A Tapestry of Jewish Music: Many Voices. One People.
The LAJS Chamber Players, in a curated program by Founding Artistic Director Dr. Noreen Green, brought together the rich and diverse sounds of Jewish music from around the world. From Eastern Europe to the Mediterranean, the Middle East to the Americas, each tradition adds its own color, rhythm, and story.
This program weaved Jewish musical expression into one vibrant, unified tapestry—celebrating the beauty of difference, the power of shared heritage, and the enduring voice of a people connected through music. Featured performers included LAJS Founding Concertmaster/LA Philharmonic violinist Mark Kashper.
The Hillcrest Chamber Suite
Composers & Lyricists from The Wall of Fame
Commissioned by
Hillcrest Country Club
Los Angeles, CA
Premiered by
The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony Chamber Players
Noreen Green, Founding Artistic Director
May 27, 2026
Medley Conceived & Arranged by
Julie Bernstein
Steve Bernstein
Stormy Weather (Harold Arlen)
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head (Hal David)
Singing in the Rain (Arthur Freed)
Come Rain or Come Shine (Harold Arlen)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Harold Arlen)
Blue Skies (Irving Berlin)
I Get No Kick From Champagne (Ralph Ranger)
It Had To Be You (Gus Kahn)
What the World Needs Now (Hal David)
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor (Irving Berlin)
Masada (Jerry Goldsmith)
The Hillcrest Country Club Composers and Lyricists Wall of Fame honors the extraordinary artistic legacy of Club members whose music has shaped American culture for more than a century. Conceptualized by member Carol Goldsmith as a growing gallery, the Wall recognizes 17 distinguished composers and lyricists whose works have enriched film, theater, television, and popular music, including numerous Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony winners and nominees.
Selection guidelines for inclusion were developed through extensive research using resources including the Library of Congress Music Division, National Film Registry, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Library, Songwriters Hall of Fame, ASCAP, BMI, records from the Composers and Lyricists Guild, and The Grammy Museum. The Wall celebrates the writers behind beloved songs, film scores, and musical theater works that continue to inspire audiences around the world.
There are so many wonderful composers and lyricists on the Hillcrest Wall of Fame. We would have loved to include each and every one of their works in our Chamber Suite, but then it would have been nearly as long as a symphony!
After compiling a list of all the songs written by these incredible writers, we
developed an overall concept and selected songs that fit our theme. Basically, we move from dark and dreary to light and uplifting. We begin with “Stormy Weather,” where it “keeps rainin’ all the time,” and from there move to “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Next comes “Singin’ in the Rain,” followed by “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and then the ever-optimistic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Blue Skies.”
From there, we move into love songs with “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “It Had to Be You,” leading into “What the World Needs Now” and the all-inclusive “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.” The Suite ends with a rousing rendition of music from Masada. It’s been a joy revisiting all of these well-known and beloved tunes!
-Julie & Steve Bernstein