TODAY: Note two films and one lecture with sing-along on Sunday, August 4!
Fall is just around the corner. Is this the year you will finally study some Yiddish? Classes begin this month and next in the East Bay, South Bay, and San Francisco!
If you play an instrument, how about improving your klezmer skills? Check out the five workshops described below.
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Yiddish-Related Films at SF Jewish Film Festival
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KlezCalifornia co-presents these films
Use code KLEZCAL39 for $2 discount on your on-line ticket purchase
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When a friend sent Ronit a viral YouTube video of an Austrian driver smuggling refugees over the border and singing songs with them in Yiddish, she knew there was a story to be told. Hans Breuer, the driver, is the protagonist of the film "Refugee Lullaby." He spends his free time helping refugees any way he can, while singing to them Yiddish lullabies to comfort them.
Sunday, August 4, 12noon, Piedmont Theatre, Oakland
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Anna and Adam, a young Parisian couple with Jewish origins, are about to travel to Poland for the first time. They are just married and technically speaking this will be their honeymoon. They will attend a ceremony in memory of the Jewish community in the village of Adam's grandfather, which was destroyed 75 years ago. Adam is not really enthusiastic, but sees it as an occasion to spend some quality time with his wife, away from their baby boy. Anna, on the other hand, is both extremely anxious and overly excited about the trip to her grandmother's country. She is hoping to reconnect with her roots and finally discover more about her own family's history, which was always a mystery.
Sunday, August 4, 11:45AM, Smith Rafael, San Rafael
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DOWNTOWN KLEZ KOOPERATIVE
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Please join KlezCalifornia for a special workshop
with Yoshie Fruchter
visiting from New York
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 3:30-6:30pm
Kehilla Community Synagogue
1300 Grand Avenue, Piedmont
(in the Sanctuary: use main doors)
While we study and experience the amazing history and heritage of klezmer, Jewish music and culture, this workshop is an opportunity to begin writing the future. With Tzadik label recording artist Yoshie Fruchter, explore some new compositional directions that have been taken by boundary crashers and adventurers like John Zorn, Frank London, Uri Caine, and Marc Ribot. We will use some of the traditional themes and nuances of Jewish folk music and incorporate whatever new elements we can come up with, including rock, jazz, metal and the avant-garde. Join us as we run Yidl's
Fidl through a sonic blender!
The workshop is suitable for instrumentalists on all instruments, likely at the more advanced level. Registration is $25 (sliding scale, i.e. whatever you can pay) in cash or check at the door. Listeners welcome; donation requested. Light snacks provided.
Bring a recording device or a music stand if you want. Brass players should bring a mute.
Please RSVP to
jams@klezcalifornia.org
and include date/location of session, your name and instrument, and any questions. Or just show up!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS - SAVE THESE DATES!
With Cookie Segelstein
Sunday, September 8, 12:30-3:30pm, Jewish Community Library, SF
With Jeanette Lewicki
Sunday, September 22, 2-5pm, Chochmat HaLev, Berkeley
With Rob Reich
Sunday, October 27, 12noon - 3pm, Private home, Palo Alto
With Dan Cantrell
Sunday, November 10, 2-5pm, St. Albans Episcopal Church, Albany
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Klezmer workshops in 2019 are made possible by a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund,
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Surdna Foundation.
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Yiddish Classes Begin
in August and September
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EAST BAY
Check Lehrhaus Judaica's
course catalogue in mid-August. Offerings will include:
* Beginning Yiddish, with Ken Blady, Mondays, 7 - 8:30pm, starting 9/9,
JCC East Bay
* Elementary Yiddish (101), Mon through Friday, 11am - noon
* Readings in Yiddish (103), Tuesday and Thursday, 11am - 12:30pm
SOUTH BAY
SAN FRANCISCO
Workmen’s Circle/
Arbeter Ring
ongoing classes:
* Beginners Yiddish I, every other Friday 1-3pm
* Beginners Yiddish II, every other Friday, 3-5pm
San Francisco Public Library, SF
Fridays 4-5:30pm
Openhouse LGBT Senior Housing, Community & Services
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Farshidns
Tidbits of Yiddish culture from around the world
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Nigunim Chorus, based in the East Bay, is now scheduling auditions. Chorus repertoire includes some Yiddish songs.
Bay Area klezmer band Led Tzedek looking for clarinetist and drummer. Contact
Sean Sawyer.
Klezmer and Folk Dance Tour
of Romania October 21 - November 3 , with Henry Sapoznik. Benjy Fox-Rosen, Merlin Shepherd, and Lee Friedman.
(Thanks to Ed Anisman)
Yiddish Wedding Hop
:
The Archives of Song Collector Ruth Rubin, by Eleonore Biezunski and Lorin Sklamberg
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Through Sunday, August 4
Oakland and San Rafael; see above
Sunday, August 4, 1:30-3:00pm
Congregation Netivot Shalom, Berkeley
Sunday, August 18, 3:30-6:30pm
Kehilla Community Synagogue, Piedmont
Sunday, August 25, JCC Berkeley
(afternoon/family friendly)
Monday, August 26, Oakland Freedom Jazz Society @ Pro Arts
Tuesday, August 27, Congregation Beth Jacob, Oakland
Wednesday, August 28, Gold Lion Arts, Sacramento
Thursday, August 29, Red Poppy Art House, SF
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Thursdays 10am-11:30am
Chochmat HaLev, Berkeley
Thursday, September 5, 6:30pm
Schroeder Hall, Sonoma State University, Cotati
Sunday, September 8, 12:30-3:30pm
Jewish Community Library, SF
Sunday, September 15, 2-4pm
Private home, SF
Tsvey Brider
(Two Brothers, that is: Anthony Russell and Dmitri Gaskin)
Thursday, September 19, 6:30pm
Schroeder Hall, Sonoma State University, Cotati
Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22
Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley
Sunday, September 22, 2-5pm
Chochmat HaLev, Berkeley
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Jacob Koff:
Three of my grandparents were born here but becoming American meant being Jewish was the religion only. They did not think Yiddish important enough to teach to their descendents. Our home was devoid of Yiddish literature (in any language) and music. My father, who played 4 instruments and (to my later surprise) knew traditional Yiddish songs, never played them or taught them to us. When he bought me the
Yiddish Fake Book, I fell in love. The more I played, the more crushing the realization of what was lost. Thank goodness for those who work to preserve this beautiful culture.
View KlezCalifornia's
Honor Wall
. Become a donor to post your tribute.
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Help us continue our exciting mission to connect people and communities around the Bay Area with Yiddish culture.
If you prefer to mail a check, use the address below.
A sheynem dank! (Thank you very much!)
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A bisl mer
(a little bit more)
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