While we are busy planning the SECOND annual Boston Jewish Music Festival for March 6-20, 2011, I'd like to share some of the incredible successes we accomplished this past year. And all of it was made possible by everyone who attended events, by the artist who performed, by the volunteers, the donors both large and small, the custodians, the sound technicians, the printers. So many people had so much to do with this incredible success.

• Over 5000 participants

• 17 Concerts and Workshops 

• More than 20 Program Partners

• Events held across Greater Boston in Boston, Cambridge, Dedham, Framingham, Natick, Sharon and Waltham

• Over 8000 Web Site Visits

All this, on a just a shoestring budget.

Keep checking in on this blog for festival anecdotes and updates on future plans. And please share your favorite festival stories here, too.

We are. Tickets selling, programs printed. Some of the musicians are already in town--others on their way. We're so grateful to those who have believed and supported, volunteered and helped us make this all happen.

Great two-page spread in today's Boston Globe G section (see the online version here:

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2010/03/05/jewish_artists_see_boston_music_festival_as_a_different_way_to_explore_their_culture/

 Also, last week's Boston Phoenix: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/97500-jew-note/ 

 And in this week's Jewish Advocate.

 And don't miss Sunday's family concerts: Peter & Ellen Allard at the MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham (2 PM); Yehuda Katz at Berger Hall Temple Israel in Sharon (3 PM); and Shira Kline and ShirLaLa at the JCC in Newton (1 PM). What a weekend.

 The excitement is palpable, we're revved up, still gotta' iron a shirt. See you there!

Jim

The Boston Phoenix has published a terrific article on the Music Festival. A big shout out to Jon Garelick for his fine work that captured so much of the spirit. Nice picture of Ruth Dolores Weiss, too! Hope you have your tickets--they are going fast!

You can read the article here: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/97500-jew-note/

Jim 

What a concert! Last night (Sunday), nearly 400 folks of all ages heard the fabulous Israeli trio HABANOT NECHAMA, one of Israel's most popular groups. It was the pre-concert of the BJMF, co-sponsored by Temple Aliyah  and Temple Beth Shalom of Needham and the Israeli Consulate.

 An outstanding show! These three women have amazing voices with terrific range and harmonies, singing erverything from gentle love songs to reggae to silly, fun show stoppers. A strong contingent of Israelis were in the audience (including Consul General Nadav Tamir, who was grooving in the back of the room) who were obviously loyal fans (the person behind me sang many of the lyrics). But those who didn't know their music were enthralled. The audience rose to its feet as one at the end--and, of course, the women did an encore.

 It was a memorable kick-off for the Festival, but also a signature evening of great Jewish music by three outstanding Jewish artists. Thank you Yael, Dana and Karolina!!

If you missed this, you missed something special. But don't worry--more is coming. Tickets will go on sale shortly and our mailer, with the whoile schedule and ticket information, is at the printers now. Watch your mailbox--and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter which will have all the details. You can sign up right here on our web site. Don't be left out, 'cause this was just the beginning.

Jim

Well look at that. Some very nice media coverage in the Newton Tab. Yes, that's my jukebox in the background. I think we it was playing Patsy Cline (not Kline or Klein) singing WillieNelson's Crazy. Which must be what Jim and I are to be doing this. http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x1145288106/Newton-resident-co-producing-Bostons-first-Jewish-music-festival
 

But the Festival has received some incredible financial support over the last two weeks and everything planned will be officially announced after January 1.

Just a quick note. The major marketting push for the Festival will kick off in January. But our program line-up is just about to be officially confirmed. So be sure to have all your friends register their email list with us.

Also, as the year comes to an end, here's a subtle reminder that ANY DONATIONS MADE TO BJMF ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. Subtle, eh?  You can give on line, just by clicking on  http://bjmfestival.org/index.php/you-can-help.

 And as you get ready Chanukah,  here is a lively version of a Flory Jagoda holiday classic (not by Flory but Daddo has great hair!).

I attended the Union for Reform Judaism's Biennial a week ago (full disclosure: I'm a member of their North American Board and on several commissions for the Reform movement). Held in Toronto, more than 3,000 Reform Jews gathered for five days of learning, meetings, worship, workshops, being together...and some pretty amazing music. Kudos to Josh Nelson, in particular, who was music director for the entire week. (Josh, as you may know, grew up in the Boston area and attended BU--now he's living in Brooklyn and touring extensively; he's one of the most exciting and powerful performers in Jewish music.)

The Saturday evening highlight of the Biennial was a musical/mixed media event entitled "Faithjam," created by well-known Jewish musician Craig Taubman, and it was extraordinary. It brought together: a slew of Jewish musicians; an Arabic singer and music ensemble; an African American Gospel Choir; a Japanese drumming group; and the 50 voice biennial choir, along with dance video and spoken word. It was, as the program said, "An interfaith celebration designed to build bridges of cultural exchange between various faith communities."

And that it did! Imagine a woman cantor and an Arabic singer standing together singing; a guitar playing Jew and a Gospel choir in harmony; an imam, minister and rabbi exchanging blessings in their own languages and joining arms beneath the rabbi's tallis. The music was powerful, and the connections were palpable and strong. It brought everyone to their feet, clapping, crying, singing... together. It also kicked off an anti-hunger project, with audience members taking home bags to pack with groceries.

It was a perfect example of the power and connection that perhaps only music can bring. The spirit that enables us to transcend difference and lifts us to new heights and a different place. Which is precisely why we are planning the Boston Jewish Music Festival. Our aim is create a way to connect, lift and empower us all through Jewish music. A way to celebrate and create harmony. We hope you'll join us in this venture. (And PS: we're talking to Craig Taubman about replicating Faithjam here in Boston in the near future).

Jim

It is through our music, our literature, our art, drama and dance that we tell the story of our past and we express our hopes for the future. Our artists challenge our assumptions in ways that many cannot and do not. They expand our understandings, and push us to view our world in new and very unexpected ways….. 

"It's through this constant exchange -- this process of taking and giving, this process of borrowing and creating -- that we learn from each other and we inspire each other.

 And ... people who might not speak a single word of the same language, who might not have a single shared experience, might still be drawn together when their hearts are lifted by the notes of a song, or their souls are stirred by a vision on a canvas.

"That is the power of the arts -- to remind us of what we each have to offer, and what we all have in common; to help us understand our history and imagine our future; to give us hope in the moments of struggle; and to bring us together when nothing else will.  That is what we celebrate here today.”  

Michelle Obama,  September 25, 2009

Thank you, Mrs. Obama. You have expressed why having a Boston Jewish Music Festival is so important.  Now, more than ever, we need the creativity, the joy, and the inspiration that great art offers us.  Whether you dance down the aisle to Golem and the Klezmer Conservatory Band or bask in the beauty of Bloch's choral masterpiece, The Sacred Service, you can help make this Festival happen.