Congregation Beth Torah welcomes Lezlie Revelle Zucker as their new music coordinator. Zucker has been part of the Beth Torah music program since she joined the congregation in 2009, starting out as a member of the Beth Torah volunteer choir, then working as part of the congregation’s worship team. Over the years, she has sung in almost every High Holy Day choir, helped garner Boogie-to-Broadway victories, and spieled her way through musical Purim parodies. She also participates in the wider Jewish community. She has been part of the choir and a soloist for the community Selichot service and has become a staple musician at the JFS Gathering for Spiritual Peace and Wholeness.
“It is a true pleasure to welcome Lezlie as together we create a holy space for everyone,” said Rabbi Javier Cattapan, Beth Torah’s senior rabbi, “ever doing it with simchat mitzvah, the sacred joy of bringing Judaism into the lives of our congregation. But don’t take my word for it, come experience it.”
When not working for the congregation, Zucker writes music, books, musicals and plays (which she sometimes directs). Her music has been produced by a local record label and her plays continue to be produced both locally and nationwide. You can catch her theatrical work at the upcoming 2019 Kansas City Fringe Festival. Most recently, Rucker’s song “Or Chadash” was included in Transcontinental Music Publication’s Shabbat Anthology IX, and her “Happy Little Nigun” will be included in TMP’s upcoming Nigun Anthology III.
Rabbi Monica Kleinman said she is delighted to collaborate with Zucker on the bima and in the classroom.
“Lezlie’s creativity and energy are wonderful assets to our community,” Rabbi Kleinman said. “She has the ability to connect musically and personally with all ages and bring joy to Jewish life and worship.”
While Zucker’s tenure started June 1, she will be officially welcomed during Shabbat services on Friday, July 12. The community is invited to attend Beth Torah for this simcha in the life of the congregation. Community Nosh starts at 6 p.m. and worship begins at 6:30. The community is always welcome to attend Beth Torah worship services as well as be a part of the community choir for the upcoming Selichot worship on Saturday evening, Sept. 21, which Zucker is coordinating on behalf of the Rabbinical Association. To be a part of this choir, email Zucker at .
Zucker’s ‘The Kitchen Plays’ debuts in July
Lezlie Revelle Zucker is a recognized voice in the Jewish music community, but not everyone knows she’s also a playwright. Her work has been produced and won awards across the United States, and this year marks Zucker’s fifth Kansas City Fringe Festival appearance. The Kitchen Plays is her first solo production in the festival since 2013.
Her scripts were part of the Potluck Productions showcases in 2014, 2015 and 2017. This year you have three chances to see her work: Her short script “Home” is part of the Potluck Productions presentation (Accidental Points of View) and she is a co-author of Delta Heart Productions’ immersive theatre project (Final Curtain). She’s also thrilled to be producing a night of her own work. While not overtly Jewish — aside from the scene set during Passover preparation — The Kitchen Plays’ themes explore intrinsically Jewish values. The compilation of short stories examines family, history, tradition and matrilinear relationships. Zucker has been working on this collection since the early 2000s and plans to develop it to full length.
The Kitchen Plays are directed by Lindsay Adams and features Meghann Devereaux, Larry Goodman, Peter Leondedis, Kelly Main, Daijah Porcee, Margaret Shelby and Shelley Wyche. All shows are at the Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Penn Valley Dr., Kansas City, MO 64108.
Performances will take place Saturday, July 20, 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 21, 1:30 p.m.; Wednesday, July 24, 8 p.m.; Friday, July 26, 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, July 27, 4:30 p.m.
“The kitchen is the center of the home. It’s the heart and hearth, where recipes and people come together, and where families gather to remember who they were and figure out who they are. The Kitchen Plays are a window into the big things that happen over small moments in the kitchen,” Zucker said.
More information can be found at kcfring.org, facebook.com/KitchenPlays or lrzcreative.com.