A wonderful "happening" takes place on the first Friday of the month at Temple Micah's Kabbalat Shabbat service throughout the school year: Temple Micah's terrific Youth Choir helps lead the congregation in prayer and song. Some 18 singers from grades two, three and four lift their voices and create a beautiful sound that is inspiring in its youthful beauty.

Each month, the group helps lead the singing in the galleria, greets worshippers as they enter the sanctuary, joins the congregation in prayer, and presents a "special" song. The song is always fun and topical, depending on the time of year. Last month, we sang and danced an unforgettable rock-and-roll song about Nachshon, the first brave soul to cross the Red Sea on the way to freedom from Egypt. We began the season last fall by singing Rabbi Steve Reuben's "Sing Along Song" to mark Rosh Hashanah. Last December, we sang Flory Jagoda's "Una Kandelika," a song in Ladino about celebrating Hanukkah.

After the service, the choir members and their families gather in the social hall for a festive Shabbat dinner. This is a marvelous opportunity for families to get to know each other and enjoy a leisurely meal. We recite the blessings over the wine and challah and have a dinner provided by Chicken Out. We have recently developed a precious custom: after dinner, choir members serenade their parents by singing some eight or 10 of our favorite songs.

Membership in the Youth Choir is as simple as can be. All students in grades two through four are automatically in the group--no audition is required. We rehearse every Sunday during religious school.

I encourage all students in the choir to join us for both the service and the dinner for the last two of these special services this year, on May 5 and June 2. I encourage the entire Temple Micah community to attend these joyful services filled with the indescribably delicious sounds of our Youth Choir.