If your idea of Jewish music is a hora at a wedding, or cantorial davening on a holiday, or maybe even klezmer at an occasional concert, then come to a free program at Newburyport’s Congregation Ahavas Achim on May 17 at 4 p.m. to mark American Jewish History Month.
The program, “American Jewish Music: The Story Behind the Songs,” will feature an interactive, multi-media presentation by Hal Slifer, the host of WERS radio’s popular Sunday morning show, “Chagigah Radio.”
During the hour-long program at the synagogue at 53 1/2 Washington St. in Newburyport, you can laugh, sing along and reminisce as Slifer, using rare video clips and backstories, will take you through a playlist of 15 songs from Al Jolson in the 1930s to Leonard Cohen in the present that comprise a musical soundtrack not only of American Jewish lives, but the lives of all Americans who love music.
The program is jointly sponsored by Ahavas Achim, the Newburyport Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council. There is no charge, but registration at tinyurl.com/hjmcaa is requested.
