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We celebrate the new name
of our HaZamir newsletter.
It is our hope that our
HaZamir will reflect the
joy that the music of HaZamir brings
to our HaZamir teens in all cities
across the United States and Israel
and bring some of their most
memorable moments into your homes.
HaZamir performs its 15th annual gala concert
spring2008/5768
PerfectionThrough
Imperfection
At HaZamir, we are a family. Our connectionsflower from the transient, yet eternal hours wespend united by our passion for singing the musicof our homeland. Still, the satisfaction we feel comes
not from our performance on stage. We have already succeeded,regardless of how our final concert is performed. It is the concertsthat we share amongst ourselves that bring tears to our eyes andmelt our hearts. The silence that hangs in the air, seconds before itis drowned in applause, unites us with the audience in a momentof awe. Here, in this incredible moment, we hold our breath inunison and admire the power of our shared voice.
Still, it is the mistakes we make during rehearsal that make itall worthwhile, for we are eager to learn from them and ourconductors are eager to impart their knowledge to us. Every mistake wemake brings with it the opportunity for improvement. Being part of thismusical and Jewish society has been enriching for me not only because
the fundamental bonds among every one of us strengthen ourcommunity, but also because I have found myself immersedin an environment overflowing with different levels ofreligion and spirituality. This nurturing atmosphere has
provided me a pathway toward understanding myself, myancestry, and my role as a Jew in this generation.
Mark Bennett Rosenberg, HaZamir North Jersey, Grade 12
page two
From Youth Choir to Movement
Matthew Lazar, Founder and DirectorElie Wiesel, Honorary Chairman
Dr. Steven C. Lorch, PresidentRabbi Gerald C. Skolnik, Vice PresidentHenry Stein, Vice PresidentGideon Vaisman, Vice PresidentArline Duker, SecretaryMark Raphael, Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORSCantor Nancy AbramsonDr. Gaya AranoffElizabeth Hove AronMartin Aron, Esq.James BallDr. Abba BorowichFredrica BrooksBobbie Sue DaitchEd FinkelRabbi Daniel FreelanderTemma KingsleyCantor Nathan LamElena Neuman LefkowitzMatthew J. MarylesHoward MayerCantor Jacob MendelsonHazzan Alberto MizrahiDr Mark PodwalPhyllis RosenAlan SeptimusDr. Noam Shudofsky z”lSherry Epstein SteinDennis Waldman
Dr. Marsha Bryan Edelman, Administrator
Vivian Lazar, HaZamir DirectorAmy Porter, HaZamir Administrative
Assistant
HAZAMIR NEWSLETTER
Editors:Vivian LazarMarsha Bryan Edelman
Photos:Rachel BanaiDr. Stanley StolarSimcha! Photography and Video
ProductionsPhoto collage on page 10 by
Sarah Sue LandauDesign and Production:Joelle Silverman Miller
For further information about HaZamir,please contact theZamir Choral Foundation475 Riverside Drive, Suite 825New York, NY 10117
HaZamir is a project of the
HaZamir Comes to Camp Ramah!
Combining the great traditions of Jewish music and Jewish camping
HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir and Camp
Ramah in the Berkshires are partnering for a week-long program this
summer, under the exciting direction of HaZamir conductor Noah Aronson.
Just as Camp Ramah is known for its outstanding summer camping
program, HaZamir, a project of the Zamir Choral Foundation, is known for
representing the highest standards of Jewish choral singing in America among
Jewish high school teens. This exciting new partnership will offer campers
in Ramah Berkshires the opportunity to experience that thrill of creating a
choral community as they taste the richness of the HaZamir experience.
When Didi Edelman joinedHaZamir Philadelphiashe knew she would
be making music, but she didn’trealize the depth of the relation-ships she would forge with herfellow HaZamirniks. Then Didiparticipated in the March of theLiving and was surprised to findNoah Hershey of HaZamirProvidence on her bus — and evenmore pleasantly surprised to bumpinto Ilan Caplan, of HaZamir North
Jersey, who was spending apost-high school year in Israel.After five years in HaZamirPhiladelphia, Didi is now spendinga year in Israel where she hasspent time with Aliza Sebert andNatasha Kaufman, both formerlyof HaZamir Manhattan. It seemsthat as HaZamir has grown to18 chapters across the UnitedStates and Israel, wherever youfind groups of teenagers youfind HaZamirniks.
HaZamir is grateful to all of its supporters,and especially to the following donors
for their continuing and exceptional commitmentto the HaZamir mission.
BENEFACTORSAnonymous
MAESTRO’S CIRCLEMorton Meyerson Family Foundation
Phyllis and Richard RosenBen and Esther Rosenbloom Foundation
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family FoundationGideon Vaisman
Ruth K. Westheimer
CONDUCTOR’S PODIUMAnonymous
Jonas Ehrlich Charitable FoundationJill and Ira Gansler
Lucius N. Littauer FoundationHannah Lorch
Gladys and Matthew Maryles
HaZamir Baltimore celebratesa birthday after rehearsal
When Matthew Lazar created HaZamir, one of his motivations was toprovide a place for Jewish teens in secular environments to sing first-ratemusic with Jewish content. Below is an example of how HaZamirprovided exactly that for one New Jersey teen.
Perfect Timing“M
ust Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free?No, there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for me.”These song lyrics of “Praise His Holy Name,” written by
Keith Hampton, led me to HaZamir. Last year, my public high schoolchoir directors picked this very religious song to be performed by mypublic high school choir at our spring concert. This song felt proselytizing,so I began a campaign against its performance. While the song waseventually performed, with me remaining silent, the experience oftaking a stand for something I believed in was worthwhilebecause it brought me to HaZamir Bergen County. Some of myfriends and family saw ads for the newly-formed chapter in thenewspaper and brought it to my attention solely because of myexperiences with my high school choir just weeks earlier —perfect timing! It was very refreshing and a welcome change tosing Jewish songs on stage in Carnegie Hall. Not only have I been able toperform at amazing venues, I’ve also had the opportunity to meet newpeople and make long-lasting friendships.
Rachel Engle, HaZamir Bergen County, Grade 11
page three
When Matthew Lazarestablished HaZamir Manhattan in1993, he envisioned a top-notchchoir providing an opportunity forteens across the denominationalspectrum to explore their musicalheritage and their Jewish identities.Fifteen years later, that single choirhas transformed into a network ofchoirs across the United States andin Israel, a movement that hasenhanced quality music-makingwith a social network that makesand maintains connections amonggenerations of HaZamir alumni.
The creation of the HaZamirAlumni Choir has providedopportunities for high schoolgraduates to maintain their
connections to HaZamir, and tomodel musical leadership to thecurrent singers who once sangwith them, and will all-too-soon
visit Penn State University, whereDan is a freshman, it was Dan whogave Jacob a tour of the campus.Rachel Schwartz, of HaZamirManhattan is a senior. She andSaul Frankford, formerly ofHaZamir Philadelphia, both sangin the HaZamir Chamber Choir lastyear. Saul is now a freshman atNorthwestern University, andwhen Rachel went to visit that
school, it was her HaZamir friend,Saul, who provided her with apersonal tour of that campus.
As a result of these kinds ofinteractions, HaZamir has createda formal network to link currentHaZamir juniors and seniors withtheir older friends who are alreadyon college campuses across theUnited States. Coordinated by Hinda
Continued on page fifteen
join their ranks. HaZamir seniorJacob Plotnick sang with DanPollak in HaZamir Philadelphia.Dan graduated last year and a fewmonths ago when Jacob went to
A movement thathas enhanced qualitymusic-making with asocial network thatmakes and maintainsconnections among
generations ofHaZamir alumni
Matthew Lazar and Chamber Choir in performance
When I first read the adin the Jewish Standardadvertising the new
Bergen County Chapter ofHaZamir I never expected that itwould be the amazing experienceit turned out to be. It never occuredto me that HaZamir could strengthenme as a person, and I certainlynever expected that having a true
page four
Conference and Retreat Center oncrutches and was still on crutchesfor the Carnegie Hall concert, twoweeks later. All the HaZamirniksand chaperones at Festival jumpedto their feet to do whatever theycould to help me out. If it weren’tfor the efforts of the HaZamir staffI wouldn’t have been able toperform in any of those concerts.
The HaZamir Community Reaches OutI would like to thank them for that.My weekly encouragement camefrom my talented and sympatheticconductor, Cantor Leon Sher andour wonderful coordinator, RonitHanan. They not only helpedteach me the music but alsoguided me and supported mealong every step of the way.
Singing songs in Hebrew at theFestival concert and in CarnegieHall were two of the most movingexperiences of my life. Seeing myMom in the audience bawling hereyes out really made me proud ofwho I am. While on the CarnegieHall stage I reflected on all that Ihave accomplished and how far Ihave progressed during this
HaZamir year. My voice hasimproved tremendously andmy maturity level has alsoimproved. I look forward toanother wonderful fun-filledseason with HaZamir.
Rachel PermutHaZamir Bergen County, Grade 11
“HaZamir experience” couldchange my life. The people inHaZamir are clearly moreextraordinary than any otherpeople I have ever met.
I broke my ankle right beforethe annual HaZamir Festival andGala Concert in Maryland. I arrivedto the Festival at the Pearlstone
My friends Alana Frenkel andAllison Halpren assisted meon and off stage. Alana alsohelped me all weekendcarrying my music andpushing me in the wheel-chair from one activity tothe next. Many other peoplefrom HaZamir also helped me and
It never occured to me that HaZamircould strengthen me as a person, and I
certainly never expected that having a true“HaZamir experience” could change my life.
Matthew Lazar conducts HaZamir at Carnegie Hall
A Letter From the Director
Thank you for performing at the Annual Gathering of Remembrancein Temple Emanu-El. This year offered HaZamir singers three verysignificant national performing opportunities, but this performance
was in a category of its own. We were offered the privilege to sing forHolocaust survivors and their families to an audience of over 2000people. Although the audience was asked not to applaud during any partof the event, I hope you noticed that as you left the stage after singing“Yungt Hymn” the entire hall broke into loud applause for you.
I think that happened for two reasons. The first is that you sang musicthat was so meaningful and brought back such sweet and sometimesbittersweet memories to all those people who lived through the devastatingtime of the Shoah. Your performance was powerful and moving, especiallythat beautiful diminuendo (getting softer) at the end of “Eili, Eili”. Thesecond is that all those survivors and their children looked at you andtheir hearts swelled to know that your existence in this world as youngJewish teenagers, 60 plus years after Hitler, Y’SH, tried to annihilate allthe Jews in the world, affirms their lives and perhaps in some way givesmeaning to the torments they suffered and the losses they endured.
Part of our HaZamir mission is to use our music to educate you andour audiences about the history and culture of the Jewish people. Yesterday,you all played an important role in fulfilling that mission. Mati, the HaZamirstaff, your parents and every single audience member who heard you singat this event are so very proud of you.
Vivian Lazar, International Director
After the Yom HaShoahperformance, I was standingoutside on the corner of
65th and 5th, still in my concert dress.A woman came up to me who waswearing a white carnation (I thinkshe was an escort of one of thesurvivors). She told me how beautifulour singing was and how much itmeant to her and thanked me forsuch a meaningful experience.
page five
HaZamirDoes Make aDifference
Mati, the HaZamir staff, your parentsand every single audience memberwho heard you sing at this event
are so very proud of you.
She told me howbeautiful our singingwas and how much
it meant to herThen, she took off her carnation andgave it to me, along with a kiss onthe cheek. She then thanked meagain for such a beautiful concertand for carrying on sucha wonderful tradition(having a YomHaShoah remem-brance concert).
It was so sweet, itmade me feel so special!
Rebecca JacobsHaZamir North Jersey, Grade 12
On May 4th, 2008 HaZamir was invited to sing at the Annual Gathering of Remembranceat Temple Emanu-el in New York City, the largest gathering of Holocaust survivors in North America.
For the second year, HaZamir contributed to the poignancy of this event by performing to the 2000 peoplein the audience. Below are two responses to the moving performance presented by our HaZamir teens.
Ronit Katz conducts HaZamir Israel
page six
Hooked On HaZamir
I joined the Manhattan chapter ofHaZamir in 10th grade and havemade connections with other
high school singers from all aroundthe country. Ever since then I havebeen hooked on HaZamir. At everyFestival, it strikes me how hundredsof high school students cometogether and become seriousmusicians, savoring theexperience of singing underthe direction of extraordinaryconductors whom they onlysee once or twice a year. Yeteven when everyone is so serious,funny things do occur. Last Festival,at a Shabbat chamber choirrehearsal, we were trying to findthe correct key for a song, andsince there were two people withperfect pitch, presumably we
wouldn’t have too much trouble.The problem arose when they bothsang different versions of the samenote. They grew frustrated untilfinally the whole tenor and basssection joined in, singing theirown versions of the note we weretrying to find. It was a beautifully
hilarious cacophony.This is what I love aboutHaZamirniks. Large scaleconflict arises out ofnothing other than attempts
to make music. With HaZamir,I always have one- of-a-kindexperiences. I will look back at itin the best of light as I graduatethis year and move on to moremusic-making.
Rachel SchwartzHaZamir Manhattan, Grade 12
Never Settlingfor Less
How many teenagers can saythey have performed atCarnegie Hall? This year,
our choir had the unbelievableopportunity and privilege toperform at one of the world’s mostrespected music halls. The caliberof HaZamir’s singing never ceasesto amaze me. I am so honored tobe a part of HaZamir, and so lucky,that my last performance with theInternational choir was at CarnegieHall. I wouldn’t have missed it foranything. I wouldn’t trade anythingfor the experience I had. I havelearned so much by surroundingmyself with some of the mostprofessional teen singers, conductors,and musicians that I have evermet. I am forever grateful to MatiLazar, the founder of HaZamir,who has brought me so muchpride and elation by pushing meabove and beyond what I thoughtwere my limits. He makes merealize what I am truly capable of,and never settles for less. Singingunder the auspices of Mati givesme an understanding of howprofessional choirs rehearse andperform. HaZamir has had a hugeimpact on my life, and I hope toreturn as an alum. Many thanks toeveryone affiliated withHaZamir for makingeverything we dopossible. I loveHaZamir, and cannever believe how fastthe time flies when wesing together. These have beensome of the best times of my life.
Gabi LevinHaZamir Baltimore, Grade 12
These have beensome of the besttimes of my life…
...On the bus home wewere discussing thepower of these
HaZamir gatherings. It is truly anexample of the whole beinggreater than the sum of its parts,when all these groups join togetherand the kids get to experience anentirely new level not only ofmusic, but of their own connectionto Judaism.Thanks to you all!
HaZamir Coordinator
HaZamir in Carnegie Hall
I’ve been a participant inHaZamir for the past five years.When I first started out, I didn’t
fully grasp the effect of Jewishteens from all over the countrycoming together to expressour heritage through music.
to perform proves that our musichas a unique effect on each of us.
For those who participate inHaZamir, our music is not justsomething we rehearse andperform. It stays with us overthe years, reminding us of ourfriends and influential conductors.During our Festivals, the nightbefore the big concert is acrucial one; we are told to getplenty of rest. Nevertheless, myfriends and I (along with most ofthe choir) stay up playing thepiano and going through ourinventory of favorite songs. Evenafter we are sent to bed, theconductors can hear the har-monic reminiscing that resonatesfrom our rooms.
For those who have neverheard HaZamir sing as a group,I strongly recommend it. ForJewish teens that love music,there is no experience comparedto that of singing in such a group.Although I am disappointed tograduate this year, I plan onrejoining HaZamir as part of itsalumni. I look forward to manymore concerts and reunionswith some of my bestfriends. Until then, I’llbe listening to ourCDs and singingalong to the wordsHeyeh v’HeyehHaZamir (long live HaZamir).
Farren NeuhauserHaZamir Philadelphia, Grade 12
I was blown awayby my first experienceof singing with the
entire group.
Heyeh v’Heyeh HaZamir
I was blown away by my firstexperience of singing with theentire group. The fact that so manyyoung people come from all over
page seven
Seven-thirty A.M., and abunch of bleary-eyedteenagers stumble towards a
bus slowly, attempting not to yawnlong enough to say good-bye totheir parents. Several others, alreadyloaded onto the bus, and equallyexhausted, slightly acknowledgetheir new traveling companions.
Four hours, two movies, andone rest stop later, these people allget off the bus and take in a breathof Baltimore air. I’m one of them.
After receiving nametags androom assignments, and droppingbags and coats in our respectiverooms, we headed to the DiningHall for lunch. And then it cametime for our first rehearsal.
It is truly impossible to describethe absolute beauty of the soundproduced by two hundred and fiftypeople all singing songs togetherthat they have been practicingseparately for months. To someonewho comes from a relatively smallchoir of eight, the sound is so very
different from what one is used to.For the next two-and-a-half days,
rehearsal was a constant. Directorsspent who knows how many hourstweaking the singing, making surethe songs were just as beautifullysung as they were well-written.
Any and all time in betweenwas spent eating, talking, andwhatever was left over from thatwas for sleeping. Every night wasspent singing until basically eleveno’clock, but that’s all part of the fun.
And then at the concert, it wascompletely amazing. The senseof community among those inHaZamir is just astounding. In thelarge hall of the Gordon Center,the singing sounded absolutelygorgeous. To be a part of that,to know that you help createit, is a magnificent feeling.Knowing that this beautifulmingling of voices, thisfantastic harmony, could not beachieved without what you bring tothe table, that is utter satisfaction.
The kids from HaZamir areevery bit as great as the music.There are all the old friends fromacross the country for those inninth through twelfth grades,and the fragile new friendshipsformed by new eighth graders.As one of the latter persuasion,I know that I have met so manywonderful people my age andolder, and I found myself alreadylooking forward to the CarnegieHall performance even more,just to see all my friends again.
During the weekend I wasin Baltimore my friends backhome decided to have a sleepover,which, as I was in Baltimore,
I was unable to attend. Butquite honestly, if someonehad given me a choice,I would have chosenHaZamir in a heartbeat.
It really was the most funI have had in a long time.
Penina FrancusHaZamir Pittsburgh, Grade 8
…HaZamir in a Heartbeat
Knowing that this beautiful mingling of voices,this fantastic harmony, could not be achieved withoutwhat you bring to the table, that is utter satisfaction.
page eight
In the name of all the Israelisingers in HaZamir Israel, wewant to express our appreciation
for an amazing experience at theAnnual HaZamir Festival and Galasponsored by the Zamir ChoralFoundation.
Throughout the week, weinteracted with the AmericanJewish teens, realizing how muchwe have in common. Both the funsocial activities, and the intensivemusical activities, allowed us tobecome friends as we got to knoweach other better.
The three day Festival at thePearlstone Conference and RetreatCenter widened our musicalexperience, allowing us to work
with many different conductors,and different approaches to themusic (including, of course, theamazing Mati Lazar!). HaZamir’semphasis on professionalism andexcellence in choral music was feltin all the activities.
From Our Israeli Friends
Experiencing Shabbat was a newthing for us, and our wonderful,if short, discussion with DavidAckerman (Coordinator, HaZamirLos Angeles) and Mati, helped usconnect better to our Judaism.
Musical highlights for us weresinging “Hatikvah” (the David Burgercomposition) – especially for Israel’s60th anniversary, and singing “TfilahLishlom Medinat Yisrael”, after Mati’semotional acknowledgment of ourresponsibility as future soldiers inthe IDF. Of course, the GalaConcert itself was another highlight.
In general, the weekend madeus realize how important Israel isto American Jews and also howimportant the American Jewishsupport is to Israel.
We are very grateful that wewere brought to America forthis HaZamir event, andfor the unforgettable weekwhich left an imprint onall of us as Jews, asIsraelis and as musicians.Todah rabah, rabah!
Shahar Nof-Agam andthe rest of the Israeli HaZamirniks
The weekend madeus realize how
important Israel isto American Jews andalso how importantthe American Jewishsupport is to Israel.
Mati’s talks with the kids before singing certain songs and the spiritual approach hetook when talking to them about the “Prayer for the State of Israel” — especiallybringing to the front of the room those Israeli teens who would be going into the IDF
in a few months and telling our kids, that when they prayed this prayer, they would be able tosee their faces — this moved me beyond words. He made this weekend much more than aconcert rehearsal. With his explanations the songs meant something special — it became anemotional bonding with Am Israel and its traditions. HaZamir Coordinator
Matiintroducesthe seniorsof HaZamirIsrael whoare soonenteringIsrael'sarmy
HaZamir singsin Carnegie Hallfinale withZamir Chorale,Theodore Bikel,Debbie Friedman,Alberto Mizrahi,Lorna Wallach,Jacob Mendelson,Karen Berenthal page nine
Matthew Lazar and Cantor Joel Caplan(HaZamir North Jersey) acknowledge HaZamir
page ten
HaZamir is SoMuch More…
This was my first year withHaZamir and it was not whatI expected. I thought that it
would be a group of kids justsinging Jewish songs. It is so muchmore than that! When I went to theHaZamir Festival I was very nervousbecause the only people I knewwere from the Houston chapter.
A fter all the hardwork you arerewarded with
a truly beautifulsound of hundreds
of kidssinging as one
Chamber Choir rehearses at FestivalThen I started to talk to new people,met my roommates and I ended uphaving one of the best times of mywhole life with them. When wesang, it really touched me. After allthe hard work you are rewarded witha truly beautiful sound of hundredsof kids singing as one. During theHaZamir concert in Baltimore, themost rewarding experience waswhen we sang “Yerushalayim ShelZahav” the audience started to joinin. When you looked at them theywere so emotional andit gave me a reallygood feeling inside.I love HaZamir; ithas become a vitalpart of my life.
Julia TockerHaZamir Houston, Grade 8
Standing ovation as conductors applaud their HaZamir singers
Ithought I had done really coolthings throughout my lifetime,until I recently joined HaZamir.
Then I knew that this was the bestexperience of them all.
I had always wanted toparticipate in singing choral music,but all the choirs that I could havejoined were lacking something.When I saw the local advertisementfor HaZamir I thought I’d give it atry, even though rehearsals werea bit of a distance. I found thatwhat I needed was the opportunityto connect with my faith throughJewish music.
It all started at Intervisitation,where I realized it was worth it totravel a long distance in order tosing with my New Brunswickchapter. Just in the first ten minutesI had already made a ton of newfriends. Sharing a passion formusic created close relationships,and we had a great deal to shareand discuss. I was amazed the first
time I heard HaZamir sing alltogether. It was an enthrallingexperience to have a chance to beengaged in such a rich and glorioussound. My first real experience insuch a large choir truly made a
rehearsals were long, I discoveredI could enjoy them immenselybecause we were learning so muchwith somewhat difficult music.When the Gala concert camearound and we sang at GordonHall, I had so much fun performingthe music.
I was really excited about mydebut at Carnegie Hall, now thatI had learned all the music wewere doing and had built strongbonds with other teens. CarnegieHall was definitely an amazingexperience I will never forget.Walking on the stage was like adream, and I am so happy I wasable to participatein this fantasticoccasion. I amdelighted that Ijoined HaZamir andam eager to continuesinging.
Kayla Schneider-SmithHaZamir New Brunswick, Grade 8
page eleven
The Best Experience of Them All
I found thatwhat I needed
was the opportunityto connect withmy faith throughJewish music…
great impression on me as we wereled by some very wonderful andinspiring conductors.
Then, there was the HaZamirFestival in Baltimore, where I metmore interesting people. Though the
Performing with HaZamirin both Baltimore andCarnegie Hall has been the
greatest experience in MY LIFE!The music was awesome. It was
great meeting teenagerswho love music andare Jewish as well.Singing is animportant part of me.
HaZamir enables meto grow as a singer, but
most importantly as a Jew.Daniel Cohen
HaZamir New Brunswick, Grade 9
Cantor Joel Caplan (HaZamir North Jersey)and Noah Aronson (HaZamir Boston)in performance with HaZamir
HaZamir Festival finale
Below, top: Erika Schon (HaZamir Baltimore)on stage with HaZamir at Festival concert
Center (left to right): Devin Samuels, HaZamir Providence;Gabi Levin, HaZamir Baltimore; Nadav Lalo, HaZamir Israel
page twelve
On Monday, May 12th, Igot an opportunity mostpeople never get in their
entire lives: I got to meet a hero.CAMERA, the Committee forAccuracy in Middle East Reportingin America, held a dinner in honorof Natan Sharansky, the famousSoviet refusenik, and HaZamir wasasked to send a small ensemble tosing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and“HaTikvah” at the start of the evening.After we sang, we were invited tostay for the dinner and hear thespeeches and presentations. Thebest part of the night for me, however,came during the cocktail hour, beforethe dinner even began, when Iactually got to meet Natan Sharansky.
For the last few weeks I havebeen reading one of NatanSharansky’s books, The Case forDemocracy, which describes histheories for how to make the world
a better, safer place by democratizingvarious parts of the world. I broughtthe book with me to the dinner, in thehope that I could get Mr. Sharanskyto autograph it. Not only did heautograph the book for me, but heshook my hand and the hands ofthe other singers, and thanked usfor coming to the dinner.
After we sang the two anthemswe got to eat a delicious meal in abeautiful room, and listen toinspirational speeches. NatanSharansky gave a speech telling ofhis life and his hopes and plans forthe future, and Professor BernardLewis of Princeton University alsospoke. Along with this, awards werepresented to dedicated CAMERAmembers for their hard work tokeep America’s media honestabout Israel and the Middle East.
Going to this dinner was afabulous experience for me. I got
page thirteen
HaZamir Sings for Natan Sharanskyto meet people who can only bedescribed as heroes and hear whatthey have to say about possibilitiesfor the future. I am thankful toHaZamir for giving me anotheramazing opportunity, andto Natan Sharansky forrequesting youngsingers. It was anexperience I will neverforget.
Stephanie FeigenbaumHaZamir Bergen County, Grade 11
Clockwise from top right:Cantor Leon Sher
(HaZamir Bergen County);Marlee Stesin (HaZamir Minneapolis/
St.Paul) narrates;Cantor Brian Mayer (HaZamir
Providence) conducts at the gala
We who have been so much a part of the Zamir communityfor four decades feel so blessed that our children have theopportunity to join the kehillah.
HaZamir Parent
One of the special aspects ofHaZamir is the opportunity itpresents for singers from across thecountry – and across the ocean – toget to know one another (see “FromChoir to Youth Movement” on page2 for more on that phenomenon).Here is another vignette thatdemonstrates the international reachof friendship that HaZamir hascreated – as well as the exceptionaltalents of some of our singers.
There I was, minding my ownbusiness when I heard mymother call urgently for me
to come downstairs. My parentswere watching “Kochav Nolad”(the Israeli version of “AmericanIdol”) and my mother spotted someof the members of HaZamir Israel.There was Matan Kaufman onIsraeli television actually auditioningfor “Idol.” During the first piecethat he performed he was backedup by a quartet and there wasanother of our Israeli HaZamirniks
in his quartet — AyalaFossfeld. Matanperformed a secondpiece, solo, andthough this was just
the beginning — thefirst audition — needless
to say, he passed.Adva Hanan
HaZamir Bergen County, Grade 11
Sam Allen - BaltimoreDror Aviad - IsraelAshley Ayala - North JerseySophie Bass - BaltimoreElizabeth Bernstein -
Minneapolis/St.PaulAvital Bisk - HoustonMax Buckler - North JerseyMatt Busgang - North JerseyNathan Colbert - HoustonDaniel Eisenberg - BaltimoreAyala Fossfeld - IsraelSarah Freed - Los AngelesEvan Gale - ProvidenceEthan Goldberg - PhiladelphiaSamantha Goldman - ProvidenceMaayan Harel - ProvidenceSasha Hiller - Long IslandRachel Immerman - ClevelandMia Jacobs - North JerseyRebecca Jacobs - North JerseyGalit Kanevsky - IsraelMatan Kaufman - Israel
Nadav Lalo - IsraelLaura Landau - ProvidenceLaura Lebow - North JerseyGabi Levin - BaltimoreAhnie Levine - BaltimoreNadav Libhaber - IsraelIan Mahler - North JerseyDaina Migdel - Bergen CountyLeslie Miller - North JerseyNoa Nessim - New BrunswickFarren Neuhauser - PhiladelphiaJacob Plotnick - PhiladelphiaDanielle Pulton - Fairfield CountyMelissa Recht - ManhattanAviva Rogozen - ClevelandMark Rosenberg - North JerseyDara Rosenblatt - Fairfield CountySari Rosove - PortlandRachel Schwartz - ManhattanJosh Shapiro - ClevelandAaron Taslitz - North JerseyMaggie Tittler - Long IslandAvner Tueg - IsraelTzipora Wagner -
Greater WashingtonSam Zuckerman - Fairfield County
HaZamir at Carnegie Hall
Rafi Edelman (HaZamir Philadelphia, 1998-2003) on his marriageto Russi Taubes.
Ayala Fossfeld (HaZamir Israel, 2006-2008) on her acceptanceinto the IDF Entertainment Troupe!
Matan Kaufman on his acceptance as an Army Band singer and as one ofthe 18 competitors in Kochav Nolad (as in “American Idol” – see box thispage for more).
Sara Lipsey and Yuval Brokman, both alumni of HaZamir NJ, on theirengagement.
Mazal Tov to our Graduating Seniors
Mazal Tov to
We welcome you all asHaZamir Alumni.
Write [email protected]
to find out aboutupcoming alumni events.
page fourteen
HaZamir Chamber Choir in Festival Performance
Clockwise from top left:Noah Aronson (HaZamir Boston)
demonstrates a rhythm atIntervisitation; Kelly Shepard (HaZamir
Los Angeles) teaches a barbershoparrangement to HaZamir men;
intent faces of HaZamir chamber choir
page fifteen
FROM YOUTH CHOIRTO MOVEMENTcontinued from page three
Eisen, a graduate of HaZamirNorth Jersey and now head ofthe HaZamir Alumni Association,the College Connection providesa resource – and a built inconnection – for students whowant to visit campuses across theUS. There are special options forstudents who want to spend aShabbat on campus, and HaZamiralumni who have chosenparticular majors are also availableto discuss their programs of studywith current HaZamirniks who arestill making those decisions.
The hundreds of adult singerswho passed through the ZamirChorale in the 1960’s, ‘70’s and‘80’s enjoyed a social as well asmusical experience, an infusion
of Jewish culture that was largelyunavailable to them elsewhere.Today, although there are aplethora of programs that appeal toone or another Jewish interest,HaZamir is creating networks ofJewishly and musically literate
young singers. As our teens buildlasting friendships based on theirshared musical experiences, ourHaZamir movement is increasinglyproviding mature social contactsthat will last them well beyondtheir high school years.
Zamir Choral Foundation475 Riverside Drive, Suite 825New York, NY 10115
NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE
PAIDNEW YORK
PERMIT NO. 4375
SAVE THE DATE:
March 20–22, 2009
16th Annual HaZamir Gala Festival
It’s Here!Relive the music and the excitement of the 15th Annual Gala Concert
Now available in CD or DVD — order yours today!
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Mail to Zamir Choral Foundation, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 825, New York, NY 10115
