Od Yishama at gala

FRED TISCHLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

Seattle band Od Yishama will share the stage with Rabbi Yosef Benarroch at Congregation Beth Hamidrash's gala fund-raiser on Feb. 25.

The event, A Festive Sephardic Evening with Rabbi Benarroch, will celebrate Sephardi culture and include a keynote address by Benarroch entitled From Efrat to Jerusalem; Life on Israel's Front Line.

Od Yishama band leader Asaf Erez said he looks forward to bringing the sounds of the Sephar-di world to Schara Tzedeck's Wosk Auditorium for the gala event. Erez, an Israeli of Yemenite ancestry on his father's side and German on his mother's, said that his band, like his family, has roots that span the Jewish world. To these roots, Erez has grafted elements of jazz, swing and rock and roll. For the event, however, Od Yishama will perform a uniquely Sephardi repertoire, with melodies drawn from the Jewish communities of North Africa, the Middle East and Israel.

Jewish music lovers may remember Erez's spirited performance at Beth Hamidrash's Night in Morocco last October, which celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish community of Morocco. On that occasion, Erez joined Rabbi Ilan Acoca to perform a wide selection of Moroccan Jewish songs in Hebrew and Arabic. Others may be familiar with Erez and Od Yishama from performances at an ever-increasing number of simchah events in Vancouver.

Gala organizer Elizabeth Nicholls said she's counting on the music being as harif (hot and spicy) as the gourmet Sephardi meal that will be served at the event. "Asaf really rocked at the Night in Morocco," Nicholls said, "and I know he'll rock for us again on Feb. 25th."

Proceeds from the event will go towards the completion of Beth Hamidrash's synagogue. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 604-872-4222.

Fred Tischler is a member of the Beth Hamidrash board and a gala organizer.

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