Choral groups to sing in Pittsburgh

NEW HAVEN — Singers from 20 chapters of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir, including HaZamir New Haven, joined HaZamir Pittsburgh for a free concert on May 19 at Temple Sinai in solidarity with the city of Pittsburgh.

Joey Breslau, 17, a member of HaZamir Pittsburgh, said, “In the wake of tragedy, the most important way to show support is by being a part of the community. I can’t think of any act more nurturing of relationships than choral singing.”

Below, HaZamir teens from the Bergen County, Boston, Cleveland, DC, Manhattan, Miami, Philadelphia, and Westchester chapters of HaZamir talk about the significance of the Pittsburgh concert.

The concert included the music of Nurit Hirsh and the Pittsburgh premiere of two new works—by Cantor Gerald Cohen and HaZamir Alumnus Samuel Rosner. The concert showcased Jewish musical styles from across the globe and throughout history.

Matthew Lazar, the founder of HaZamir in 1993, and conductors from various chapters of HaZamir, conducted. The concert was sponsored by The Zamir Choral Foundation. Created by Matthew Lazar, the Foundation promotes Jewish choral music as a vehicle to inspire Jewish life, culture, and continuity across generational and denominational lines. It sponsors HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir, comprised of 29 chapters in the U.S. and 10 in Israel, and the HaZamir Chamber Choir. Vivian Lazar is the director of HaZamir.