This journal honors the talented musicians of Congregation Tehillah Ruach Band

2. Sarah
Banks
Rose and
Meir Beer
Nancy
Dunetz
Farnoush
Safavi
Daniel
Wolf Savin
Honoring our Gifted Musicians

3. Sarah Banks

4. I have been playing violin since I was eight years old. I owe this fact to a small, energetic
woman named Lulu Pilsen, who ran the string program in the public schools in my home
town and decided that every third grader should play the violin. It was a one-year
experiment; I imagine she received many letters of complaint from the parents, siblings,
neighbors, and pets who had to listen to all of us third graders squeaking away, but she did
give the program a pulse of life. She also gave me a lifelong passion.
After studying classical music for many years, I got introduced to folk music and fell in
love with it. New England contra dance tunes, then Irish and Scottish airs, jigs, and reels
offered a feast of melody and rhythm. I even joined a team of Morris Dancers when I was
in college, strapping racks of bells to my shins and jumping around waving two white
handkerchiefs in the air. (Dancing up the sun on May 1 is an important ritual for Morris
Dancers; keep your eyes peeled in local parks!)

5. I vividly remember the first time I played with Rose and Meir. They had gathered a
few songs—prayers and klezmer pieces—for us to try together. Right after we played,
I got in the car to drive to the Catskills with Howie, and my head was ringing with the
music. I was so excited to get another chance to play with them, bathing in Rose’s deep
knowledge of the tunes and delighting in Meir’s catchy percussion and singing. That
chance came with Bernie’s bar mitzvah, and then we made it happen for special
holidays and services. Thanks to Daniel’s initiative and Nancy and Farnoush’s
energetic playing, we now have a band! I enjoy playing with Ruach Tehillah so much
because of the joy and depth of the music we make together.

6. Rose and Meir
Beer

7. Rose was born and grew up in the southeast Bronx, where she went to James
Monroe High School, then, to Lehman college and after graduation, Rose started
to work for New York City.
Rose’s multi language skills of English, some Spanish and of some German were
always a great asset to her work and music.
Rose started playing the piano when she was 10 years old, playing at her cousin’s
house. As soon as she arrived, she would run to the piano, and would stay there
until her aunt called the kids for milk cookies! That was the only time Rose would
leave the piano. Rose started taking lessons for a few years, and learned to read
music, however, Rose always had the ability to play by ear.

8. In junior high school, Rose met a friend who played accordion and her friend always
wanted to play piano, and Rose always wanted to play accordion so they would change
instruments. Rose taught herself how to play accordion and it became her second
instrument. Subsequently, Rose became the accordionist for Fred Burke at the 92nd Y,
playing for Israeli dancers for three years.
Rose is first generation American. Rose’s parents came from Austria - Austro Hungarian
border and they were still in Europe when the war broke out in 1939. When Hitler took
over Austria, Rose’s father and mother were able to get to England through a program.
Rose’s mother became a cook for a British family, and they were in England for about a
year. Unfortunately, Rose’s mother's entire family was lost in the Holocaust, but Rose’s
father’s family was able to survive settle with in the northeast France. Later, they came
to the US and settled in the Bronx. Rose’s aunt lived in the Bronx and her father wanted
to be near his sister, so they moved to the Bronx and that's how Rose was born in the
Bronx!

9. When Rose and Meir were only 15 years old, Meir and Rose met in the
neighborhood in southeast Bronx. Meir had a friend who was in the southeast
Bronx, 4-5 blocks from Rose’s family house and they had friends in common who
occasionally had parties when they all got together. It was meant to be.
Meir was born in a suburb of Tel Aviv, Israel and when Meir was 12 years old his
uncle and aunt who lived in the United States prevailed upon him to come to the
US. Meir’s father had a tough time because he spent five years as a prisoner of war
and when his farther came to Israel, he had to spend a year in the Israeli army, so
he was tired of war and military life, therefore his father decided to move to
America.

10. Meir’s mother's family was from Romania, his grandmother’s family moved to Israel
in 1935 and his father was from Czechoslovakia. His father came through the
underground railroad, wound up in Palestine and he worked in a bakery. When his
father walked to work, he used to pass the house of his mother and Meir’s mother
made sure that she was right there in front of him! And that’s how they met!
From the Middle East to the to the southeast of the Bronx, Meir came to the Bronx
in 1954 and never left. Meir attended high school and then went to Bronx
Community College for evening session courses, consequently giving me the
opportunity to work mostly in the back office of a trading company.
Music is something that Meir has always loved, much like Rose. Meir learned that he
could drum and could sing the prayers. Meir found that Rose could sing and learned
the music notes and they shared the common passion of music.

11. Meir and Rose together play in a Klezmer band in Great Neck, at the home of a
friend, who hosts Rose and Meir with fellow Klezmer music friends.
As many know, Rose and Meir also taught folk dancing until the beginning of the
pandemic. They taught international folk dancing for many years and folk-dance
performing groups; they together performed around the world and have brought
great joy to so many people with their music and dance!

12. Nancy S. Dunetz

13. “Ever since I can remember, our home was filled with music, whether I was listening to
Jascha Heifetz on the radio with my grandmother, Burl Ives records on the wind-up
victrola with my father, my sister practicing the piano, or playing duets with my mother.
After college I joined the Peace Corps and took my violin to the Philippines, where I
played at church services and fiestas when I wasn’t teaching English or schmoozing in
the town plaza.
Upon my return I took my masters and doctorate in language education and spent a
glorious career teaching English as a second language in the NYC public schools. On a
parallel track, I switched to viola and discovered the joys of chamber music, which I
have pursued for 50 years. In 2014 I went to Lithuania to study Yiddish for a summer
and there I began playing klezmer music, continuing with the Columbia University
Klezmer Band in New York. I came to Tehillah when my sister passed away two years
ago and was welcomed into the community by Rabbi Linda, who paved the way for me
to join Rose playing for Shabbos services and eventually becoming Ruach Tehillah.”

14. Farnoush
Safavi

15. Farnoush has been attending Tehillah services since 2017, she became a member of the
congregation Tehillah in 2018. She was drawn to Tehillah due to thoughtful, inclusive
services and a supportive and caring community.
Farnoush is a physician by training, and currently a global medical director in a biotech
company. She has dedicated her career to oncology research and development to deliver
innovative novel therapies to improve the lives of cancer patients. Farnoush has been a
Tehillah board member since 2020.
Farnoush began playing the hand drum at the age 5 and continued to improve her
percussion skills by taking classes and attending women’s drumming circles after she
finished her medical training. Farnoush has been playing percussion for the shabbat
services for many years at Tehillah and she joined the Ruach Tehillah Band in 2023.
Farnoush lives in Manhattan, she has a daughter and is committed to women’s and
LGBT equality. She enjoys hiking, photography, and of course drumming.

16. Daniel Wolf Savin

17. When not studying the music of the spheres, Daniel Wolf Savin spends his time
playing the double bass in various music venues. He has played in Carnegie Hall
multiple times and finds that the easiest way to get there is to take the subway. Daniel
has found his spiritual home in the Jewish Renewal movement; and after he and his wife
moved to Riverdale, he naturally gravitated to Congregation Tehillah.

18. Your beautiful music has truly enriched our spiritual experience, making each
gathering a cherished and unforgettable moment.
With heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation
Rose & Meir Beer
& The Ruach Tehillah Band:
Sarah Banks Nancy Dunetz Farnoush Safavi Daniel Savin
Your loving “fans”
Kathy and Marc

19. To Rose, Meir, Nancy, Sarah,
Daniel and Farnoush:
Thank you for enriching Tehillah’s services
and our lives with your beautiful music.
Danny and Laura

20. The Reich Family, Nick, Elizabeth, Natasha and
Julian want to express our deep appreciation and
love
of the music at Tehillah.
We cherish the contributions musically and spiritually
of Rose and Meir, and the musicians of the Tehillah
Ruach band, Sarah, Farnoush, Nancy and Daniel.

21. Dearest Rose and Meir:
Thank you for all you have brought
and continue to bring to the
Tehillah community.
We are so grateful for you.
With love,
Beth Maris and Howard,
Abi and Sarah Baum

22. “The most direct means for attaching ourselves to God from this material world is
through music and song, so even if you can't sing well, sing.” – Reb Nachman of Bratslav
Thank you all for bringing your full selves
whenever you play. The joy of your
presence and your spirit fills us.
Sing we do, the best we can!
With deep gratitude to Rose and Meir for
being there to create this collaboration
and to Sarah, Farnoush, Nancy and
Daniel for making “Ruach Tehillah” a
true treasure for all.
Rabbi Linda & David Shriner-Cahn

23. Thanks to Rose, Meir, Sarah, Nancy,
Farnoush and Daniel.
Their music makes our hearts sing!
Jeff and Marcia Golland

24. To our own Rose and Meir Beir, for your dedication
to Congregation Tehillah and our friendship. You
continue to bring us beautiful and meaningful music to
our services that can’t be matched.
And our Tehillah Ruach Band with Nancy Dunetz,
Daniel Wolf-Savin, Sarah Banks and Farnoush
Safavi: you raise the level of our prayers by providing
the surround sound so we never miss a beat. And now
we sing to you:
The Eiseman Family
Play us a song, you’re our Piano Rose,
Play us a song, for peace,
Well, we’re all in the need for a melody,
And you’ve got the music to please….
CONGRATULATIONS

25. Vive la musique et nos musiciens!
Rose, Meir, Sarah, Nancy,
Farnoush and Daniel
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth:
make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”
Nancy Shaw and Michael Smith

27. Proceeds of original art or
print sales from the website
will go to Congregation
Tehillah for up to a month.
www.FrancesOelbaum.com

28. 552 West 235th Street
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(718) 548-4534
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29. Congratulations to Rose and Meir and the whole
Ruach Tehillah Band!
Thank you for all that you do!
You make our hearts sing!
Kimelfeld - Muchnik Family

30. In honor of Rabbi Linda whose guidance and loving support sustains us all and
David whose tireless efforts and Torah service bring us joy.
My partner Farnoush whose drumming enlivens every service. Rose and Meir
whose musical talents are indispensable.
Mazel tov
Nechama Sorscher, Ph.D.

31. I am so grateful for Rose, Meir, Nancy, Daniel, Farnoush and Sarah
for the wonderful setting they provide for our services.
Their music adds to the deep meaning of the prayers.
Thank you so much!
Susan Goldman

32. Mazal Tov
Rose and Meir
Daniel Wolf Savin
and Fryda Villars
Many thanks to
Rose and Meir for
ensuring Tehillah's
spiritual well-being
all these years!!!
Marie Yaker

33. Marc Horowitz
Financial Advisor
Thank you to Ruach Tehillah and
Rose and Meir Beer for bringing
the music and love into our
services.
Madeline Ritter

34. MAZEL TOV
to the honored members of the
Ruach Tehillah Band
n
THANK YOU
to Rose & Meir
for the musical leadership that
brings reverence and joy to our services
n
THANK YOU
to Sarah, Nancy, Farnoush & Daniel
for sharing your serious and soulful talents.
Jen, Mal, Helena & Roma
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

36. Your ruach brings so much joy
to our services. Much gratitude
and many blessings!
Mindy and Allen Prenner
Mazal Tov
Farnoush Safavi
With thanks to Rose, Meir, Sarah, Nancy,
Daniel and Farnoush for your musical
contribution to our services.
Matthew Hirsch and Tamara Fish

37. Love, David, Kimberlie and Jasmine
Rose and Meir: You are the beating
heart and soul of Tehillah.
Congratulations to you both and to
Ruach Tehillah.
To Rose and Meir, and the wonderful
Ruach Tehillah: THANK YOU for
always bringing the music and joy into
our lives and shabbatot.
Wendy Levinson and
Rabbi Bob Kaplan
Congratulations
Naomi Marcus