I have been proudly associated with The Village Temple on West 12th Street in Lower Manhattan for 9 years. My dear friend and colleague, Rabbi Chava Koster, heard me at a concert at The Center for Jewish History and invited me to do a concert at The Village Temple, then occasional services and finally to co-lead High Holiday Services with her at Cooper-Union. The hall is rented yearly for Yamim Noraim as their own sanctuary is too small to accommodate the 1500 to 2000 people who attend services. It was 2001 and just a month after 9/11. You can imagine the intense emotions, the grief and loss of all those present after the tragic events of that day. During the afternoon memorial service, following a reading of all the names of deceased congregants, family and friends, I sang the El Male Rachamim (prayer for the departed) and could barely keep the tears out of my voice. Since then, I have been invited back yearly as Cantorial Soloist for their High Holiday Services.
I feel deeply connected to this wonderful and caring community and it is with gratitude that I offer this special benefit concert and all its proceeds to The Village Temple. Even in the midst of this awful recession, with many congregants unable to pay their yearly dues, Rabbi Koster has made sure that no one is turned away and that help be provided to those in greatest need. This is true religion. Actions, not words and posturing. I am proud and honored to be a part of The Village Temple. I hope you will attend the concert and lend your support to this very special center of worship and good works.
I feel deeply connected to this wonderful and caring community and it is with gratitude that I offer this special benefit concert and all its proceeds to The Village Temple. Even in the midst of this awful recession, with many congregants unable to pay their yearly dues, Rabbi Koster has made sure that no one is turned away and that help be provided to those in greatest need. This is true religion. Actions, not words and posturing. I am proud and honored to be a part of The Village Temple. I hope you will attend the concert and lend your support to this very special center of worship and good works.
“Treasures of World Song” traces the surprising and exotic musical synergies to be found in some of the world’s great oral traditions. A diverse and fascinating program of folk and popular songs in some dozen languages from North and South America, France, Spain, England, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, Morocco and The Balkans, will tell a rich musical story and promote the cause of cross-cultural appreciation and understanding. Gerard Edery interprets this repertoire as a living legacy, combining stylistic authority with an immense creative and re-creative flair. From joyous hymns of celebration to poignant ballads of love, from flamenco-inspired pieces to holy works of praise, Gerard’s instrumental virtuosity, rich baritone and masterful arrangements will create an unforgettable musical experience.
"....a master of Sephardic Song...." NY Times
Your being part of the High Holy Day services has added beauty & grace to more lives than you can possibly imagine. You brought me to a place with religion that i did not know existed. Thank you for all that you are, you enrich this world and it is appreciated.
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