December 2014 during memorial services at Valley Beth Shalom

for Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis—an undeniable compassion for people

to look beyond their differences and come together in community,

the courage to stand up against social injustice, and a strength of

character that insisted on dignity for all people, whether it be between

divisions of Jewish sects, for equal rights, or speaking out against atrocities

like genocide. His impeccability rang in sharp contrast to our current world

of clay-footed leaders.

Noreen Green had asked me earlier that month to consider composing

a suite for voice and strings based on my recent collaboration with

Rabbi Schulweis, the song cycle Sacred Transitions. And there

Noreen and I sat as Rabbi Eddie Feinstein began the memorial

service with this prayer for peace:

"This we know:

Fear can yield to faith, hope can reignite,

Rage can cease, hatred can be melted...

Merciful One, spread the canopy of your peace over us,

Over all who dwell on earth."

I heard these words and knew that Canopy of Peace was the perfect title

for this project. The suite has 5 movements. The first movement,

Aria for a Calmer World, is a gentle invocation featuring solo violin.

The second, third, and fourth movements are songs from my cycle

Sacred Transitions. Whose am I suggests that our frustrated inner

search for identity (Who am I) might be best answered in our search

outward for community (Whose am I), using the refrain"In belonging lies

the secret." Similarly, Touch My Heart is a mother's song to a child

asking how do we touch love, suggesting instead that love is not a

where (an object) but a when. Mirror Eyes is a love song to a spouse

(In your eyes I find myself) that also speaks to the larger ideas of

differences and toleration:

"I choose eyes/ Not focused on blemishes alone/ Eyes that do not

blink away my crooked nose/ And twisted mouth/ But wink

encouragement and hope and love."

The final movement, Because You Suffer sets the conclusion

of a moving speech Rabbi Schulweis delivered at a Jewish World

Watch benefit. Like the previous songs, he uses word substitution

to dramatically alter our perception and to explain our individual

responsibility in the world for peace.

"The philosopher defined existence...

'I think therefore I am'.

The existentialist wrote:

I feel therefore I am...

But our tradition declared,

Because you suffer, therefore I am.' "

We are personally responsible to create this "canopy of peace."

In that spirit, this work is dedicated to Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis.

'Because you suffer, therefore I am.' "