Stephen Wise Free Synagogue has a rich history of integrating music into all aspects of our synagogue life.
There are many ways to get involved musically at Stephen Wise — from our Musical Mitzvah choir group to chanting during services to participating in our legendary annual Purim spiel.
Upcoming Musical Programs and Events
Dreidels and Donuts 🍩
Musical Mitzvah
Members and non-members alike are invited to join us as we take our music to the streets, visiting the sick and the elderly. We sing a large number of old popular favorites that inspire our audiences to participate in singing, clapping, and even dancing! This includes Yiddish classics like “My Yiddishe Mama” and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” (in Yiddish) to memorable secular hits like “Heart of My Heart” and “Swanee”. During our holiday visits after the High Holy Days and around Chanukah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot, we spice up our performances with participatory Jewish melodies and medleys related to relevant holiday music.
Choristers and soloists of all levels of ability are welcome. No Hebrew knowledge or musical background is required! For the Musical Mitzvah tour, it is the power of your enthusiasm, smile, and joyful spirit that matter.
If you are interested in joining us for rehearsals or performances, please contact Cantor Dan Singer at dsinger@swfs.org or 212-877-4050, ext. 237.
Purim Spiels
For more than 30 years, the annual purim spiel has been one of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s most popular traditions. It features congregants of all ages and levels of talent.
Interested in joining our Purim spiel? Or maybe you want to help out behind the scenes… Contact Rabbi Samantha Natov at purim@swfs.org or at (212) 877-4050, ext. 244.
Chanters
We welcome our congregants to participate in our Shabbat, High Holy Days, and festival readings as lay chanters or ba’alei koreh, masters of chanting.
If you are interested in improving your Hebrew reading and chanting skills through group or individual tutorial, or if you are interested in becoming a regular participant in the chanting of Torah, Haftarah, and Megillah readings throughout the year as a ba’al koreh, please contact Cantor Dan Singer at dsinger@swfs.org or (212) 877-4050, ext. 237.
Other Opportunities
Besides our participatory and musical prayer services, we enjoy a wide variety of performances throughout the year for our holidays and other special occasions. Check out our calendar for upcoming events.
