Tikvat Israel is excited to announce our annual concert will feature Nefesh Mountain, a nationally-renowned Jewish bluegrass band. We will also honor Shirley Waxman and Joel Bressler for their many years of service to our congregation and the wider Jewish community.
Formed in 2015, Nefesh Mountain bridges elements of American folk and Appalachian bluegrass with Celtic folk and Eastern European melodies. Their 2021 album, Songs for the Sparrows, was inspired by a trip lead singers Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg took to Eastern Europe with their families. They said the trip ignited a sense of pride in their heritage as Jewish Americans, leading to songs on the album that they dedicate to their ancestors. Doni formerly led the Mama Doni Band, which won the Simcha Award at the 2008 International Jewish Music Festival.
Doni also has a special link to Tikvat Israel. Her family were members at Beth Tikva, one of our founding congregations, and she celebrated her bat mitzvah here before moving to Philadelphia.
Where there is art, music and dancing, that is where you’ll find Shirley Waxman and Joel Bressler. Through their many years as Tikvat Israel members, their work and contributions are evident everywhere. Shirley’s talent as a fabric artist is seen in the artwork on our walls and in the dozens of tallitot that she has handcrafted for our members and many others in the area. Joel’s beautiful voice and kavanah have enhanced our services as he has served us as hazzan on many Shabbatot and festivals. Together they have demonstrated time and again their devotion to our synagogue, the Jewish community, Israel and the Jewish people.
Our annual concerts are an important source of revenue for Tikvat Israel. Their financial success has depended on the contributions of members like you who have stepped up to be sponsors for the programs. Can you help us this year by being a sponsor?
As a sponsor, you may receive extra tickets for the concert. You can be a sponsor at several levels, and we urge you to be as generous as you can. Just a little extra from you and others will make this year’s concert a great success.
On behalf of the congregation, we thank you in advance for your support!
