Two local choirs and a noted speaker will headline a special program honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Black History Month. “Joining Voices” will take place on Sunday, Feb. 4, and will feature the voices of the Shireinu Choir of Long Island and Voices of Victory, the Gospel Choir of St. John’s University.
Dana Arschin, three-time Emmy-award-winning journalist and the first-ever storyteller for the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County will be the keynote speaker at the event at Temple Beth El of Great Neck at 5 Old Mill Road in Great Neck.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, a museum and center dedicated to building a better tomorrow by teaching about the dangers of antisemitism, racism, bullying and all manifestations of intolerance.
In addition to teaching about the Holocaust, the museum promotes a resistance to prejudice and advocates respect for every human being which are sentiments held dear by King.
St. John’s Bread and Life, established over 40 years ago to combat food insecurity in Brooklyn and Queens, has served over 20 million meals to those in need.
“Joining Voices is a beautiful example of what can happen when people unite under the umbrella of shared values,” said Nigel W. Gretton, conductor, Voices of Victory.
A key part of the concert will be a performance of “Martin’s Dream” by David Burger, based on Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech.
“Even though this work has been performed many times, it has always been the composer’s dream to see a Jewish choir and a Gospel choir combine in fellowship to perform the piece publicly,” said Deborah Tartell, conductor, Shireinu Choir of Long Island. “I am honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Gretton to make the composer’s dream a reality,” she concludes.
Keynote speaker Dana Arschin, 3X Emmy award-winning former on-air TV reporter and fill-in anchor for Fox 5 and News 12, is the first-ever Storyteller for the HMTC.
As a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, Ms. Arschin interviews survivors to preserve their unique and compelling stories for future generations. For the concert, she will discuss the longstanding relationship between the Jewish and Black communities and how their music has always shared elements.
The Shireinu Choir of Long Island, under the direction of Deborah Tartell, was established in 2017 to celebrate Jewish culture and history through music.
The choir has performed at many venues in greater metropolitan area, including Citifield and the U.S.S. Intrepid where they were invited to sing The Star Spangled Banner. “Music has been called the universal language for a good reason.
It allows everyone to express their desire for a better world without regard to religion or politics. The shared appreciation of the beauty in the song is a powerful force in bringing people together,” adds Ms. Tartell.
Voices of Victory, under the direction of Nigel W. Gretton is the official gospel choir of St. John’s University.
Composed of some of the most talented singers and instrumentalists at the university, Voice of Victory boasts an international membership from more than seven countries.
“Joining Voices” will be held at Temple Beth El of Great Neck, 5 Old Mill Road, in Great Neck The concert will begin at 7:30 P.M. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by visiting www.showtix4u.com and search Shireinu Choir of Long Island.
