Simchas Torah in Waco

Yes Virginia, there are indeed Jews in Waco Texas.

Have been for a mighty long time in fact. Nicest people you'll ever meet as it turns out. I got a call from Mike Levine, the shammes of Temple Rodef Shalom, asking if I could come help celebrate Simchas Torah with his congregation and their relatively new Rabbi. Rebbe Rovi Motem holds the distinction of being the first Reform rabbi ordained in Israel, and he's doing his level best to expose his congregation to every aspect of Jewish religious expression. There was in fact a time you wouldn't have thought twice about hiring a band for any of the important holidays. Now, it's as rare a hens teeth (or a kosher BBQ in Williamson County.)


Here the torahs come down off the bimah. Note the amazing "A frame" design. It was a amazing building in fact.

Mark Rubin and his Jews of the Golden West. Olliver Steck, accordion, Mike Stinnet, clarinet and Steve Schwelling on poik (the traditional drum.) We played as the congregation carried the torahs around us, stopping seven times for particular blessings.

After a motzi and a brucha, a bissl nosh, fun di Tabl music provided.

Well here's a surprise!! This is my sainted Godmother, who travelled all the way from Stillwater OK to see the show, (and her great grand kids too...)

Work like this is very rewarding for me, to perform Jewish music within the context that it was originally intended. We'll come do it for your congregation too. Just drop me a line and we'll work out the details.