Arab And Jewish Youth Perform Together In Park Slope

By Meaghan McGoldrick

A polyphony of music mixed with culture and education came to Brooklyn on the evening of Thursday, June 28 as 13 young Arab and Jewish musicians with the Polyphony Foundation took the stage at Beth Elohim Congregation in Park Slope as part of their U.S. tour.

The youth were welcomed by Rabbi Andy Bachman, who thanked them for being a beacon of peace and a model of acceptance in the world. They then performed lovely renditions of Bach, Barber, Grieg and Handel for the captivated audience.

The students, aged nine through 17, were led by Israeli conductor Karin Ben-Josef.

Among those present at the concert was the mayor of Teaneck, New Jersey, Mohammed Hameeduddin, who has promoted religious diversity and understanding in Bergen County. Hameeduddin is a Muslim while his deputy mayor and childhood friend Adam Gussen is an Orthodox Jew.

“The story of Polyphony reminded me of my own story in many ways,” Hameeduddin said to the audience. “Just like me and Adam are friends, these student musicians will become friends. They will become giants in their field and use their platform to break down stereotypes that exist in the world.”

Based in different areas in Israel and the Middle East, the Polyphony Foundation supports and provides educational music programs to the region’s youth, from basic music appreciation and education to more sophisticated music training.

“The interaction is cultural as well as musical,” said Craig Cogut, co-founder and chairperson of the foundation. “The more you expose these kids, their families and the areas they’re from to music, the more reinforcing and inspirational it becomes.”

The foundation provides lessons and first-hand experience to students as young as six years old while bridging the cultural gap and introducing them to music as a source for peace and community, teaching them to work together towards something bigger than their appearance and background.

“The kids are so excited to be in Brooklyn,” said Cogut, who said that he was more than happy to introduce the students to the Park Slope congregation. “Beth Elohim is a wonderful synagogue with great acoustics.”

Fifteen-year-old Yaamen Saadi has been playing the violin for almost eight years and said that his favorite part of playing is making connections with the other students.         “We rehearse almost every day,” said Saadi. “It’s a lot of work but it’s really fun to be a part of the program.”

Both Saadi and fellow violinist Feras Machour recently were awarded first prize in the prestigious Paul Ben Haim Music Competition in Israel, marking the first time ever that Arab students won the Israeli government-sponsored award.

“The kids are amazing,” said Cogut. “Exposing what we do with them to an American audience is educational for both the students in the program and those in the audience.”

When touring the states, the young international musicians spend their time with host families who, according to Cogut, are always sad to see them leave.

After their Brooklyn performance, students enjoyed an educational day off where they were able to experience New York landmarks like Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center Memorial and of course, the Brooklyn Bridge.

“These kids represent the future,” said Cogut. “It’s truly a gift to be able to work with these kids and our faculty.”

 

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