Shabbat Melodies—A CD for the Synagogue
Rebekka Dohme’s CD is a Synagogue Fundraiser
Dewezet, December 17, 2009
By Wolfhard Truchsess
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Rebekka Dohme, cantor of the Jewish Congregation of Hamelin, which her mother, Rachel Dohme, leads, has recorded a CD of Shabbat melodies to raise money for the Hamelin Synagogue. Czech-born Petr Chrastina accompanies her on the piano. The synagogue is to be built for the city’s reform congregation, the Jewish Congregation of Hamelin. The building will stand in the Buerenstrasse, the site of the former synagogue. It will be the first newly constructed Reform synagogue in post-war Germany.
The CD showcases the young cantor’s warm and strong mezzo-soprano voice as she presents liturgical pieces from the Friday evening and Saturday morning services. Proceeds will flow directly to the Foundation, which has been formed to execute the building project. In Germany, the CD is selling for 15 Euros, in the US for $18.
The CD was recorded in Germany and New York, where Rebekka Dohme, a senior at Columbia University is pursuing a major in Neuroscience and Animal Behavior.
Rebekka explained, “We wanted to share the beauty of our services with others and help raise money for the building of our synagogue.” She has attended services at many synagogues in the U.S. but has never found a congregation quite like hers in Hamelin. “Our community is like a big family—warm, loving, and supportive. The community’s spirituality comes from the heart.” The CD is Rebekka’s way of supporting her congregation and doing her part to raise necessary funds.
The CD, which includes “Hatikva,” the Israeli national anthem, is being sold in German and U.S. Reform congregations as well as in Hamelin’s churches.
Shabbat Melodies is doing well and orders for 400 have been placed in the last two weeks, reports Rachel Dohme. German public radio stations have also expressed interest.