Meir Glazer Brings Carlebach Prayers to Tzfat

Beirav, Tzfat's Carlebach Synagogue

According to the view of Shlomo Carlebach, the world is full of special and amazing places and ideas. But if there's no one to put the concepts into focus and act on them, they are doomed to failure.

The Beirav-Carlebach synagogue, located in Tzfat's Old City, honors the vision of Shlomo Carlebach and was developed due to the commitment of two families who felt the influences that Shlomo Carlebach had on them, and could have on other Jews as well.

Carlebach was a Pied Piper-type Rabbi whose love and acceptance of all Jews, and his work to bring disaffected Jews back to their heritage, has now spawned a world-wide following. Meir Glazer was one such college student when he went to a concert of Shlomo's while in college. "I can still feel his magnetic pull that got me to join in the dancing" Meir says. "That event changed my life and I turned to the Hillel House on campus to begin my search for Jewish identity."

Meir eventually moved to Israel, settling in Tzfat with his wife, Chana, and raising a family. He gained employment in the local bank but his memories of Shlomo never left him, and when the opportunity presented itself to begin a synagogue with Shlomo's tunes and melodies, he jumped at the chance. As one writer once wrote about him, "During the week, Meir Glazer is a mild-mannered bank clerk, but when Shabbat comes, he becomes Super-Chazan."

A Tzfat Institution

A Chazan is the cantor in a synagogue, responsible for leading the prayers, and Meir is now the Chazan of the immensely popular Beirav synagogue of Tzfat, leading Shabbat and holiday prayers in the tradition of Shlomo Carlebach. That means that the prayers are lively, tuneful, and accompanied by plenty of dancing and good-will. Most weeks, the crowd spills out onto the street next to the synagogue, and during the crowded summer months, the lane is so packed with people that it's impossible to pass. But for Meir and other regulars, it's just an affirmation that the soul-stirring melodies of Shlomo, together with the welcoming atmosphere, are exactly what the Jewish world needs. For Meir, who has worked tirelessly for years to build this Carlebach community in Tzfat, it's a satisfying sight. "Today" says Meir, "after 10 years of leading the Carlebach service at Beirav I cannot be satisfied without the deep feeling of praying to Hashem (God) any other way and of being a part of a minyan (prayer quorum) that brings the whole spectrum of Judaism together in one little shule (synagogue)."

He continues. "Why do hundreds of people keep coming to Beirav every week? One yeshiva (seminary) student said to me a few weeks ago that Beirav is one of the only places in the world where everyone feels they belong, where everyone has a place. This is an essential part of Reb Shlomo that I always try to keep in mind."

Through the Beirav Center, Meir is available for lectures that include music and story telling in the Carlebach tradition. In addition, the Center invites groups who are looking for spiritual activities such as a magical musical tour of Tzfat, a Bar /Bat Mizvah event in the Carlebach style, an evening of stories and music, Carlebach-inspired learning sessions, or a Rosh Chodesh HALLEL (celebration of the beginning of the Hebrew month) with musical instruments. To contact Meir call 050 7505695 or e-mail mair16@gmail.com.