Page 25 - Jewish News_April 2020

JEWISH INTEREST April 2020 25A

Let My People Sing!

By Arlene Stolnitz
ith Passover approaching, not our level of knowledge but rather with free time/nap time in between. everyone! In song and solidarity! Yash-
the name of the group Let the depths of our hearts. As it turns out, Then another song session followed by er Koach to all!

WMy People Sing! caught my one key to finding that space is through dinner at 6:45 p.m. Community Sing/ Arlene Stolnitz, founder of the Sara-
eye recently. After researching it, I dis- music. The group’s goal is to strive to Ma’ariv precedes Havdalah. At 9:30 sota Jewish Chorale, is a member of
covered this is not a group connected create a model that rewrites the script p.m. there is a Participatory Concert the Jewish Congregation of Venice. A
to the holiday at all. Instead, like many in ways that allows many to unlearn for all. Having attended similar retreats retired educator from Rochester, New
other Jewish choral groups, Let My messages received earlier. Singing in in the past at the North American Jew- York, she has sung in choral groups
People Sing! (LMPS) is a group of community encourages listening to one ish Choral Festival, I can tell you the for over 25 years and also sings in
people who love another, blending voices and building camaraderie does not end there. After a The Venice Chorale. Her interest in
to sing and whose something collaborative… to respect full day, the fun continues into the early the preservation of Jewish music of all
mission is to sing and trust not only ourselves, but each hours of the morning with singing and kinds has led to this series of articles
music of diverse other. dancing until one can no longer stand. on Jewish Folk Music in the Diaspora.
Jewish traditions How did the group start out? Much What a wonderful experience for
from ancient to like the Sarasota Jewish Chorale,
contemporary which also started 20 years ago, the
songs. But this project began as an experiment. Five Every woman
is a group with friends came together to run a week-

a difference. All end-long retreat dedicated to sharing
Arlene Stolnitz about inclusion, and singing Jewish music. To their sur- matters here.
this unique group will get together prise, 150 people signed up that first

this summer at the Isabella Freedman summer to sing in Hebrew, Ladino, The Women’s Giving Circle [ “Ma’agal
Jewish Retreat Center in Canaan, Con- Yiddish, Arabic, Aramaic, English and Nashim”] is a giving circle that empowers
necticut, for a week of singing and Spanish, wherever Jews have dwelled
camaraderie. in the diaspora. women as funders, decision makers and
LMPS is a group that considers This year, the co-created week- agents of change. Each member contributes
music as medicine. Music levels the long experience already was sold out $518, and each has an equal voice in
playing field. It has the ability to free in February! Through the years, more directing our funds. The giving circle model

and heal the soul. Everyone can be a than 200 workshops have been pre- multiplies individual actions, creating a
leader and learner of song. Building a sented. At the retreat, one might hear tremendous collective impact.
community of song should be intergen- Baghdadi-Indian melodies of Shabbat
erational and inclusive. At the center presented by Rahel Musleah, who in- In the last five years, we have distributed
of this community are the voices of troduced Sarasota Jews to the distinc- more than $236,632 in grants to
those who have been marginalized in tive music of India and Iraq a few years nonprofits in Israel that help women and
the Jewish community. That includes back at the Federation’s Women’s Pass- children of all backgrounds live safer,
queer Jews, Sephardi and Mizrahi over Seder. Other workshops abound healthier and more meaningful lives.
Jews, Jews of color, transgender Jews, such as Yiddish songs about Moshiach,
Jews with disabilities, indigenous Jews Syrian Piyutim, How to Engage Chil- Our Mission
and even Jewish women. Most orga- dren in Song, Improvisational Singing, To enhance the lives of Jewish women and children
nizations do not include “the other” at Judeo Arab Song, Yemenite Song and who are in need of help and live in Israel.
the center of their programming. While A Queer Nigun Project Circle (Allies
anyone is welcome to attend, the em- Welcome). There is even a reference of

phasis is definitely on the marginalized music for Jews who are in prisons.
group. As a result, those who have not A typical Shabbat day at the retreat
always been welcomed and have not includes 7:00 a.m. yoga followed by
had access to Judaism, have found a breakfast, then Shabbat services until Contact Jeremy Lisitza at 941.343.2113
way to express themselves. lunch at noon. The afternoon consists or jlisitza@jfedsrq.org
God receives us as we are, judging of two song sessions (or workshops)
Voices of the THE PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM/ SUNC O A S T

HOLOCAUST PMP Alumni: Around Town
PRESENTS

PMP Alumni String Quartet
Holocaust, Genocide Inspiring Speakers: OUTDOOR POPS: selections by Haydn, Dvorak, Beethoven and Caroline Shaw
and Tolerance Education Admission includes musical performance followed by reception with the artists

GEORGE ERDSTEIN Iconic Songs of the 70s Tickets: $15 and up; 18 & under FREE
RIFKA GLATZ

HELGA MELMED May 8-9 Ed Smith Stadium
DAVID MILBERG

GINETTE HERSH

Sophia Anna Szokolay Dae Hee Ahn Lauren Siess Audrey Chen
SWEARINGEN
1,912 Sarasota-Manatee AND KELLI Friday, April 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM Sponsored by
students learned about Venice Church of the Nazarene
1535 E Venice Ave, Venice
the Holocaust from (10+ Group Discount available)
survivors last year #NEVERFORGET Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 3:00 PM Sponsored by

Sarasota Art Museum*
Listening to your heart-wrenching story, I started Ringling College Museum Campus
to tear up. Your story of survival moved me and 1001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
*Museum ticketing rates apply
I will remember you for the rest of my life.
Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 7:00 PM Sponsored by
–North Port high School StudeNt
The Beatrice Friedman Theater
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
History is not just about events, 582 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota

Special appearances include:
it is about human lives. April 15 • Dali Nights at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
April 18 • Sarasota Yacht Club
Learn what “Never Forget” means, before it is too late. Experience the classic music of the 70s with favorites from
Invite a Holocaust survivor to your school, synagogue or library. James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, The Eagles, Neil

To book a speaker contact Anne Stein Young and more. The powerful vocals of Swearingen and
Holocaust Speakers Bureau Coordinator • luvhula@gmail.com Kelli highlight a beautifully orchestrated collection of hits Tickets: PerlmanSuncoast.org • 941-955-4942
such as Fire and Rain, Landslide, You’ve Got a Friend
and more. The concert in the ballpark concludes with a
spectacular fireworks display. Tickets sold by the Orioles.
Help us support the future of classical music!

jfedsrq.org Tickets from $15 April 28-29 • NOON TO NOON
GivingPartnerChallenge.org • Search for PERLMAN
941.371.4546 SarasotaOrchestra.org | 941-893-6300 Gifts $25-$100 eligible for 1:1 match! Contact us for details!

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