Ohev Shalom Hosted Moving Musical Tribute to the Late Marv Feld

On November 12, 2017, Ohev Shalom of Bucks County held a moving musical tribute to the late Marv Feld, Ohev Shalom’s Choir Director for over 20 years. The theme was “Thank you for the music: A Tribute Concert in Honor of Marvin Feld z’’l.” The tribute drew a large crowd many of whom were personally affected by Marv’s love for music and education. The tribute began with a dedication by Rabbi Elliot Perlman followed by a short slide-show dedicated to Marv’s life. Rabbi Perlman said the best way to pay tribute to Marv was through music. Mr. Scott Gordon emceed the tribute introducing the various groups that played and sang throughout the tribute.

Following the dedication, multiple musical groups paid tribute to Marv, as his influence spanned throughout the Bucks County – not just Ohev Shalom. The Shabbatones, a small concert band, played lively music for life cycle celebrations. Cantor Annelise Ocanto-Romo led the Shir HaYonah Singers, a choir of elementary aged students, sang songs dedicated to the late Marv Feld. Additionally, the Ohev Shalom Choir sang two beautiful Hebrew songs. The Ohev Players (Ohev Shalom’s own actors group) sang “Sunrise, Sunset” from the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof.”

As previously noted, prior to being Ohev Shalom’s Choir Director, Marv was a beloved educator in the Central Bucks School district for many years where he was a music teacher at Central Bucks East High School. This was evident during the tribute. James Glaser and Frank Bolkus of the Central Bucks Music Staff played a piano and alto saxophone duet. The Southampton Community Band, an adult concert band previously directed by Marv, played Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. Tzvia Wexler, Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces Executive Director for Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, sang three Hebrew songs accompanied on piano by Cantor Emeritus Paul Frimark.

The tribute ended with a sing-along with versus written by Cantor Ocanto-Romo to the tune of Abba’s “Thank you for the Music.” As noted by Cantor Ocanto-Romo, “We’re so grateful for Marv, his kindness and care went so far / so we say / Thank you for the music, for the songs I’m singing.” The late Marv Feld is truly missed, and the Ohev Shalom congregation and Bucks County community are truly blessed to have been graced by his musical leadership.

(Images courtesy of Mark Kolber)