from the virus. A follow up letter from Pam Ferris, CEO of Seacrest Village, was then placed in every resident’s apartment. Seacrest Village also has an in-house television station that streams continuing information to every resident. Special emphasis was placed on washing one’s hands for twenty seconds often, and avoiding shaking hands with others. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

‘The Outsider’ leaves audiences laughing

The brilliant script of The Outsider by Paul Slade Smith and deft direction by David Ellenstein with his amazing cast gave North Coast Rep audience a smart and really funny performance. Although written years ago, Smith’s script is still a contemporary and sharp satire on our political circus. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast