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Dear Friends,
Springtime greetings! While Josh Jacobson is on sabbatical, our schedule is still active. In this issue, you’ll find details of our June 4 concert, “A Tapestry of Cabaret,” as well as Josh’s musings on the raison-d’être of community choruses, and a recap of recent events. Be safe and well during these challenging times and may you have a joyful and meaningful Passover.
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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.
During the COVID pandemic, a colleague shared this wonderful insight: “We used to think we scheduled rehearsals so we could prepare for a concert. Now we realize we schedule concerts so we can enjoy the delights of rehearsals.”
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Why do community choruses exist? First and foremost, it’s for the pleasure of the singers. Week after week, they get to experience firsthand some amazing music. It’s the intense involvement, the “peak experience” that arises from delving deep inside a work of art. It’s also for the fellowship. The pleasure of being part of a community of harmony in which all are working together for a noble purpose.
Why do community choruses exist? We also enjoy sharing our accomplishments with an audience, thereby enlarging the circle of communication. People come to our concerts not only to see their friends and family on stage, but to experience some interesting music—in person, in an “I-Thou” relationship, not through the speakers in their cars or phones or computers.
The Zamir Chorale of Boston adds another dimension. Many of our singers appreciate the fact that Zamir is one of the only community choruses whose rehearsals and concerts don’t conflict with the observance of Shabbat and Jewish holidays. We expose our audience to a unique repertoire, both familiar and unfamiliar, drawn from the surprising breadth and depth of Jewish traditions. And we believe our listeners appreciate Zamir’s abiding commitment to preserving and presenting this repertoire.
That’s what keeps us going. We exist thanks to the dedication of our singers and the support of our audience.
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A Tapestry of Cabaret
Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 7:30 pm ET, Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington St, Newton: Andrew Mattfeld, Zamir’s assistant conductor (pictured), will serve as guest conductor and Master of Ceremonies for an evening of cabaret and classical music by well-known composers from the U.S., Israel, France, and Germany, whose talents often crossed genres. Enjoy a sample of Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera along with his setting of the Kiddush, or the pairing of Jack Gottlieb’s Downtown Blues for Uptown Halls with his “Half Kaddish.” Other featured composers include Bernstein, Kander, Milhaud, Schoenberg, and more. Our tapestry even weaves in poetry—and some surprises.
This is a hybrid program with tickets for sponsorship, in-person and online viewing available here.
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Uplifting Visit to Orchard Cove
On Sunday, March 17, a chamber choir from Zamir performed at Orchard Cove, a retirement community in Canton, Mass. Soprano Betty Bauman-Field stepped in as guest conductor for the event. Selections included “Oseh Shalom” and “Abi Gezint,” and many residents sang along. Word is that the community was abuzz afterwards, uplifted by the live music and joyful atmosphere. We hope to schedule an encore performance in the future!
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Z’alumni Events Offered Music and Reflections
On February 4, a group of Zamirniks from the U.S. and Israel joined our most recent Z’alumni Zoom meeting, which featured reflections and anecdotes from two special guests: Ed Swanborn, who has collaborated with Josh for over 50 years, beginning at Northeastern University, and has served as our regular accompanist since 1996; and Michael Zaitchik, accompanist, who performed with us from 1969 to 1974. We also heard from Steve and Judy Gray and Rabbi Don Cashman about what life is like living in Israel since the war began on October 7. On a lighter note, to end the event, Larry Sandberg offered another stellar “Name That Tune” game along with a sing-along (with microphones off) to Zamir favorites through the years.
On November 5, several dozen Zamirniks, past and current, enjoyed a memorable “Z’alums Sing-along” at the home of alums Sheri and Eli Gurock in Brookline, Mass. Hosted by Josh Jacobson and Jeff Klepper, the event was streamed live on Zoom via the magic tech touch of Larry Sandberg, with Ed Swanborn at the piano.
Thanks to the fabulous Alumni Committee—Chair Riki Lippitz, Alan “Tep” Teperow, Susan Rubin, Jack Kahn, Joni Schockett, and Jeff Klepper—for offering these fun and stimulating programs!
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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 peace, harmony, and Pesach Sameach from our family to yours.
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Barbara Gaffin
Managing Director
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