Yale A Cappella Group is Coming to B'nai Israel

From Congregation B'nai Israel:

Atid Kimelman was an outstanding 2009 Millburn High School graduate, noted for his academic accomplishments, musical talents, and penchant for hiking in South Mountain Reservation along with his Hiking Club classmates.

Kimelman, now a junior at Yale University, has continued his interest in music as a member of the world-renown Magevet, a Jewish, Hebrew, and Israeli a cappella group. Magevet will appear on Friday evening, April 20, at Congregation B'nai Israel in Millburn, as part of a Musical Shabbat service. All of Magevet's 19 members are undergrads at Yale and devoted to writing, creating, and spreading beautiful music of the Jewish tradition to the far corners of the globe.

Cantor Lorna Wallach of Congregation B’nai Israel states that Magevet will participate in the Shabbat service and perform a short program.  The service begins at 8:00 p.m.  The members of the group will join the congregation for a festive Oneg following the service.  This is the first of several Musical Shabbat services at the congregation during the spring and summer months.

"This concert is a continuation of a series of meaningful and innovative musical events within the tradition of our synagogue," Cantor Wallach added. "We are pleased to host the distinguished Magevet group from Yale University and welcome the entire community to enjoy the music." 

From its inception, in 1993, Magavet has provided audiences, worldwide, with a diverse array of sounds and melodies, including the folk celebrations of the Abayudaya Tribe, of Uganda, the liturgical Renaissance arrangements, and soulful Russian melodies. Most of Magevet's music has been arranged by current or former members of the group. Performances always include a combination of old and new, near and far, and more than a modicum of humor enjoyed from explanatory commentaries! The richness of languages, including Yiddish, Ladino, German, Russian, and Hebrew enhances the program. The music of Israel, a reflection of its national history and identity, has made significant contributions to today's classical, jazz, and pop rock genres.

Magevet has appeared in Florida, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Berlin, Prague, Memphis, New Orleans, Boston and Philadelphia.

"Our members run the gamut in religious background and area of study," Kimelman stresses, "but we are united by a singular passion for our music, and this enables us to achieve a supreme harmony, both musically and socially."

Magevet has produced seven recorded albums since its inception, the latest bringing fresh arrangements of Jewish music from around the world and across time, including Yiddish folk songs, upbeat Isreali pop themes, and traditional liturgical music. It is called "Aranen," a theme of Psalm 92. The group is proud to be an innovative force in Jewish music.

Congregation B’nai Israel is located at 160 Millburn Avenue. For more information, please contact the synagogue office, at 973-379-3811. There is no admission fee.