Shabbat evening services with an upbeat twist

Shabbat Alive, a cheerful and upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat Service filled with joy, prayer and song, leads services periodically at a variety of Conservative and Reform synagogues in Greater New Haven. Shabbat Alive provides a different experience for congregants welcoming and receiving the Sabbath, re-energizing Shabbat evening services with a blend of lively traditional and contemporary musical settings, meditation, dancing and teaching, organizers said.
This month Shabbat Alive will be followed by a Shabbat Dinner at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Temple Emanuel, 150 Derby Ave., Orange and all are invited. The dinner costs $15.00 for adults and $7.00 for children. In addition to the traditional kosher chicken dinner, vegetarian options are available with advance notice. For dinner reservations and any questions about the menu, call Leona Kusmit at Temple Emanuel at 397-3000 or e-mail office@templeemanuel-gnh.org. Payment can be made using a credit card or personal check.
Shabbat Alive services are led by New Haven business attorney Isaiah Cooper, a member of Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel of New Haven, serving as teacher/leader;h well-known Clinton-based cantorial soloist, guitarist and songwriter Rick Calvert, of Temple Beth Tikvah of Madison serving as song leader; and Amity High School senior Jacob Zonderman, of Temple Emanuel, accompanying on a variety of hand drums and other percussion instruments.
All are welcome, there no need to be a member of Temple Emanuel to attend the service or the dinner. Contributions to Shabbat Alive can be sent to Isaiah Cooper c/o Cooper Law LLC, 205 Church Street, Suite 307, New Haven, 06510.