Page 20 - Jewish News_February-2021

20A February 2021 JEWISH INTEREST

Pharaoh’s Daughter unplugged

By Arlene Stolnitz
e are just past Hanukkah I learned a lot about Basya while sources I read, in “Shmot” (Exodus), cording on YouTube of the Zamir con-
and not even close to Pass- watching her in an interview with Mat- Moshe is saved by Pharaoh’s daugh- versation with Matthew Lazar which
Wover, but I am anxious to thew Lazar on a Zoom program called ter, who was renamed Basya. Given gives a more complete understanding
write my column this month about a “Taking Note: Conversations About the name by her parents, Basya means of Basya’s passion and enthusiasm.
group called Pharaoh’s Daughter. That Music in Challenging Times,” hosted “daughter of a higher spiritual source.” To hear her music, I refer you to
name intrigued me when I heard its by the Zamir Choral Foundation. And finally, how does Basya’s “Songs of Wonder,” containing the
unique sound. Basya grew up in Borough Park, family accept her leaving Orthodoxy? poetry of Abraham Joshua Heschel,
Basya Shechter, founder and lead Brooklyn, in an Orthodox Haredi Her father is not thrilled with her de- which Basya has set to music.
singer of the seven-piece world/rock family. As a young person, she be- cision, and she has a complex rela- Arlene Stolnitz, founder of the Sara-
folk band, is also gan to question the lifestyle she was tionship with her mother. Presently, sota Jewish Chorale, is a member of
a cantor and haz- born into. More and more she felt a though, there is no tension in the rest the Jewish Congregation of Venice. A
zanista at Fire pull to get away from the Brooklyn/ of the family. And she is the mother of retired educator from Rochester, New
Island Synagogue, Manhattan/Catskills scene. She took a a wonderful three-year-old daughter. York, she has sung in choral groups
which features an gap year in Israel and, eventually, due Basya has turned to a branch of for over 25 years and also sings in
egalitarian conser- to attitude and behavior issues, was progressive Judaism known as Jewish The Venice Chorale. Her interest in
vative-style service. kicked out of the Yeshiva she was at- Renewal, which seems more relevant the preservation of Jewish music of all
Her earthy voice tending. From there she went to Egypt to her. kinds has led to this series of articles
blends beautiful- and, while in Cairo, she had an “aha” I encourage you to listen to the re- on Jewish Folk Music in the Diaspora.
ly with the soul- moment” when she heard Mediterra-
Arlene Stolnitz ful sounds of the nean-style music played in a Kentucky
oud (a pear-shaped guitar-like instru- Fried Chicken restaurant! Listening to
ment), strings and keyboard, creating the Middle Eastern melodies, she came
a meditative sound at times. Currently, to realize her musical talents were be-
besides acting as cantor at Fire Island ing stifled by her Orthodox lifestyle.
Synagogue, Basya is music director At that time, she had not yet formed
and cantor at Romemu Brooklyn. Its her first band, which later was known FELDMAN
mission is to create a place where mu- as “Band Anonymous.” Influenced by
sic can empower us, cause us to feel music from folk traditions of the Mid- WEALTH ADVISORY
more deeply, and be of service to the dle East, she came to realize that West
world. She is also associated with a African music is the “mother” of Egyp-
group called Darshan, whose project tian music. Other influences were Ara- JOSEPH M. FELDMAN, CFP ®
is to bring Jewish mysticism to prayer bic, Turkish, Israeli, Chassidic, Gypsy CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ PROFESSIONAL
through music. And she is part of an and random forms of Eastern music.
ensemble at B’nai Jeshuran’s Shabbat In time, she formed the group she is 941.260.9174 | JFELDMAN@FELDMANWA.COM | www.feldmanwa.com
services in Manhattan, where she plays known for today, Pharaoh’s Daughter.
unique instruments such as the darbuka So how did the band get the name INVESTMENTS FINANCIAL PLANNING INSURANCE
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(drum), riq (tambourine), frame drum Pharaoh’s Daughter, which attracted SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH VALMARK SECURITIES, INC. MEMBER FINRA, SIPC. INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH VALMARK
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instrument). with her name, Basya. According to
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