Tapestry of Jewish Music
Sunday, August 11, 2024
In collaboration with the Israeli American Council
On Sunday, August 11th, Dr. Green and the LAJS players embarked on a musical journey that explored the rich diversity of Jewish music from various regions of the world, with a special focus on inspiring melodies from Israel.
The audiance enjoyed the exotic sounds of music from the Sephardic and Klezmer traditions, as well as beloved tunes from Israel, all presented in unique arrangements for string quartet, clarinet, and piano. Dr. Green shared unique insights into the music.
The evening was emotional and cathartic for all involved.
The concert featured:
Mark Kashper, Violin
Carolyn Osborn, Violin
Michael Larco, Viola
Barry Gold, Cello
Zinovy Goro, Clarinet
Wendy Prober, Piano
Cantor Jaqueline Rafii, Featured Guest
Meet our Featured Guest:
Jacqueline Rafii is the Senior Cantor of Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue (VBS). She also serves as the music director for the Synagogue, Day School, Religious School, and ECC. She is best known for her creative, multi-generational musical initiatives that invigorate and build community. She is delighted to work with longtime VBS member Dr. Noreen Green, who conducts the new VBS Community Choir, which performs at special events and holidays at VBS throughout the year.
Prior to joining VBS, Cantor Rafii served for five years as the Cantor of Shomrei Torah Synagogue (now Hamakom LA). She was ordained as a Hazzan and earned her Master’s in Sacred Jewish Music from the Academy for Jewish Religion California. For her Master’s thesis, she conducted original fieldwork on preserving, notating, and sharing Persian Jewish prayer melodies. She performed many of these pieces in her senior recital, Kol Haneshama, available on YouTube.
Prior to becoming a cantor, Jacqueline Rafii earned her JD from UCLA School of Law and practiced entertainment law. Given her passion for Jewish culture and music, her transition to the world of music was natural. She is a published composer and pianist, performing Jewish music in Hebrew, Ladino, Farsi, and English. Her diverse experiences and talents have been recognized through her participation in the Wexner Graduate Fellowship. Cantor Rafii currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Lev, and their daughter, Adira.
About our Collaborators:
The IAC Los Angeles office initiates and supports a variety of innovative programs, events, projects, and initiatives for Israeli-Americans from all age groups, in the Los Angeles area. The IAC Los Angeles office serves an estimated 250,000 Israeli-Americans who reside throughout Greater LA. Through our activities and initiatives, we fulfill the IAC’s mission of activism, contributing to the empowerment of the Israeli-American community at large, facilitating, and strengthening the Jewish and Israeli identity of the next generation while also reinforcing support for the State of Israel.
The IAC Shepher Community Center, located in Woodland Hills, established in 2016, provides a vibrant hub for our local Israeli-American and Jewish American community members. Creating a physical gathering space to engage and unite Israeli-Americans and contribute to the broader Jewish community. We offer a variety of classes and events for adults and children of all ages.