Berkshire rabbis march in Journey for Justice
Great Barrington — From August 1 to September 16, America’s Journey for Justice – the NAACP’s historic 860-mile march from Selma, Ala., to Washington, D.C. – will mobilize activists and advance a focused national advocacy agenda that protects the right of every American to a fair criminal justice system, uncorrupted and unfettered access to the ballot box, sustainable jobs with a living wage, and equitable public education. Rabbis Neil P.G. Hirsch and Jodie Gordon of Hevreh of Southern Berkshire will each walk for one day in the march. Rabbi Hirsch will walk August 29 in Columbus, S.C. and Rabbi Gordon will walk September 3 in Raleigh, N.C. This is part of an effort by the Reform Rabbinate to have a rabbi walk to show support on each day of the march.
Rabbi Hirsch joined Hevreh this summer after serving for five years as a rabbi at Temple Shalom in Newton, Mass. Rabbi Hirsch also serves on the Commission on Social Action, a leadership team for the Religious Action Center in Washington, D.C. Both Rabbis Hirsch and Gordon were ordained at the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, and are dedicated to social justice and equality in their work as rabbis.
–E.E.
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Cantilena Choir auditions for 12th season
Lenox — The Cantilena Chamber Choir announces a call for singers for its 2015-16 season. The a cappella choir includes singers who possess vocal training, good sight-reading skills, and considerable choral experience. Rehearsals will be held in Lenox on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The first rehearsal will be on Wednesday, September 2 at Trinity Church. Singers are invited to sit in on the first rehearsal before committing to an audition, but must call or email to reserve a space.
The season will include four programs at Trinity Church. The Choir will present a concert of music for chorus and organ on Saturday, October 17. It will feature several of Berkshire County’s all-star organists from the American Guild of Organists’ Berkshire chapter. On Sunday, December 6 the choir will present a Christmas program including the choral music of the early Franco-Flemish school and contemporary works by Berkshire composers. January 17 is the annual Martin Luther King spirituals sing. The highlight of the spring season will be a Choral Arts New England-funded program on Sunday, May 15 featuring works by composers who were fellows at the Tanglewood Music Center in honor of the Center’s 75th anniversary.
Directing the group is Saratoga Choir Festival director Andrea Goodman. All accepted members will receive full scholarship, but must purchase their own music. Those interested in more information can email Goodman at satbchoir@yahoo.com or call her at (518) 791-0185.
–E.E.
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Film chronicles Soviet Jews’ journey to freedom
Pittsfield — At 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, in collaboration with the Berkshire Immigrant Center, will present a screening of the film “Stateless” at the Berkshire Museum. This documentary chronicles the experiences of Jews who emigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States during the breakup of former Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and who ended up in limbo in Italy as their immigration status was being determined. Some of the émigrés were resettled in Pittsfield by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.
The screening is part of this Federation’s 75th anniversary celebration and also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the resettlement of Soviet Jews to the Berkshires. Following the film, attendees are invited to partake in a Q&A session with local community members and émigrés who will recount their experiences.
There is a $5 suggested donation to see the film. Proceeds will benefit the Berkshire Immigrant Center.
–E.E.
