About Cantor Sheldon Merel

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Writings about Cantor Sheldon Merel

-1987-
October 15, 1987 -- "Cantor Merel Honored," San Diego Jewish Times, p.23: At its annual convention in St. Louis in July, the membership of the American Conference of Cantors elected Cantor Sheldon Merel of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego to its Board of Directors. He will serve on this national board for the next three years as a West Coast representative of the Reform cantorate....

November 12, 1987 -- "Lori Wilinsky Frank Admitted to American Conference of Cantors," San Diego Jewish Times, p.17: Lori Wilinsky Frank, a cantorial soloist at Temple Adat Shalom in Poway since 1981, has been accepted as an associate cantor by the American Conference of Cantors. Associate membership in the organization is open to cantorial soloists who have served a congregation in a full-time capacity for at least five years. Cantor Frank began her application for associate membership in Mach 1987, under the sponsorship of Cantor Sheldon F. Merel of Temple Beth Israel in San Diego. Cantor Merel is a charter member of the American Conference of Cantors and a member of its National Board of Directors. "I recommended her," he explains, "not only because I recognized her serious commitment and her willingness to continue her studies in depth, even at great sacrifice. I also recognized her fine contribution to the congregation and to her community. She is a very talented singer and an exceptional person"....

December 10, 1987 -- "Cantor Merel To Be Honored," San Diego Jewish Times, p 35: Cantor Sheldon F. Merel will be the guest of honor at the JCC Music Committee's 17th Annual Banquet, to be held on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Beth Israel Social Hall at Third and Laurel in San Diego. The music committee's annual banquet honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural life of the Jewish community and the San Deigo community at large. Previous honorees have included conductor Peter Eros, music critic Jonathan Saville and the late Cantor Henri Goldberg. Cantor Merel was selected, explained a committee spokesperson, because of his "unique and vast contribution" in bringing Jewish music to San Diego, in bringing living Jewish composers as composers-in-residence to Temple Beth Israel, and in bringing ecumenical exchanges, the combining of choirs at Beth Israel and various community churches. "Through Jewish music," said the Beth Israel spokesman, "Cantor Merel has enriched the cultural life of San Diego."

-1988-
January 7, 1988 — "Cantor Sheldon Merel to Lecture on Jewish Music at Open Forum," San Diego Jewish Times, p. 31: Cantor Sheldon Merel of Temple Beth Israel will present a slide/ tape presentation entitled Jewish Music Around the World at the next meeting of the Open Forum, the American Jewish Committee's program for Jews from their 20s through their 40s. The program will be held on Thursday, jan. 7 at the home of Heidi and John Farkash in Rancho Santa Fe. The cost of the program is $3 for AJC members and $5 for non-members. A dessert reception will begin at 7 p.m. followed by the program at 7:30. Tenor Sheldon Merel currently serves as cantor at Congregation beth Israel. He has appeared as guest soloist with symphony orchestras in Toronto, Oakland and San Diego. Prior to becoming a member of the San Francisco Opera Guild's Talent Bank , he won first place among lyric tenors in the Chicago Tribune Music Festival competition....

-1999-
January 22, 1999—Donald H. Harrison, "'Greatest living Reform scholar' is weekend guest at Beth Israel," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage

-2005-

2005-08-25 Biographical sketch

Fall 2005— Seacrest Village Retirement Communities, Happenings: Senior Living in the Jewish Tradition, pages 6-7: It is through the generosity of our Donors that we are able to provide for the well-being of each of our residents. We appreciate your generosity. The following list represents all Donors to our many efforts beginning July 1, 2004 and ending June 30, 2005. These gifts have helped the Homes to provide the vital services needed for our residents.... Cantor and Mrs. Sheldon Merel...

December 2005—"Contributions," Tidings (Monthly newsletter of Congregation Beth Israel, San Diego), page 16: We appreciate the thoughtfulness of those who support our synagogue by remembering and honoring their friends and loved ones through their generous contributions to our synagogue's many funds. Contributions listed in this issue are those processed in our office through November 11, 2005. For information on how to make a contribution, call (858) 535-1111, Ext. 3500... Cantor Merel Music Fund—In appreciation: Of Cantor Merel by Jon and Bobbie Gilbert; Of the High Holy Days services by Beverly Hecker. In honor of: Bob Baum, with get well wishes from B'Lishem Chavurah; Ricki and Hal Block's anniversary by Janice and Jay Schuffman. In memory of: Norman Berg by Hannah Berg; Anna Kuntz by Rose Ruth and Dr. Seymour Kuntz; Esther Newman by Audrey Newman.... page 17-18: Yom Kippur Hunger Project Appeal contributions by...Marcie and Cantor Sheldon Merel....