2015/2016 Holy Blossom Musical Heritage Concert Series

Click image above to download the complete 2015/2016 Musical Heritage Concert Series brochure

Dear Friends and Congregants,
It is my extreme pleasure to announce the 2015 / 2016 HOLY BLOSSOM MUSICAL HERITAGE CONCERT SERIES.
The sound of music is the gift of the divine. Music soothes and lifts the soul. It is the language that can create harmony among nations but it is Jewish music that bonds us together to our rich heritage and tradition. So it is this year, like in the past, that with the help of our Musical Heritage Committee I have been able to attract and gather a multitude and unique program for our musical year. The beautifully designed brochure clearly points out the special attention and care in which we planned the musical activities this year. Two bookend concerts will hold the intensity of our musical season.
The opening concert is a co-presentation with Stagecraft: “THEY TOOK MANHATTAN” – Monday, November 23rd at 8:00 p.m. presents a cabaret performance which features National Post award-winning critic Robert Cushman hosting outstanding internationally known actors, singers and musicians Alana Hibbert and Mike Nadajewski (Shaw and Stratford Festivals), Gabi Epstein (Funny Girl) and Michael Therriault (The Producers). With Musical Direction by Lily Ling and overall production by Alan Gordon and Eric Kirsh. An Evening to Remember! celebrating Broadway’s greatest Jewish composers from Gershwin to Irving Berlin to Rodgers and Hammerstein and beyond.
Our closing concert is of special importance to me personally because of my work and connection to Germany in the area of reconciliation and rebuilding relationships. I was able to collaborate with Jewish Music Week Toronto to bring the “HANNOVER SYNAGOGAL CHORAL” on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. A magnificent German choir passionately dedicated to bring life to the glorious western European Jewish music tradition. These two concerts are presented with the collaboration of JMW (Jewish Music Week Toronto).
Three remaining programs are designed and scheduled to enhance and elevate our worship services.
Friday night, SHABBAT CHANUKAH – December 11, 2015 during our regular Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6 p.m. we will feature NESHAMAH CARLEBACH AND JOSH NELSON, two outstanding, celebrated, artists and musicians, who invigorate both young and old with their energy and ecstatic emotions.
Friday evening, SHABBAT SHIRA KABBALAT SHABBAT, January 22, 2016. As in the past, our Shabbat Shira has been geared toward the younger generation. Two energetic young, capable, spirited musicians, Rabbi Noam Katz and Dr. Mark Weinstock, very well known in our community and in particular, here at Holy Blossom Temple, will spiritually lift our Friday night worship in a unique and tasteful way, followed by a Shabbat concert program.
“A DIFFERENT NIGHT” celebrating a “MODEL SEDER” Erev 7th Night of Passover Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 6 p.m. followed by the Seder. Innovatively woven in with the “HAGADDAH SUITE” music by SRUL IRVING GLICK, scored for choir and string quartet. This indeed is an opportunity to combine tradition with art thus creating a unique, spiritual, religious experience.
Please come out and support us by sponsoring, by bringing guests and by helping us galvanize a sacred community.
Beny Maissner
Cantor