Lester Chambers, Sacred Song Master: Rosh Hashanah 2015, Aquarian Minyan

After years of being the only East Bay (SF) Renewal congregation to hold 2nd night Rosh Hashanah services for an ever-dwindling number of participants, The Aquarian Minyan decided not to hold them. I was responsible for creating 2nd Day services, the next day. When I looked at the amazing space we had - Rudrimandir Center - I decided that it would be a waste not to use it for something. “Maybe,” I thought, “it’s time to nurture our capacity to do T’shuva, (the basic Jewish spiritual practices of seeking forgiveness, of finding the right path for the coming year and of accessing answers to our questions) by disrupting our patterns and connecting through our ancient history - i.e. that way deep inner invulnerable adolescent rock ’n roll part of our soul!” Meanwhile, back at the JCC several weeks prior, I had the good fortune of videotaping and participating in Berkeley Arts Ambassador, Susan Felix’s 2nd Annual Poetry/Music celebration of her birthday. Many fabulous poets and musicians shared their creations in honor of, and about, her. The last person was Lester Chambers, former lead singer of The Chambers Brothers, who completely brought the house down with his rendition of “People Get Ready” and then the heart rending new song, “Susan’s Song,” written for our Susan. Susan and I were chatting a few days later and I asked her if Lester would consider being our Rock ’n Roll/Blues “Rebbe” for the 2nd Night of Jewish New Years. Together we went and asked him; he was very excited at the idea and next thing you knew…..that was what was happening. This video covers that center part of the evenings “services” where Lester Chambers acts as our “rebbe:” telling stories, singing and playing music. This is Lester Chambers in a well-rounded way probably as you have never seen him before. For the people who needed straight Jewish, I led a 45-minute religious service before Lester came on and as further nurturance of integrating the unexpected to access the unconscious, we had Master teacher, Sadaya Zimmerle close the evening with Sufi Dancing (Dances of Universal Peace) afterwards. I hope to put up videos of that part of the evening as well. Enjoy! kr

Added 5 Apr 2026