From Where I Sit
By Vivian Lazar
The defining characteristics of every HaZamir season are the main characters themselves - our HaZamir teens who focus and absorb all that their extraordinary conductors teach them. Intense 2-3 hour rehearsals don't intimidate HaZamir singers. They are content to leave their cell phones elsewhere, while they work with the many talented conductors who bring them to greater and greater levels of excellence. Each 
additional HaZamir season brings singers to higher level of musical achievement. By senior year, HaZamirniks are seasoned choral singers ready for any adult choral experience.
 
Music is not the only end game in HaZamir, but a portal into the other half of the HaZamir mission which is modeled at our 4 day Festival. HaZamir teens demonstrate their leadership skills as they build a pluralistic community that embraces all Jews. Our love of Israel is fostered in facilitated discussions between our American and Israeli HaZamirnikim.
 
This year's HaZamir Festival was distinguished in so many other ways, as well. HaZamir teens and staff fueled their creative juices, adding twists and surprises to the many activities offered each year. There was Jodi's Teen Leader song, Kelly's hilarious hygiene song, Mati's tearful tribute to the graduating Israeli 12 th  graders entering the IDF, the guided meditation that Stephanie provided to the parent chaperones and Rabbi Gil's establishment of a sacred space for every HaZamir teen, regardless of his or her level of observance.
 
The 4 day HaZamir Festival ended on the stage of Carnegie Hall in a triumphant concert, which was larger than any before. With a 400 voice ensemble, some might have thought we would sacrifice nuance and interpretation. Instead, our teens sang- forte to piano-with a professionalism that is rarely seen on any stage, bringing the audience to its feet on many occasions.
 
As we do each year, the Zamir Choral Foundation commissioned a new piece of music for this concert, but this year, our composer was an 18 year old HaZamir singer, Samuel Dylan Rosner, who wrote a majestic composition that 400 singers mastered and performed by heart.
 
Our distinguished honoree of the evening, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, was presented with the Kinor David Award by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, last year's honoree. After stating how inspired he was by the young people on stage, he gave his own powerful performance of the anthem, Techezaknah. He was accompanied by 3 "back- up singers" of note - Matthew Lazar, Jay Lefkowitz (concert co-chair with his wife, Elena) and Steven Lorch, (president of the Zamir Choral Foundation) and the 400 voices of HaZamir.
 
How do we top all this? Stick around and you'll see!
 
Wishing everyone a Chag Pesach Sameach!
 
After almost four years with HaZamir, Ellie Reis, who wears many hats as the Director of Teen Activities, is bidding us farewell. Ellie has been a valued member of our team and her contributions to HaZamir have been numerous. The special relationships she has built  with the HaZamir teens are deep and she will be missed by them and, of course, by us. We wish Ellie luck in her new endeavor and we know that HaZamir will always be with her and she will always be with us at HaZamir.
2016 HaZamir Festival and Gala Concert
On March 31, nearly 400 singers from  31 HaZamir Chapters, gathered in upstate New York for a rehearsal retreat weekend in preparation for the Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall.   The weekend was filled with music, laughter, and total JOY!







Video of the HaZamir Gala Concert
V'hi She'amda
V'hi She'amdah
Conducted by Erika Schon  of  HaZamir Baltimore
Accompanied by  Cantor Michael McCloskey  of HaZamir Boston on Piano
HaZamir
Conducted by Cantor Audrey Abrams of HaZamir Minneapolis/St. Paul
Avodah VaAretz
Conducted by Scott Stein of HaZamir Manhattan
Soloists are Chloe Brown of HaZamir Miami, Maya Behiri of HaZamir Long Island and Ariana Finkelstein of HaZamir Pittsburgh
Accompanied by Dr. Alan Mason of HaZamir Miami on Piano and Aaron Troy on Tof
Dayenu
Conducted by Cantor Joel Caplan of HaZamir North Jersey
Accompanied by Cantor Gerald Cohen (Composer) on Piano
Read " Musical Magic at Carnegie Hall:  The Powerful Lessons of HaZamir,"  an article by 
Rabbi Gerald C. Skolnik, ZCF Vice President
in The Jewish Week
HaZamir's Havdalah and Staircase Sing
Mazal Tov

Beth Anne (Prupis Kern) Avezov,  Alumna of HaZamir Manhattan (2000-2006), 
on the arrival of baby girl, Naomi Vera

Liat Lemberger, Alumna of HaZamir Manhattan (2000-2006), 
on her engagement to Gilad Abada
Icon for Newsletter linking to ZCF Website