Shirat Ha-am ("Song of the People")
The Bet Am Shalom choir takes its name from "Shirat Ha-Yam", the "Song of the Sea" in the Book of Exodus. The choir is conducted by Cantor Schiller and  annually presents a musical "D'rasha" as part of a regular Shabbat Service. They also perform during the High Holy Day services. To be part of the group, contact betamshalom [at] betamshalom [dot] org?subject=Shirat%20Ha'am">Cantor Schiller.

Theater

The Bet Am Shalom Theater Project has done a variety of shows utilizing the many talents of our members:

Jacques Brel is alive and well and living in Paris (2003)

Deja Vu (2009)-- an original play in two acts written by congregant Vincent Park with original music by Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller and Richard Woodrow. There was a cast of 32 players and musicians, with 15 or more technical hands.

Teen Theater - the "Bet Amateurs"

Theater, by, for and with teens – Since 2001 Bet Am Shalom teenagers, with the enthusiastic assistance of many BAS families, have written, produced, directed and started in numerous theater productions. The shows range from original scripts, like the comedies Talmudic Vaudeville, Samsonator and Shtick, to serious drama, Spoon River Anthology and includes musicals like Little Shop of Horrors, the Wizard of Oz and Cinderella (photos below).

The teens have donated the proceeds from their shows to a variety of charities (over $7000!). 

Purimspiel

Purimspiels have long been a tradition at Bet Am Shalom. Congregants write, produce and perform a satirical musical comedy during breaks from the reading of the megillah.

Community Quilt is a magnificent wall hanging (measuring 5' x 8') that congregants crafted to commemorate Bet Am Shalom's 50th anniversary and celebrate the dedication of the new sanctuary in 2006. Under the expert artistic guidance of Caren Sacks, master quilter, David Fine, graphic designer, and Suzi Eisman, committee chair, a quilt was designed and created with the theme of "Mah Tovu" (how lovely are your tents, O Jacob...). More than 80 families created their own squares with personal messages that were incorporated into the overall design. The quilt was presented to the community on June 14, 2010 and now hangs on the wall to the right of the Simcha Room for all to enjoy.

Musical Performances

On occasions or at community celebrations, the congregation's musicians share their talents with us. One such group, the "Moody Jews" are pictured
here-- 

Selected Jewish Shorts

Several times each year, members read aloud in English short stories by Jewish writers. Ranging from drama to comedy to fantasy, the stories are drawn from a rich heritage, including Yiddish, American Jewish, and Israeli writers old and new.
 

Writers Chug (workshop for writers)

Members of the Bet Am Shalom writers group present their short stories usually in May and June. Click on the title in the attachments below to read some examples of past original works.