As long as I can remember, the magnificence of the choral sound has always added a great dimension to the music of the synagogue. With this in mind, I called up Paul Eisenhart, the dynamic director of the renowned Florida Philharmonic Chorus. The chorus was formed to provide choral support for the symphonic works performed by the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra. I invited him for lunch at Bimini Boatyard in Fort Lauderdale. When he arrived with his assistant, I presented him with a book containing the synagogue music that I chose for our next music festival. His name was imprinted on the cover in gold.
Paul Eisenhart examined the compositions in the book which spanned four centuries of musical creativity. The composers were Isadore Freed, Abraham Binder, Louis Lewandowski, Salomone Rossi, Reuven Kosakoff, William Sharlin, Joseph Kantor, Kenny Karen, Gershon Kingsley, and Ray Smolover.
I mentioned to Mr. Eisenhart that “Psalm 92 (Tov L’hodot)” by Salomone Rossi could be done in English rather than Hebrew.
“No,” the conductor said, “It should be done in Hebrew.” It was clear that Paul Eisenhart, the enthusiastic conductor, wanted to do as much music as possible in the original Hebrew.
“That psalm is also written in eight-part harmony. It should be quite a challenge,” I continued.
He closely examined the psalm, looked up to his assistant and exclaimed, “We have got to do it!”
In the weeks that followed, a tape and transliteration of the Hebrew text were made available to the group. We had a joint rehearsal at the temple a few days before the Sabbath eve presentation. Our academy and synagogue school children combined with our adult choir numbered 108 and, added to the philharmonic chorus of 150, we had a total of more than 250 singers for the Sabbath ahead. The sanctuary and bimah were so filled with people that it was almost impossible for several of the service participants to access the pulpit.
The musical excitement of the “Threefold Benediction” by Ray Smolover, a soul-stirring and concluding selection, lifted our spirits as a new sound was heard. On that evening, I could feel the joy and spiritual fulfillment that these beautiful selections brought.
