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Hear the Future at FIRST TAKE

Saturday, June 1, 2013 - 2:00pm - 5:30pm

Location:

Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Hear the future at FIRST TAKE, a workshop of new American operas-in-progress,

presented by The Industry, LA’s home for experimental opera,

and sponsored by

Hammer Museum, wild Up, and the Jewish Music Commission of Los Angeles

Image relating to Breath in a Ram’s Horn: The Jewish Spirit in Classical Music

Sunday, April 21, 2013 - 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Location:

Valley Beth Shalom 15739 Ventura Boulevard Encino, CA

A unique opportunity to hear composer Daniel Asia talk about the relationship between Classical Music and Judaism, together with a liberal playing of his music, particularly that which has been inspired by Jewish texts.

Image relating to Hava Nagila (The Movie)

Sunday, March 17, 2013 - 7:20pm

Let's Go to the Movies!

The Helfman Institute Today

Friday, January 25, 2013 - 8:00pm - Sunday, January 27, 2013 - 8:00pm

Cantor Baron's remarks at Shabbat Shira January 25, 2013 tell the remarkable journey of the Max Helfman Institute for New Jewish Music.

Image relating to TENTH ANNUAL INTERFAITH SYMPOSIUM

Sunday, March 10, 2013 - 1:00pm

Location:

Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church - 505 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

The Tenth Annual Interfaith Symposium and Concert - THE PSALMS - IN THE PAST, IN OUR LIVES - will be the most prominent of its type this year. Don't miss it! It's really a fun afternoon as well as a great learning and listening experience.

Image relating to Shabbat Shira 2013 - A Presentation of the Helfman Fellows

Saturday, January 26, 2013 - 7:30pm - Monday, January 28, 2013 - 7:30pm

Location:

Friday, January 27th, VBS; Saturday 28th, Temple Aliya; Sunday 29th, Wilshire Boulevard Temple

The Fellows of the Max Helfman Institute for New Jewish Music present a weekend of exciting new Jewish music.

"Singing and music have always been a way for me to express who and what I am and the best part of it, is that it’s so much fun." Paul Dorman grew up in Paterson, New Jersey and was educated in orthodox yeshivot until attending Connecticut College in New London, CT and the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in Manhattan. He began singing as a young boy in temple and made his theatrical debut as one of the children in the opera Carmen at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey.

An invested cantor, Hazzan Dorman studied under Hazzan Nate Lam and Hazzan Meir Finkelstein and began his cantorial career under Hazzan Finkelstein at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. There he helped create progressive award winning services such as "Friday Night Live" and "Torah In The Round". At Temple Ramat Zion, where he served as cantor for seven years, he continued that tradition, creating, with Rabbi Michael Graetz, the award winning book and CD "Pray In Deed", the award winning "Kolot" service and "Shabbat Sings".

The New Jewish Community Children’s Choir Resumes

The Jewish Community Children's Choir is starting the Spring semester, with a new Westside location added!!

Click here for the latest information.

Shabbat Shira Music Available Online!

We are very excited to be able to share the wonderful music created by our first cohort of Helfman fellows.

Musings from the Bay by Rita Glassman

Rita Glassman | Sun, January 9, 2011

It seems to me that composing and praying are very similar. There is an individual component, as well as a collective one. Our focus and "kavanah" (intent) must be very deep and sincere whether in a moment of inspiration or not.

Even though the prayers are set before us as are the musical scales, rhythms, keys, we must find a way to make them new, to give them life, breath and meaning. It's a matter of entering the unknown with brazen courage, faith and commitment. more

Musings on Being a Helfman Fellow

Michael Gill | Thu, January 6, 2011

I grew up hearing stories about Max Helfman and enjoying his memorable melodies. My family still sings his candle blessing melody and beautiful Havdalah service. To be a part of a twenty-first century rededication to the creation of Jewish music, in Max Helfman’s memory, is a truly tremendous honor. more