A PRAYERFUL AND MELODIOUS LIFE RABBI'S COMPOSITIONS ARE CELEBRATED AT ADAT ARI EL.

Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer

VALLEY VILLAGE - For Rabbi Moshe Rothblum, music has been a lifelong passion that hit a high note at Adat Ari El Synagogue.

Now, as he prepares to retires in October after 35 years as spiritual leader of the San Fernando Valley's oldest synagogue, his congregation plans a variety of special events to honor him, including a showcase of his liturgical compositions at a Shabbat service Friday.

``He's such a unique person with his musical talent and such a sense of humor,'' said Harold Masor, board president at Adat Ari El. ``He looks on the positive and best side of people.''

The rabbi, who doesn't read music, said his affinity for melodies came naturally.

``I always was very musical,'' said Rothblum, who tapes his piano compositions. ``I loved classical music. Out of amazement, I always had the feeling I could compose music.

``I was composing music when I was 8 years old. My father was a Yiddish actor and my mother was a dancer so I've always had an interest in music and theater.''

Rothblum said that while his family was rich in Jewish culture, his parents still were surprised when he decided to become a rabbi.

``They weren't crazy about it. I persuaded them that I could do something of value that would benefit people and help to keep Judaism alive,'' said Rothblum, who graduated from Fairfax High School and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Rothblum said he attended a Jewish elementary day school and had after- school classes at Hebrew High School, but it was his yearly experiences at Camp Ramah in Ojai that led him to become a rabbi.

``I liked the sense of community that was created (at camp). I very much enjoyed the rituals,'' Rothblum said. ``And I was still able to do the artistic stuff in a Jewish setting.''

It was while he was a counselor at Camp Ramah that Rothblum composed a melody for a prayer called the V'shamru. The prayer, chanted in Hebrew during a Shabbat service, calls for Jews to keep and observe the Sabbath as a covenant with God.

His melody now is heard in synagogues and at Jewish summer camps around the world to such an extent that many consider it to be the ``traditional'' song.

Rothblum was ordained in 1971 by the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and was asked by the late Rabbi Aaron Wise from Adat Ari El to come to the synagogue as an associate rabbi.

Rothblum became the senior rabbi in 1978 and his tenure has drawn praise from congregants.

``Rabbi Rothblum is one of the sweetest men around. He's a humble, kind, gentle man. He's generous of spirit and space,'' said Craig Taubman, singer-songwriter and member of Adat Ari El.

``It's rare for a rabbi to remain for 35 years and be so loved. He's the funniest storyteller I've ever heard,'' said past board president Lorin Fife.

``He's had a huge impact on two generations of teenagers with directing theater (at the synagogue). His music is known all over the world.

``He's had a quiet but powerful impact on building the Jewish community. His focus is on doing your best to do the right thing. He's really a mensch.''

Shabbat service with liturgical music composed by Rabbi Moshe Rothblum, 8 p.m. Friday, Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. Call [phone].

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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Rabbi Moshe Rothblum will retire this year from Adat Ari El Synagogue, and as a part of a series of events, a Jan. 20 Shabbat service will showcase the rabbi's liturgical music.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer