541.488.7716 185 N. Mountain Ave Ashland, OR 97520

Songs from the Ukrainian Jewish Heartland, Sunday, March 5, 7:30 PM

The Havurah Synagogue presents, Songs of the Jewish Ukrainian Heartland featuring Klezmer musicians Michael Alpert and Craig Judelman and singer, Sasha Lurje. As war rages on in one of the main homelands of Yiddish culture, they join together to sing the songs and tell the stories of their shared homeland.

Songs of forbidden loves, boy soldiers, the wonders of nature and looming dangers, these songs of the last centuries have sadly never been more relevant. Ukraine was also the source of the most important collections of old-time klezmer tunes. In this program three of the world’s most in-demand Klezmer musicians bring together this diverse repertoire to paint a picture of Jewish life in Ukraine and stand in solidarity with our friends fighting for their freedom.

Michael Alpert is one of the most well-known living Yiddish culture bearers, having been involved in the revitalization of Yiddish music and dance on both coasts of the US and abroad since its inception in the late 70’s. Known for his work with bands such as Kapelye, Brave Old World, Itzhak Perlman and more, the 2015 recipient of the Nation Heritage Award is joined by two of the driving forces in the thriving Berlin klezmer scene – celebrated Latvian singer Sasha Lurje and violinist, composer and arranger Craig Judelman. After teaching and performing together at klezmer festivals and workshops around the world, these artists launched this new trio in 2020, sadly playing only 2 concerts before Covid got in the way. Now they join together for a rare west coast tour to raise money and stand in solidarity with their friends and loved ones under the clouds of war.

Tickets are $18 and available here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5719996 as well as at the Music Coop, 268 East Main St., Ashland. The Havurah is located at 185 N. Mountain Ave., in Ashland. Call 541-488-7716 for more info.

Photographer: Adam Berry