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Dear Friends,
Summer greetings to you, wherever you are! We just wrapped up our 55th season with “A Tapestry of Cabaret” at Temple Reyim. Read all about it in this issue, along with news of upcoming events and personnel updates. A hearty “Welcome back!” to Artistic Director Josh Jacobson, who returned from sabbatical in Israel and will pick up the baton again in September. Enjoy Josh’s latest “Musing” about getting “lost” in music. The Zamir community extends much gratitude to Assistant Conductor Andrew Mattfeld for so ably filling Josh’s shoes while he was gone. We look forward to our 56th season of sharing the breadth and depth of Jewish choral music in person and online.
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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.
Recently, listening to WCRB-FM radio, I heard this promotional slogan, “Get lost!” followed immediately by a clever clarification: “Get lost in the music!” What a wonderful idea! And not just as a promo for Boston’s classical station.
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Legend has it that the great 18th-century Hassidic Rebbe, the Baal Shem Tov, was once asked what music is. He responded, “Music is what takes you from where you are to where you want to be.” What a magnificent description of the awesome power of music.
But I’d like to expand on the Hassidic definition: “Music can take you to where you didn’t even know you wanted to be.”
Too often we ignore the music that is all around us. We’re inundated with audio stimulation: radio, television, ad jingles. Muzak in the elevator and the supermarket. Music as a background while we exercise or dance, cook or drive or do homework. But how often do we actually place our music in the foreground? How often do we remove all that other stimulation and focus just on the music? Maybe even for more than just the typical three-minute duration of a popular song?
And when we do listen, do we stick with the familiar? Or do we dare dip our toes into the uncharted waters of music we’ve never heard before? Music by a different composer, music in a different idiom, music from a different culture?
I agree with WCRB. We need to open ourselves to the possibility of getting lost. Being open to a new experience. Setting out on a musical journey without GPS.
I invite you to get lost with Zamir. Learn from and enjoy our video podcasts. Find us on Spotify. Or better still, come and hear real “live” music being made before you. Don’t just sit alone with your earbuds. Come and experience music created on the spot, with no intermediary, and be in the company of hundreds of other listeners who are sharing the experience with you in “real time.”
Use your GPS to get to the concert hall. Then get lost.
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Save the dates now and stay tuned in the fall for details about the following performances:
Sunday, November 17: Temple Israel, Sharon, with Cantor Jamie Gloth.
Sunday, December 8: Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, with Cantor DJ Fortine.
Tuesday, December 24: Temple Emanuel, Newton. Annual “Hanukkah Happens” event featuring selections from Jewish-themed operas and oratorios, with Cantor Elias Rosemberg.
Sunday, April 6, 2025: Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley, with Cantor Shanna Zell.
Details on our 2025 spring concert will be announced in the fall.
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Cantor Louise Treitman Elected Board Chair
Cantor Louise Treitman (pictured) has been elected to serve as Board Chair, replacing Gilbert Schiffer, beginning July 1.
A Zamir soprano and current board member, longtime faculty member of Hebrew College, advisor and cantorial coach, and past Associate Dean of the college's School of Jewish Music, Louise has served as the High Holiday Cantor at two congregations in Italy—first at Florence’s Shir Hadash Firenze and currently at Rome’s Beth Hillel Roma.
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Also, Cantor Jeff Klepper (pictured) was elected to the board. A Zamir alumnus, Jeff has been hailed as a pioneer in American Jewish music, one of a handful of people responsible for changing the sound of American synagogue music and one of the first cantors to use a guitar during worship services.
Many of his original songs, such as the universally beloved "Shalom Rav," are known throughout the Jewish world.
Many thanks to Gilbert for his seven years of dedicated leadership, a warm welcome to Louise as she steps into her new board role, and to Jeff for joining the ranks of the board!
Conducting Intern Position Available
We are recruiting candidates for the position of Conducting Intern, beginning in the fall. This internship was established in 2000 to train conductors in the area of Jewish choral music. For a full description, click here.
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The Hill Was Alive with the Sound of Music
On June 16, Zamir performed selections from our recent “A Tapestry of Cabaret” concert to an appreciative audience at Boston’s Church on the Hill. Interim Conductor Andrew Mattfeld (pictured), who is music director at the Beacon Hill church, emceed and conducted the afternoon event, now a lovely annual tradition. Photo by Axie Breen
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“A Tapestry of Cabaret” in Newton
On June 4, a full house at Temple Reyim enjoyed a lively, uplifting evening of cabaret and classical music, with Andrew Mattfeld, guest conductor and Master of Ceremonies.
The concert featured music by well-known composers from the U.S., Israel, France, and Germany, whose talents often crossed genres.
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The program showcased soloists and small ensembles from the choir and included a sample of Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera along with his setting of the Kiddush, and the pairing of Jack Gottlieb’s “Downtown Blues for Uptown Halls” with his “Half Kaddish.”
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Other composers represented included Bernstein, Kander, Milhaud, and Schoenberg. Our tapestry even weaved in poetry and other recitations offered by our talented and diverse Zamir members. And we offer a rousing round of applause to instrumentalists Ed Swanborn, piano; Taki Masuko, percussion; Bruce Creditor, clarinet; and Anthony D’Amico, bass.
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Be sure to view our Photo Gallery.
Photos by Axie Breen
Pictured, top to bottom: Marty Oppenheimer and Max Sandberg; chorus members; Corey Shore
| Zamir will hold auditions for all voice parts in September. Candidates are expected to attend two open rehearsals, September 10 and 17, at Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington St., Auburndale, MA. Details will be provided later this summer. | As always, let us know what you’re up to—we love hearing from our friends near and far. Be safe, be well, and see you in September! | |
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Barbara Gaffin
Managing Director
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