Temple Israel will hold a fund-raising “Klezmer Concert for Ukraine” on Sunday, April 3, at 1 pm, in the synagogue building. Klezmer Local 42, of Athens, GA, will perform. The concert will be held in person at Temple Israel and live-streamed. Attendance is free, but donations of any amount are encouraged in lieu of buying a ticket. Checks can be made out to Temple Israel with “Ukrainian Fund” noted in the memo field. The event will also include a bake sale with all proceeds going to the fund. The concert is sponsored by Temple Israel and made possible by the contributions of the Rozen Foundation and Klezmer Local 42, which will perform at no cost. For information on viewing the concert on Zoom, contact the synagogue office at titammy@stny.twcbc.com. 

Klezmer Local 42 features musicians Dan Horowitz on upright bass and vocals; Noel Beverly on mandolin and vocals; Bud Freeman on clarinet; Eddie Glikin on percussion and vocals; Philip Kohnen on accordion and vocals; and Gregory Sanders on drums. To learn more about the band, visit its website.

“The world has been watching enthralled in varying degrees of distress at the war in Ukraine,” said concert organizers. “We have seen acts of bravery and strength from everyday citizens. Sitting in our relative comfort in the United States, we are blessed with the freedoms and relative safety of our lives. As Jews, we strive to help with tikkun olam, to repair the world, and to provide our share of tzedakah, charity. Helping our fellow Jews and our fellow humans is woven into the fabric of being Jewish. We at Temple Israel have been afforded an opportunity to provide an avenue for our community to come together to help show support for Ukraine and help raise some funds for Ukrainians. We invite you to join us for a wonderful event of klezmer music, food, a chance to help Ukraine, and maybe a chance to relieve some stress through some klezmer dancing.”