Families and friends fill the sanctuary on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, and Friday night Shabbats. While the words in our prayer books strike a chord that resonates with the past, our Rabbi’s sermons challenge us to think about the future. And the joyful, sometimes plaintive, sounds of music and song rivet us to the present.
During many of our holiday services, we are blessed to hear our talented resident musicians play beautiful music. It is a wonderful surprise for a temple our size! TBT’s music director, Julie Geveshausen, is also an accomplished pianist and harpist. Accompanied by Jo Booser, an incredible violinist, they add texture and dimension to every worship experience. (And Jo so beautifully blows the shofar during High Holy Days… what a joy!)
Samantha Winter a classically-trained, Jewish soprano is our cantorial soloist. From time to time, we also engage Jewish song leaders from the Pacific Northwest to join us for Shabbat Services and holidays. And occasionally, gifted guest musicians grace the sanctuary stage, including mother and daughter cellists, Janet Gesme and Zeta Gesme.
Although we have no permanent home to call our own, we do not wander. We hold worship services in a welcoming sanctuary at the First Presbyterian Church. Our ark of black walnut, designed by TBT member and architect Lawrence Schechter, adorns the dais and houses two beautiful old Torah scrolls inside.
Our Rabbi, congregants, musicians and singers step into and back from the liturgical flow. Culminating in memorable services embedded in our collective hearts and minds. While the act of prayer is a personal journey, worshipping together strengthens our ties to community.