In an age when anyone who puts a melody to L'cha Dodi is called a synagogue composer, the greatest praise I can give the memory of my colleague's music is to say that Ami Aloni's music was informed. He knew what he was creating; from what materials, for what occasion, for what resources, and for what effect. He was an insider who was steeped not only in trope, nuschaot and Scarbova tunes, but he knew the texts and the poetry of our worship intimately.

Week in and week out he met with his congregational choir and offered them something new and fresh. Whether it was for Hallel or for the Torah Service, Ami had an aural vision of what the experience could become and made that conception into a reality.

His literacy as well as his art will be missed.

It is touchingly ironic that, largely because of Ami's own reticence, the wonderful memorial musical archiving and recording of his music today was not pursued to the same extent during his lifetime.

I'm delighted that the larger community will now finally hear Ami's music. May it be a blessing for us all.

Michael Isaacson   more