CRAIG FRANKEL
CHAIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Music plays an integral role in Jewish life. It is the core of Jewish liturgy, both at the synagogue and at home. Jewish composers and performers have influenced the music and culture of the societies in which they have lived. Jewish music has been shaped by these same societies. At the Breman, we celebrate Jewish contributions to music through the Molly Blank Concert Series. This year, in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday, we will be entertained by Yemen Blues, who blends together exciting sounds from the Middle East, West Africa, and the world. Jazz musician Oran Etkin joins us to share a rich confluence of sounds captured during his world-wide travel. And, Theatrical Outfit captivates us with the American songbook of Marilyn and Alan Bergman.
On behalf of the Breman Board, staff and volunteers, I wish to express our
gratitude to the Molly Blank Fund of t he Ar t hur M. Bla n k Fa mily Foundation for it s continued sponsorship of this series, to our Concert Hosts for their generosity, and to our audience for joining us. We are glad you are here for another wonderful season of music at the Breman!
Craig Frankel
GHILA SANDERS
ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILLIAM BREMAN JEWISH HERITAGE MUSEUM
Did you notice a beautifully decorated hand on our cover? Chances are you recognized that symbol. It’s a Hamsa, a sign used throughout the Middle East that carries a multitude of meanings. Let’s start with the most basic one: the number five. Welcome to the fifth season of the Molly Blank Concert Series! Whether this is your first interaction with the Breman Museum, or you have been on this musical adventure with us from the very beginning, know that it is such a joy to share this exceptional lineup with you. We hope to spark your curiosity and give you a truly unforgettable experience. Another look at that Hamsa: an open hand. It is because of your support and generosity that we are able to create such high-quality programs, partner
with the most relevant cultural organizations in Atlanta, and bring to our stage some phenomenal talent from all over the world to highlight Jewish contributions to music in all of its forms. As far as I am concerned, the first applause goes to you, our public. Finally, the Hamsa is often associated with blessings. May this be a season that nurtures creativity, and fosters appreciation for the arts and their extraordinary power to reach across cultures and borders with their universal language. With gratitude,
Ghila Sanders
MOLLY BLANK
(MAY 21, 1915 – JANUARY 7, 2015)
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it; for I shall not pass this way again.”
Molly Blank lived her life, in word and deed, consistent with her favorite quote.
to get there. She also brought me to see free opera in Manhattan – the first one I ever saw was Aida.”
Her goals accomplished, Mrs. Blank, mother of Michael and Arthur M. Blank, died in 2015 at the age of 99.
Over the years, she developed her own artistic interests, as an accomplished painter and sculptor.
Mrs. Blank was a tough-as-nails New Yorker with a passion for the arts. From the start, family and friends say, she had an insatiable curiosity to try new things – and do them her way. She grew up on the Lower East Side of NY and always carried strong memories of attending the Yiddish theatre. After the early death of her husband, Max, she ran the family pharmaceutical business and raised her two sons in Queens, NY.
In 1997, Molly wrote her autobiography, “You Pass Through Once: The Life of Molly Blank,” to ensure her grandchildren would not be put in the same position that she had been of not knowing where her family was from or what life had been like for her grandparents. In it, she noted that her fondest wish was that h e r g r a n d c h i l dr e n a n d t h e i r descendants would live the ethics and lessons of their Jewish heritage. “In so doing they will eliminate bigotry and discrimination when they can. Justice to all will follow. With this as a guide, their lives will be meaningful and fulfilling.” Molly lived the last years of her life near her children and grandchildren in Atlanta, GA.
Her son, Arthur, often credits his mother with his early exposure to and love of the arts. “My mother brought me to the Carnegie Hall children’s series when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. We were living in Queens and we took a bus and a train
YEMEN BLUES
In 2010, singer & composer Ravid Kahalani founded the rare combination of top musicians we now call Yemen Blues. From the start, Yemen Blues created an original sound that became a new language in contemporary music. The musicians hail from NYC, Uruguay and Tel Aviv. Each member comes from a different background and brings his/her own sound and arrangements to Ravid's compositions. The result of this amazing group is a powerful energy that mixes Yemenite, West African and Jazz influences. The mambo and North African rhythms create a joyful and deep foundation, while the vocals remind the listener of ancient Arabic chants mixed with funk & blues. Dubi Lenz, the well-known Israeli journalist, was the first to listen to
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Yemen Blues’ music. He immediately felt the power of the project and helped get Yemen Blues an appearance at the influential festival and expo - Babel Med - in Marseille, France. The band received a hugely positive response from people all over the world and the name “Yemen Blues” began to spread like wildfire. After touring the world and performing hundreds of live shows in 2015, Yemen Blues recorded their second album, Insaniya (Humanity), produced by the legendary producer Bill Laswell. Yemen Blues has been called “the most exciting and unique live show you can see,” by several news outlets, including National Geographic, Time Out Chicago, NPR and many more.
ORAN ETKIN
Oran Ektin has been described as a "great clarinet player" and "an excellent improviser" by the New York Times music critic, Ben Ratliff, and a "composer of eminent individuality" by his mentor and teacher, the legendary Yusef Lateef. His music is featured on several CDs, including a Grammy Award-winning compilation CD. Etkin's unique sound on the saxaphone, clarinet and bass-clarinet emanates from an openness to discovery in the world, in himself and within his music. Deep respect and honest, personal, musical expression are themes that tie together all of Etkin's work - in composition, performance, recording and in his educational work through his Timbalooloo organization. Oran began playing piano at the age of 5, violin at 8, saxophone at 9 and clarinet at 13. He began studying with
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renowned saxophonist George Garzone at age 14 and later with Yusef Lateef. He studied classical clarinet and composition as an undergraduate and received a masters in Jazz performance at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Dave Liebman and Dave Krakauer, among others. Oran is grateful to have had the opportunity to perform around the world with his own groups, as well as musicians ranging from guitarist Mike Stern and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba to rapper Wyclef Jean. Through years of experience in a myriad of musical cultures, Etkin has developed a unique sound on the clarinet, bass-clarinet and saxophone that draws on ancient traditions from Africa, Israel, New Orleans and beyond, yet resonates with the driving energy of the current New York Jazz scene.
THEATRICAL OUTFIT
Legendary lyricists Marilyn and Alan Bergman are among the most accomplished songsmiths within the Great American Songbook. Their greatest hits have been made famous by Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Sting, Shirley Bassey, Sarah Vaughn, and many more. Their music has pervaded our culture, yet even with three Oscars (for "The Windmills of Your Mind," "The Way We Were," and the score for "Yentl”), multiple Grammys, Emmys, and dozens of other accolades, their names are not widely known to the general public.
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This concert paints a picture of the couple’s arc as writers for stage, TV, and film by presenting their unabashedly romantic and powerfully heartfelt songs alongside amusing and poignant anecdotes. The cast and band feature seven accomplished local musicians and musical theater veterans. Sing along to dozens of your favorite songs and learn about how the Bergmans created classics that range from “Papa Can You Hear Me?” to the TV theme song from “Alice.”
ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL AJMF was created by native Atlantan Russell Gottschalk and a dozen visionary Jewish and community leaders in early 2009 under the a u s p i c e s o f L i m m u d A t l a nt a +Southeast. It was created to feature contemporary Jewish music in an effort to entertain and educate the general public on Jewish culture and unite Atlanta’s young Jewish community through the power of music. This cultural initiative is now launched as a separate non-profit entity with its own board of directors and paid staff. Based on the successful Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF, founded 2001), AJMF was established to expand innovat ive Jewish programming for the greater Atlanta community. Launching programming in 2010, AJMF’s first year included an extended artist residency with Israeli
Hip-Hop duo Axum (MarchApril, 2010), a one-day Spring Festival (June 6, 2010) and a Rosh Hashanah Party featuring local performers (September 22, 2010). Now entering its ninth season (201718), AJMF is a year-round producer and promoter of 60+ diverse and engaging Jewish music experiences annually, including the Spring Festival (March 8-25, 2018), artist residencies, listening parties, open mic events, community partnerships and more. Additionally, AJMF maintains consistent contact with its fans through its website, social media platforms and online connections, fostering dialogue that helps visiting artists attract a larger audienc e, ed ucat e s a you ng constituency and creates a greater interest in contemporary Jewish culture.
RUSSELL GOTTSCHALK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL An Emory alum (’07 BA Film and Music) and native of Atlanta, Russell Gottschalk is the full-time director and founder of AJMF. In 2009, Russell became inspired to start the South’s first Jewish Music Festival after spending three years with Atlanta’s successful Jewish Film Festival. As a young Jewish professional in Atlanta, he hopes AJMF will engage
and unify the Jewish community, creating a unique forum for interaction the region has yet to experience. Russell is an avid cyclist and can often be found in and around his Reynoldstown community, where he lives with his wife, Mimi, and their big, beautiful dog, Cannonball.
THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF ISRAEL TO THE SOUTHEAST Despite its small size, Israel's storied history contributes to its vibrant and culturally diverse character.
innovation, and strives to steer a course between Israeli particularism and universalism.
Four thousand years of Jewish heritage, over a century of Zionism, and more than half a century of modern statehood have contributed to a culture which has created an identity of its own, while preserving the uniqueness of 70 different communities.
The constant search for cultural identity is expressed through energetic creativity in a broad range of art forms appreciated and enjoyed by a great many people as part of daily life.
A largely immigrant society, Israel’s creative expression has absorbed many different cultural and social influences, as it blends tradition and
The mission of the Cultural Affairs department is to bring the best and most exciting of Israel’s culture to the Southeast region.
JUDITH VARNAI SHORER
CONSUL GENERAL OF ISRAEL TO THE SOUTHEAST Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer was appointed in July 2015 to serve as the Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States. Ambassador Varnai Shorer is a nearly 40year veteran of the Israeli diplomatic corps. She is a former ambassador to both Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as a former Minister of Congressional
Affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. Her most recent post was desk director at the Center for Policy Research.
ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL An annual celebration of the music, culture and art of jazz begins in April and culminates each Memorial Day weekend, with a music festival featuring jazz artists from all over the world. This year’s festival takes place Saturday, May 26th and Sunday, May 27th in Piedmont Park. The mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival is to expose and entertain a diverse audience of jazz aficionados, young jazz enthusiasts and aspiring musicians to the rich heritage and
variety of jazz as an authentic form of American music. Atlanta Jazz Festival (atlantafestivals.com) is produced by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (ocaatlanta.com). The festival is FREE and open to the public. Atlanta Jazz Festival is funded through the support of corporate sponsorships as well as Atlanta Jazz Festival, Inc., a non-profit entity dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Atlanta Jazz Festival.
CAMILLE RUSSELL LOVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CITY OF ATLANTA OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS Since 1998, Camille Russell Love has directed the artistic and cultural programming for the City of Atlanta. As Executive Director, she guides the cultural and artistic vision of the Chastain Arts Center and Gallery, the City’s Public Art Program, Gallery 72, Elevate, Contracts for Arts Services, the Cultural Experience Project and the Atlanta Jazz Festival, which, year after year, continues to be one of the nation’s preeminent free jazz festivals.
quality of life and provide cultural and art opportunities to all citizens and visitors.”
In October 2010, the Office of Cultural Affairs was recognized by proclamation from the Atlanta City Council for “unifying Atlanta’s cultural community through programs and cultural experiences that enhance the
Camille earned a B.A. in psychology from Wake Forest University and attended Duke University Law School. She is a proud mother of three and a grandmother of two.
As a result of the cultural enrichment Camille Love has helped bring to the city, Atlanta was chosen as one of the Top 25 Arts Destinations by American Style Magazine. Arts for Learning honored her as one of three 2015 Luminaries: Champions of Arts in Education.
THEATRICAL OUTFIT Theatrical Outfit, Atlanta’s second oldest professional theatre company, was established in 1976 by a company of actors and has made its way from a converted laundromat in Virginia Highlands to a one-time Five & Dime store in Midtown to, in 2004, its permanent home, the Balzer Theater in downtown Atlanta. An extensive renovation and restoration of Herren’s, the first Atlanta restaurant to voluntarily integrate in 1963, The Outfit’s stateof-the-art 200-seat theater is the first in the United States to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The company produces a seasonal average of six plays, musicals, regional and world premieres, a yearly summer youth camp, a new play festival, and a Southern Writers Onstage reading series – varied and dynamic selections that consistently stir the soul. Its programming explores themes of diversity, equality, ethnicity, race, religion, and often features writers of the American South. Theatrical Outfit is deeply committed to cultivating the creative lives of artists living and working in Atlanta, envisions a compassionate, joyful and just community and produces world-class theatre that starts the conversations that matter.
TOM KEY
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Tom Key is dedicated to the theatrical art form as a catalyst to creating community. He has served as Artistic Director of Theatrical Outfit since 1995, where his drive to tell “stories that stir the soul” in the heart of downtown with the best artists of the city has developed the company into one of Atlanta’s major performing arts institutions.
A few of Tom Key’s notable directing credits include Big Fish, Aurora/TO co -production of Memphis (Suzi Nominee), and Horton Foote’s Dividing the Estate (ArtsATL “Best Production of the 2013-2014 Season).
As an actor, he has appeared in over 100 productions, from off Broadway to Los Angeles, and is one of Atlanta’s most celebrated performing artists. He has received The Governor’s Award in the Humanities; the Georgia Arts and Entertainment Legacy Award, Two Dramalogue Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Theater and two mayoral proclamations for his service to the city of Atlanta. The Atlanta Creative Loafing describes Tom Key as: “An actor with such energy that even standing still, he seems to quiver like a divining rod.”
THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS! The Breman Museum greatly appreciates the generosity of our supporters. Listed below are our 2017 Circle Level members (updated January 1, 2018)
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL ($5000) The Argo Fund Amy & Robert Arogeti Beth & Joel Arogeti Jeanette Arogeti Jane & Mitch Durham Barbara & Larry Perlis Spring & Thomas Asher The Blonder Family Foundation Lois Blonder Suzanne & Michael Blonder
Dale & Jeff Dyer Elinor Breman The Dinerman Philanthropic Fund Kim & Michael Dinerman Laura & Marshall Dinerman Jennie & Alex Medeiros Jarvin Levison Billi & Bernard Marcus The Rosenberg Family Foundation Karen & Mark Musa
Dulcy & Jerry Rosenberg Karen & Kenneth Rosenberg Michelle & Alan Rosenberg Carol & Robert Nemo Marlene J. Schwartz The Zaban Foundation Carol & Laurence Cooper Laura & Marshall Dinerman Sara & Robert Franco Judy & Lester Miller
Laurie & Michael Kogon Sara & Ross Kogon Jennifer Proffitt Marilyn Eckstein Lana & Richard Krebs
Barbara & Sanford Orkin Judith & Mark Taylor William Weiller
Doris & Martin Goldstein Jack B. Gordon & Peter Gordon Lynne & Jack Halpern Pearlann & Gerald Horowitz Leslie & Doug Isenberg
Dedi & Julian Mohr Mimi Monett Robin Rodbell Suzanne Wilner
Cary Goldenthal & Lori Shapiro Barbara & Jerry Greenbaum Diane & Marc Hamburger Lila & Douglas Hertz Edwina & Wyatt Johnson Barbara & Alan Kaplan Carole & Sidney Kirschner Cathy & Jeffrey Korotkin Steve Kuranoff & Cathy Selig-Kuranoff Sandy & Bob London Jackie & Anthony Montag Brenda & Leon Novak
Cathy Papadopoulos Daniel Pentecost Phyllis & Sidney Rodbell Virginia & Milton Saul Joyce & Henry Schwob Linda & Stephen Selig Joyce & Irving Shlesinger Phyllis & Stanley Slutzky Stanley Srochi Susan Stern Halina & Aleksander Szlam Connie & Robert Zerden
GUARDIAN ($2500) Elaine & Miles Alexander The Cohen-Kogon Charitable Fund Pam & Alan Cohen Tova & Mark Cohen Judy & Martin Kogon
CHAI ($1800) Ellen Arnovitz & Michael Plasker Shirley Blaine Arthur Blank Ronit Walker & Matt Bronfman Sally & Samuel Coolik
BENEFACTOR ($1000) Candy & Stephen Berman Goldie & Lou Bertone Shirley & Perry Brickman Lisa & Ron Brill Judy & Ronald Cohen Ann & Jay Davis Howard Fagin Ellen & Howard Feinsand Jana Eplan & Craig Frankel Rachel & Curt Friedberg Murray & Lynn Friedman Barbara & Burton Gold
If you believe there is an error or omission in this list, please contact the Membership Department at 678-222-3758.
IF YOU ARE READING THIS YOU ARE ALREADY ATTENDING ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS. SO MAKE IT OFFICIAL:
BECOME A MEMBER! Unlimited free general admission for 1 year Discounts on paid programs, classes and workshops Invitations to members receptions for new special exhibitions Exclusive Breman E-newsletters Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia Membership 10% discount in the Museum Store
2017-2018 Elaine Alexander Cherie Aviv Judy Bauer Cohen J. Samuel Coolik Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Karen Lansky Edlin Howard Fagin Rachel Finglass Elissa Fladdell Craig M. Frankel Curt S. Friedberg Leslie Isenberg Evan Kananack Adam Koplan Lana Krebs Joslin LeBauer Hank Lewin Anita Lynn Cathy Papadopulous Leanna Rinzler IJ Rosenberg Jerry Rosenberg
Lori Shapiro Carla Silver Jeannette Zukor
Susan Aquino Office Manager/Bookkeeper 678-222-3737 saquino@thebreman.org Jeremy Katz Director, Cuba Family Archives 404-870-1862 jrkatz@thebreman.org Rachel Katz Director, Membership & Visitor Services 678-222-3758 rkatz@thebreman.org Michelle Langer Holocaust Speaker Coordinator 678-222-3707 mlanger@thebreman.org Rabbi Joe Prass Interim Director, Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education 404-870-1865 jprass@thebreman.org Jennifer Reid Group Tour and Volunteer Manager 404-870-1632 jreid@thebreman.org
Lindsay Resnick Assistant Archivist 678-225-8904 lresnick@thebreman.org Ghila Sanders Acting Executive Director 404-870-1861 gsanders@thebreman.org David Schendowich Director, Marketing & Communications 678-222-3732 dschendowich@thebreman.org Isabel Schneider Development Coordinator 678-222-3742 ischneider@thebreman.org Laurie Sedicino Curator 404-870-1632 lsedicino@thebreman.org Julie Zeff Community Engagement Coordinator 678-222-3724 jzeff@thebreman.org Ariana Yandell Visitors Services Coordinator 678-225-3700 ayandell@thebreman.org
EMERITUS Miles Alexander Spring Asher Thomas J. Asher Lois Blonder Elinor Rosenberg Breman Laura Dinerman Gail H. Evans Peter Fishman Carole Goldberg S. Jarvin Levison Valerie Needle Carol Nemo A.J. Robinson Marlene J. Schwartz Joyce Shlesinger Judith Taylor Norman Zoller
One of the leading places to visit in Atlanta, GA, the Breman Museum connects people to Jewish history, arts and culture. Our museum is home to the permanent exhibition Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years, 1933-1945; and the Blonder Gallery and the Schwartz Gallery – each hosting a variety of traveling and rotating exhibitions. The museum library and Cuba Family Archives add to our Atlanta-based attractions while The Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education provides a meaningful educational resource for students, teachers, and lifelong learners.
The Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education at the Breman welcomes approximately 13,000 school children annually to explore the history and the lessons of 1933 – 1945 Europe by emphasizing the Jewish response during the Holocaust. The Summer Institute for Teaching the Holocaust has reached hundreds of teachers from around the region and provided instruction on how to teach the Holocaust in classrooms.
The Cuba Family Archives for Southern Jewish History at the Breman serves as one of the largest repositories of papers, oral histories and memorabilia related to Southern Jewish life in the region. The CFA holds over 2,000 manuscript collections, over 20,000 photographs, and approximately 1,000 oral histories spanning Jewish life throughout Georgia and Alabama.
For more information, please visit www.thebreman.org or call 678.222.3700.
The Molly Blank Concert Series Celebrating Jewish Contributions to Music is made possible through the generosity of: Concert Hosts:
Cherie and Gary Aviv Shirley Blaine
Lois Blonder Marilyn Eckstein Gloria and Kenneth Friedberg Rachel and Curt Friedberg Ann and Marvin Goldstein Doris and Martin Goldstein Pearlann and Gerald Horowitz
Jarvin Levison Carol and Robert Nemo Dulcy and Jerry Rosenberg Joyce and Henry Schwob Judith and Mark Taylor Jeannette and Michael Zukor
In-kind support has been provided by:
1440 Spring Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, TheBreman.org (678) 222-3700