Variety of perspectives helps band stay in tune

The band's name is a Hebrew play on words.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- They're men of God ... and music men. They come from different backgrounds, religious and musical, but they mesh, meld and make music as Shalom Rav, the Youngstown rabbis' band.
They are:
URabbi Joel Berman of Congregation Ohev Tzedak (Conservative) in Boardman. He took some lessons when he was young, played guitar in garage bands and open-mike folk nights as a teenager. Rabbi Berman also played in a band, Old Hippies with Guitars, when he lived in Jerusalem. He plays guitar. He was most influenced musically by Jerry Garcia but has many musical interests.
URabbi Franklin W. Muller of Congregation Rodef Sholom (Reform) in Youngstown. He played garage bands in his youth including a group that played Jewish music in bluegrass style. "I picked it up on my own. I play by ear," Rabbi Muller said. He plays guitar and recently took up bass guitar. His favorite musician is Roy Book Binder.
URabbi Joseph Schonberger of Temple El Emeth (Conservative) in Youngstown. He took lessons for violin and woodwind instruments and can read music; probably has the most formal training. He plays saxophone. His favorite musicians are Stan Getz, John Coltrane and Paul Desmond.
URabbi Nosson Schuman of Children of Israel (Orthodox) in Youngstown. "I just started playing five years ago. I traded guitar lessons for Torah tutoring," Rabbi Schuman said. He plays guitar. His favorite composer is Shlomo Carlebach, considered the foremost songwriter in contemporary Jewish music.
The four rabbis have been playing as a group since the spring of 2004.
Choosing a name
The name "The Four Rabbis" was used for a while but finally rejected because it was too bland. So they came up with Shalom Rav, which is a Hebrew play on words, Rabbi Berman said. It means "great peace" or "hello rabbi," depending on context.
When the rabbis met, as part of their membership in the Youngstown Board of Rabbis, music just naturally crept into the conversation.
Rabbi Muller credited Rabbi Schonberger with the idea of getting together as a musical group. "It was something we could do together," Rabbi Schonberger said. The men sometimes get together just to play for the pleasure of making music.
"But we'll be keeping our day jobs," said Rabbi Muller, who said he uses music in services "to energize the congregation and get them involved."
The band plays at various intercongregational events. The idea of bringing the congregations together was appealing. It also shows another side of the leaders of the congregations.
"We can capitalize on community roots," Rabbi Muller said. He noted the importance of fostering a relationship among congregations.
"But there's no monoply on being Jewish. We respect the differences," Rabbi Berman said.
Knowing what's important
The rabbis said they recognized the importance of each congregation getting to know the others. "There is the reality of congregations getting smaller," Rabbi Muller said.
The music and food that usually goes along with get-togethers provides an enjoyable avenue to forging new relationships and connections. The rabbis agreed that in years past there had been a separateness among the synagogues, but these musical events have succeeded in bringing people together.
"We can maintain our identities [as congregations] and help each other," Rabbi Schonberger said.
An appreciation of music drew the rabbis together but mutual respect keeps it going. "That's really why this works," Rabbi Berman said.
The camaraderie among the four men is evident. Their different religious perspectives evoke lively conversations and good-natured kidding.
The band doesn't write its own music but plays various religious and spiritual selections. Songs by Carlebach and other traditional and modern tunes are among their repertoire. "We do play some novelty songs with funny lyrics," Berman said.
"Performances are usually centered around holidays and social gatherings," Rabbi Schuman said. "We have different sets of [religious] rules when music can be played."
Music also plays other roles for the rabbis. Rabbi Muller started a band in his congregation; Rabbi Berman jams with some of his congregants.
"It's a way to reach out to teenagers and young adults in the congregation," Rabbi Schuman said.
The four rabbis all visit Heritage Manor, where they engage residents in discussion or play music for them.