IDF musicians lead off Israel’s birthday bash in Portland

By Jewish Review

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Portland-area Jews and others can join in the celebration of Israel’s 60th birthday this year with a series of four events co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Three of the four events are free.

The lead-off event is set for April 1 when Israel’s Yarden Trio comes to Portland to perform at a free concert at the MJCC.

The Yarden Trio comprises three distinguished young musicians who are meeting their military obligation to their country by serving in the Israel Defense Force’s special program for excellent musicians.

The trio began working together in 2006. Each of them continues to study music at the Buchman-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv while they also fulfill their service obligations.

Cellist Noa Ayali, violinist Nitzan Vigdorovich and pianist Raviv Leibzirer are all native Israelis.

The Buchman-Mehta School has produced many distinguished musicians. Its symphony orchestra, under the direction of the universally acclaimed Maestro Zubin Mehta, performed a Holocaust concert at United Nations Headquarters in New York last January.

Ayali began playing the cello at the age of 9. During the summer of 2006, she toured Europe and the United States with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra founded by Maestro Daniel Barenboim and the late Edward Said. Barenboim describes the Divan as “a forum for young Israeli and Arab musicians to learn music and all its ramifications.” Ayali has won Israel-America Cultural Foundation scholarships since 2005.

Vigdorovich began playing the violin at the age of 6. During the summers of 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003, she attended the renowned National Music Camp at Interlochen, Mich., under full scholarship. In addition, she has won Israel-America Cultural Foundation scholarships consecutively since 2003.

Leibzirer began playing the piano at the age of 6. He has participated in the “Maestro” competition which resulted in his playing as a soloist with the Haifa Symphony in 2003. In 2005, he won second place in the Tel Hai International Master Classes competition which resulted in his playing as a soloist with the Rishon Letzion Symphonic Orchestra.

The trio will perform at the MJCC beginning at 7:30 p.m. on April 1. Contact Josh Stein at 503-245-5641 or Josh@JewishPortland.org for more information.

Return to the MJCC on May 7 wearing your white and blue for a festive celebration of Israeli Independence Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut. There will be Israeli dancing and food. The winning entries in the youth art and poetry contest will be on view in the lobby. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Contact Jordana Levenick 503-535-3555 for more information.

On June 2, syndicated columnist and former Yale lecturer Micah Halpern will discuss Israel’s astonishing success in welcoming home to Israel Jews from around the world in an address entitled “The Ingathering of the Exiles.” This 7:30 p.m. event is free.  Contact Josh Stein at 503-245-5641 or Josh@JewishPortland.org for more information.

You’ll have to pay for the fourth event, but planners say it will be worth it to hear Col. Mirl Elsin recount the highlights and achievements of Israel’s first 60 years. Elsin is an Israeli foreign media advisor and former government spokesman.

Elsin will speak at the conclusion of the JFGP’s brief annual meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Benson Hotel. The hotel will serve dessert.

Contact Josh Stein at 503-245-5641 or Josh@JewishPortland.org for more information.

There are at least 20 other events planned for this area by other sponsoring organizations in connection with Israel’s 60th anniversary.

The next one of those is the fourth annual Portland Jewish Choral Festival at Congregation Neveh Shalom on April 6 at 3 p.m. Marking Israel’s birthday, youth, adult and senior choirs will celebrate “Israel in Spirit and Song.

Tickets for this event are $8 for adults, $5 for students and elders and $36 for patron tickets. Tickets may be purchased at the Portland Jewish Academy office or at the synagogue door on performance day. Call 503-281-0403 for more information.

Check future Jewish Reviews for more Israel anniversary celebration events.