A Night of Miracles
Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 4PM
Wilshire Boulevard Temple
On Sunday, December 3 at 4:00 pm Wilshire Boulevard Temple presented A NIGHT OF MIRACLES: A Community Concert performed by the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony with readings by actors Phillip Casnoff and Roxanne Hart. The evening also included a performance of the internationally acclaimed Judah and His Maccabees: A Hanukkah Gospel Story which featured composer Karen Hart.
This community concert was a musical mashup of the best Chanukah music ever written in a special performance for audiences of all ages! Followed by a jelly donut reception.
FEATURED ACTORS
Philip Casnoff
Actor
Roxanne Hart
Actress
FEATURED ARTISTS
Winner of the Song of the Year sponsored by West Coast Songwriters for her haunting ballad Mirabelle, Karen Hart is also a 2 time recipient of Music Connection Magazine’s Top 100 Artists, Best of Los Angeles Women in Music Award, a winner of the Barry Manilow /Concord Records Award for lyric writing, winner of Best Song by Los Angeles Songwriter’s Co-op and she is a 3 time winner of Best Performer by West Coast Songwriters. Karen has been honored with 4 world premiers of her music at the Los Angeles Music Center, and her songs for motion pictures have been singled out by Variety, People Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.
Enriching the experience offered to the community from the Whizin Center for Continuing Education, the American Jewish University Choir, under the direction of Dr. Noreen Green, is raising its voice. Jewish choral music has the unique ability to educate, strengthen the community and transmit Jewish heritage. Part of the AJU Choir’s concert repertoire pays tribute to the composers and musicians who helped build the legacy of Jewish music.
READ “HOLIDAY MUSIC AND MIRACLES” BY RABBI SUSAN NANUS:
When I was living in New York City, one of the highlights of the winter holiday season was the free Christmas concerts presented by various churches around the city. These musical offerings were open to the public and usually performed by small orchestras or musical ensembles of the highest caliber. The music was beautiful, the surroundings were uplifting and the entire experience transcended audiences into a place of unity and peace.
Inspired by these concerts, it has been my mission over the last few years to replicate them through a Jewish lens here at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. In other words, my goal is to present a Chanukah holiday concert in our beautiful sanctuary, open to the public with the intention of creating an uplifting, joyful experience for all. One year, we presented a 50th Anniversary Concert of Fiddler on the Roof; another year, the UCLA Orchestra and Chorus performed Handel’s Judas Maccabeus.
This year, I am delighted to present A Night of Miracles – A Special Chanukah Concert performed by the celebrated Los Angeles Jewish Symphony under the direction of Artistic Director/Conductor Noreen Green. This evening will include both new and popular Chanukah music, dramatic readings of wondrous true stories of miracles by actors Philip Casnoff and Roxanne Hart, and guest artist, Karen Hart, performing her internationally acclaimed Chanukah creation: Judah and His Maccabees: A Hanukkah Gospel Story.
This award-winning piece was performed at the Los Angeles Music Center last year, and is just one of four world premieres that Karen has been honored to present there. She is considered one of the Top 100 artists by Music Connection Magazine and winner of the Best of Los Angeles Women in Music Award. Her choral pieces are performed all over the world. You won’t want to miss her.
So, on Sunday, December 3 at 4:00 p.m., bring your family and friends to our magnificent Sanctuary to enjoy 75 minutes of pure Chanukah holiday bliss, suitable for all ages, followed by – what else? Jelly donuts for all!
-Rabbi Susan Nanus, Director of Adult Programs