Tep and Zamir enjoy a laugh; Andrew Mattfeld, guest conductor

On June 22, Zamir and Safam,

the renowned pop-rock group, performed at a joint concert at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley to honor beloved community leader, former board chair, and longtime Zamirnik Alan "Tep" Teperow upon his retirement from the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts. The Chorale kicked off the evening with Nick Page's "K'Ayal Ta'arog" and our own Andrews Sisters' version of "Ba Mir Bistu Sheyn," with Susan Rubin singling out the very "sheyn" Tep. Then Tep himself took the reins as bass soloist for "Der Rebbe," and the group treated the revelers to Rutter's moving musical embrace, "The Lord Bless You."

Tep takes the stage with Zamir and Safam.

Safam, now in its 43rd year, grew out of Dan Funk's and Alan Nelson's participation in Zamir way back when. Now the six-man band is known worldwide for their Jewish-American music in various styles: rock and roll, pop, folk, Latin, Chassidic, and cantorial. Other members include Joel Sussman, Cantor Robbie Solomon, and Mark Snyder. Their rousing set got the audience clapping with "Just Another Foreigner" and "Bashanah Haba'ah." Former board chair Joyce Bohnen offered a tribute to Tep, standing in for Josh, who is recuperating from surgery (he's doing well). The assembled crowd enjoyed a slideshow of Tep's life as he offered his own comments and reflections.

The two groups joined forces to close the celebration with Cantor Solomon's arrangements of "Pit'chu Li" and "Yah Ribon Alam." Safam took the stage again for their ever-popular parody of "Adon Olam," set to the tune of "Blue Moon," with Tep doo-wopping along. Thanks, Tep, for all of your gifts, and best of luck as you step into new ventures!

Middle East Harmonies at the State House Plus Chorus America Convention on June 18 

Zamir with the Jerusalem Youth Chorus at the State House. Senate President Stan Rosenberg (far left), State Senator Cynthia Creem (second from right), and Consul General Yehuda Yaakov (far right) also attended the performance.

On June 18, Zamir was privileged to participate in two truly special events in downtown Boston. First up, we joined the phenomenal Jerusalem Youth Chorus of the Jerusalem International YMCA in a performance at the Massachusetts State House. The YMCA JYC empowers young singers from East and West Jerusalem to become leaders for peace in their communities by providing a space where they can engage one another in musical and verbal dialogue.

State Senator Cynthia Creem presented Andrew Mattfeld, Zamir's assistant conductor, and Micah Hendler, JYC's founder and conductor, with an official citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate in recognition of "Your building community by bringing people together through song and for your first performance in the Massachusetts State House with the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus."

Following a memorable tour of the State House, the choruses convened at the foot of the Grand Staircase to perform. Zamir offered Lewandowski's "Mah Tovu," "Kafe Bekef," and "Salmo 150," as part of the short program. The JYC's jubilant set included a piece they composed themselves, a demonstration of their East-West collaboration; as well as deeply felt improvisational solos offered by each member. Finally, the groups joined together for "Adinu" and "Akanamandla" (We Have the Power), then walked out into the audience in a spontaneous encore of a song loosely translated as "We Are the Ones We've Been Waiting For," resulting in a sparkling and moving community experience. Thank you to State Senator Creem for sponsoring this event.

 State House photos by Abigail Searle

Later that day, Zamir reconvened to perform at a lecture-recital titled "Great Choral Music on Jewish Texts," as part of the annual Chorus America conference, held at the Boston Park Plaza. Rav-Hazzan Scott Sokol presided, reading Josh's remarks and serving as guest soloist along with Cantor Peter Halpern. Andrew Mattfeld conducted, with Ed Swanborn on piano. Highlights included Schiller's "Halleluhu," with Cantor Louise Treitman; Janowski's "Sim Shalom," with Cantor Halpern; and Milhaud's "Kedushah," with Rav-Hazzan Sokol. Jonathan Miller, who was composer Max Janowski's assistant, was in attendance, and offered wonderful reminiscences of growing up in Janowski's synagogue.

Auf Wiedersehen to German Consul General Schütte  

On May 18, Zamir's chamber singers performed as part of a special farewell event for outgoing German Consul General Rolf Schütte at the Goethe Institute in the Back Bay. The short program included Nick Page's arrangement of Jagoda's "Hamisha Asar"; Holländer's "Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuss auf Liebe eingestellt," with Dietrich-esque soloist Anne Levy; and Oakland's "Kafe Bekef," with Susan Rubin, soloist. The singers, accompanied by Zamir's own Ed Swanborn, surrounded Consul General Schütte for Rutter's "The Lord Bless You" to close out the touching tribute. At the sumptuous reception, Consul Schütte shook each choir member's hand in thanks and told some singers that it meant a great deal to him to have Zamir perform. Vielen Dank and alles Gute!

Interfaith Song at the Newton Arts Festival

Left to right: Cantor Peter Halpern, Josh Jacobson, Linda Plaut, Rabbi Eric Gurvis, Gloria Gurvis

On May 17, Zamir performed for the Newton Arts Festival, in a concert held at Temple Shalom in Newton. This interfaith concert was designed to bring together cantors and choirs from throughout Newton. The event was hosted by Temple Shalom's Rabbi Eric Gurvis, with music directors Cantor Peter Halpern, Joe Fort, and Joshua Jacobson. Gloria Gurvis served as chair of the festival's executive committee, which was headed by Linda Plaut, from the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs.

Following greetings from Mayor Setti Warren,

Newton Mayor Setti Warren

the combined choirs offered Page's sing-along "There's Honey in the Rock," followed by "Adinu," by Abu-Khader and de Quadros. Community choirs contributing their talents included First Unitarian Society in Newton, conducted by Anne Watson Born; Grace Episcopal Church of Newton, conducted by Joe Fort; St. Ignatius Church, conducted by Michael Burgo; and the Love Tones from the Myrtle Baptist Church of West Newton. Zamir was delighted to have Cantor Elias Rosemberg as soloist for Lewandowski's "Mah Tovu," and Cantor Peter Halpern as soloist for Janowski's "Sim Shalom." The entire group sang Lazar's arrangement of "Amen Shem Nora" to top off the spirited, and spiritually meaningful, festivities.