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Dear Friends,
Shanah Tovah to you and your loved ones! May 5784 bring you health, wisdom, peace, and harmony. In this issue, we bring news of our upcoming concerts, including a much-anticipated out-of-town performance in November with our Philadelphia friends, Nashirah. In his musings this fall, Josh Jacobson shares some background on Paul Ben-Haim’s Kabbalat Shabbat, which we’ll be performing at Temple Emanuel in honor of Israel’s 75th anniversary.
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In each issue of E-Notes, Artistic Director Joshua Jacobson offers his unique insights and experiences as a world-renowned scholar, composer, conductor, and influential teacher of Jewish music.
Still crazy after all these years. Yes, believe it or not, we are launching our 55th season.
We have an exciting series of concerts lined up for this fall, including a joint concert with Nashirah in Philadelphia, a return to Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, and our annual “Hanukkah Happens” concert at Temple Emanuel in Newton.
| This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of an important document, Israel’s Declaration of Independence, which states, “The State of Israel will…foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture….” | |
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As I write this, many in Israel and around the world are concerned about the preservation of these ideals. Much of the conversation is dissonant. We express our concern and commitment to these ideals in the language of harmony. Our December concert at Temple Emanuel will begin with a wonderful work by Israel’s first great composer, Paul Ben-Haim (pictured). In 1967, Ben-Haim was commissioned by the American cantor Raymond Smolover to compose a setting of texts from the Friday evening liturgy. Kabbalat Shabbat, scored for chorus, soloists, and chamber orchestra, is a beautiful “classical” work, infused with Middle Eastern modes and melodies.
In Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in the summer of 1968, I had the privilege of singing in one of the first performances of Ben-Haim’s work; and now Zamir is delighted to bring it to our audiences in eastern Massachusetts. Our programs will also feature a selection of popular Israeli songs from the past 75 years, with opportunities for you to sing along with us.
We look forward to sharing this beautiful music, and much more, this season, in person and online. May the harmony of music open our hearts and bring us peace.
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Philadelphia Joint Concert with Nashirah
Sunday, November 12, 2:00 pm, Adath Jeshurun 7763 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA: We are excited to make a special out-of-town trip to join Nashirah, the Jewish Chorale of Philadelphia, for a performance in their hometown. Led by Prof. Julia Zavadsky, Nashirah was our guest last spring and we are delighted to sing with them again. For details, go to www.nashirah.org.
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Beth Shalom Encore Performance
Thursday, December 7, 7:30 pm, Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave, Needham: In another ongoing collaboration, Zamir will return to TBS following our successful concert there last year. Much gratitude to Cantor DJ Fortine, Zamir tenor, and Rabbi Jay Perlman for inviting us back! Check www.tbsneedham.org later this fall for details.
“Hanukkah Happens” at Emanuel
Thursday, December 21, 7:30 pm, Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St, Newton: This year’s “Hanukkah Happens” concert will celebrate the 75th year of Israel’s independence. The program will feature Kabbalat Shabbat, a cantata for chamber orchestra and voices by Israel’s first great composer, Paul Ben-Haim, based on the Friday night Sabbath service. Also on the program is an Israeli sing-along with Zamir, and much more. Thanks to Cantor Elias Rosemberg and the TE Music Committee for keeping the 30+-year tradition alive! Ticket information to come later this fall.
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Welcome to Our Newest Zamirniks
On September 21, we held auditions for the 2023-24 season. A hearty welcome to our new members: Max Sandberg, bass, and Deborah Grose, soprano.
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Keep in Touch
As always, let us know what you’re up to--we love hearing from our friends near and far. Wishing you all a Chag Sukkot Sameah (Happy Sukkot) and a pleasant fall season.
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Barbara Gaffin
Managing Director
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