Louis Brier hosts Chai night

CYNTHIA RAMSAY

The River Rock Casino Theatre came alive last month, as Winnipeg's Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble brought the spirit of Israel to Richmond, in support of the Dr. Irving and Phyliss Snider Campus for Jewish Seniors, site of the Louis Brier Home and Hospital and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg (of Baltimore) Residence.

Almost 800 people came out June 19 to see not only the Chai dancers, but the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver's Or Chadash troupe, members of the King David High School choir and a videotaped message from Israeli President Shimon Peres, on the occasion of Israel's 60th year of independence.

Peres stressed that Jews around the world and Israelis had a "right to be proud," but not to be satisfied. Despite the conflict constantly thrust upon the Jewish state, it hasn't given up its democratic foundation and it continues striving to be better, said Peres. Israel has achieved numerous accomplishments and contributed much to the world, he added; what remains is to "complete the peace process."

The festive evening began before the stage performance, with the Sizzlers Fiddle Group welcoming guests as they entered the theatre lobby. The stage portion opened with a brief introduction by event co-chairs Reisa Schwartzman-Ross and Pam Wolfman and included greetings from Louis Brier Jewish Aged Foundation president Lee Purkin Simpson. A video montage, Walk the Land, focused the Diaspora's connection to Israel, which, for Jews, is "not just another country," it's "what makes our hearts beat."

Or Chadash ably warmed up the audience for the main act, the Chai Folk Ensemble, which gave an energetic, colorful, culturally rich performance, featuring pieces from around the Diaspora, including Africa and Europe. The ensemble's gifted instrumentalists and vocalists complemented the talented dancers, and more than one number had the audience either clapping or near tears, such was the emotional range of the group's repertoire. The numerous costumes were all gorgeous.

The stated mission of the Louis Brier Jewish Aged Foundation is "to provide and distribute funds for maintaining and fostering the well being of the Jewish seniors in our community." Dvori Balshine, the foundation's director of development, told the Independent that all of the profits from the Chai evening will go to the foundation's responsibility to burn the mortgage of the Snider Campus. To date, about $1.5 million has been raised toward the goal of $1.8 million.

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