Jewish Federation of the Berkshires     413-442-4360

History: ' The American Musical Comedy"

At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor a program exploring the history of the American Musical Comedy, with Macey Levin, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Aglet Theater Company of Taconic, CT.

Free and open to the public, Levin's presentation will be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittfield and will follow the noon, Federation sponsored "Older Adult Kosher Hot Meal Program."

With the American musical comedy recognized as a theatrical movement since the late 19th century, Levin noted that its development into intelligent and creative entertainment has unfolded over decades and that his program will trace its history from "simple beginnings" to "insightful maturity."

For more information contact Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, at 413-442-4360 ext. 15.

"South County Lunch Program"

At Hevreh: Israeli Music, July 10

A presentation of its "South County Lunch Program," at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, July 10, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor a celebratory concert of Israeli music with Diana Bergman Feld, accompanied by pianist Ruth Nodiff, at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington.

Free and open to the public, the program is followed at noon by a buffet lunch featuring cold salmon salad, gazpacho soup, cucumber, tomato, garden medley, and fruit cobbler.  There is a $2 fee for the meal, with a reservation deadline of Wednesday, July 8.

The program will reflect a combination of Old Palestinian and Modern Israeli music, bits of history, and some personal experiences.  Feld was studying in Israel at Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1949, and thus was able to celebrate Israel's first anniversary "in-country."

Feld received her BA and MA degrees in music and education from Brooklyn College and attended the doctoral program at New York University.  Nodiff received her Master of Arts Degree in Music Performance from Queens College.

For lunch reservations or further information, please call Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, at 413-442-4360 ext. 15.

Federation's 'Major Donors' to Hear Music

Larry Berke, Chair of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires "2009 Major Donors' Campaign" announced that the "Major Donor's Breakfast" will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19 at the Country Club of Pittsfield, 639 South Street, Pittsfield.

Donors who contribute a minimum of $1,000 to the Federation's 2009 "Annual Campaign" are invited and requested to send a check, by Friday, July 10 for the covert of $18 per person to: Arlene D. Schiff, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, 196 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

The 'Breakfast's' special guest will be violinist Gabriel Lefkowitz who will perform a program of solo works by Bach, Paganini, Fritz Kreisler, and Euguen Ysaye - as well as duets with his father, Ronan Lefkowitz.

From a family of violinists, Gagriel Lefkowitz' father is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and his grandfather is the noted musicologist Murray Lefkowitz, professor emeritus at Boston University.

For more information contact 413-442-4360 ext. 12

July 9: Publisher of ART TIMES

At 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will sponsor the program "Creating Work from Scratch" tracing the founding and growth of the ART TIMES, with the literary journal's publisher Cornelia Seckel.

Free and open to the public, Seckel's presentation will be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, Pittsfield and will follow the noon, Federation sponsored "Older Adult Kosher Hot Meal Program," which has a $2 suggested donation; $6 for those under 60 years of age. Reservations are required by 10 a.m.

Cornelia Seckel co-founded the ART TIMES which serves the "cultural corridor" of the Northeast in 1984.  As publisher her duties include: making business decisions; overseeing daily operations; selling advertising; and preparing the publication for printing.

For more information contact Nancy Maurice Rogers, Program Director, at 413-442-4360 ext. 15.