Every year the Torah portion that includes the Song at the Sea--when Miriam and Moses led the people in rejoicing after crossing the Sea--is called Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of Song. One lovely custom on this Shabbat in the heart of winter is to feed the birds. This custom is related to the birdsong that accompanied the Israelites' singing. Another midrash connects the birds to the miracle of the manna that the Israelites collected 6 days a week.*

On Saturday evening, January 30, "Music is for the Birds" will celebrate music with a theme of birds, birdsong, lovebirds, the outdoors, and other choice by our musicians. Come listen and sing along in an uplifting night of videos and live music. Musicians include Debi Adams, Sarah Bob and Aaron Trant, Forbes Graham, Sharin Horvitz Chung and Carly Chung, Judy and Barry Katz-Levine, and Cantor Jeff Klepper. *The Israelites were instructed to collect a double portion of manna on Friday to emphasize Shabbat as a day of rest. According to the midrash, when some rebels threw manna on the ground Friday night to fool the people, the birds ate it all up before morning came.