Dear Friend of Zamir,

Welcome to our first edition of E-Notes from the Zamir Chorale of Boston! We plan to send out E- Notes several times during the year and hope you'll enjoy hearing what we've been up to and what we have in store for Jewish music lovers. If you do, go ahead and forward to your friends and family (see below).

Calling All Zamir Alumni! Please join us for our second Alumni Sing, Saturday, June 3 at 9:30 pm (after Shabbat),Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street in Newton. Bring your music, voices, and enthusiasm! Admission is free with purchase of a ticket to Psalmsensation. Otherwise, admission is $5, payable at the door. RSVP by emailing [email protected].

Under the direction of Joshua Jacobson, and assisted by Cantor Jack Mendelson, Zamir performed a 20- minute program of songs from the camps and ghettos to an audience of over 1,400, including numerous diplomats and hundreds of Holocaust survivors from around the world. "I wanted to keep alive those voices that were silenced by the Nazis," said Jacobson, who offered moving commentary during the concert. The entire ceremony was simulcast live over the Internet and can be viewed by clicking here. Be sure to scroll down to January 27, 2006, Special Event, Archived Video.

Zamir and Koleinu - Together at Last! Zamir joined forces for the first time with conductor Carol Marton and Koleinu: The Jewish Community Chorus of Boston on Sunday, March 18 at Temple Reyim in Newton. The evening concert featured a set by each group, followed by a lively performance with all 100 singers, capping a spirited afternoon of singing and socializing. "It was a pleasure to finally share the special joys of Jewish choral music with our friends in Koleinu," said Josh Jacobson. "I hope this is the beginning of a long tradition." Both choirs are in residence at Hebrew College's Jewish Music Institute.

Here's to Tradition. Earlier in the season, on February 26, Zamir performed an hour-long concert for residents at Hebrew SeniorLife and their families. Many audience members in the packed sanctuary at the Roslindale site clapped, sang along, and, in one case, danced to some of their favorite songs, including "Rozhinkes Mit Mandlen" and "Dona, Dona," among others. "It means so much to us to bring the highest quality of choral music to those in our community who can no longer travel to hear us," said Jacobson of the annual event.

Greatest Hits Now Available on CD! In celebration of its 36th anniversary, Zamir announces its Greatest Hits compilation -- together on one album, the "Zamir mix" that has been delighting audiences for nearly four decades. On the playlist are Big Band crossover hits such as "And the Angels Sing" and "Ba Mir Bistu Sheyn"; Shabbat songs "Shalom Aleikhem" and "Eshet Hayil"; liturgical favorites by Rossi, Lewandowski, and Finkelstein; Israeli and Yiddish folk songs; David Burger's passionate Zionist anthem "Tikvateinu"; and the signature rock 'n' roll versions of "Dayeinu" and "I Have a Little Dreydel."

This recording is bound to be your favorite Zamir disc! Makes a perfect gift for graduation or any family occasion!

Stay tuned for future E-Notes and hope to see you at our concert on June 4!