Some argue if the celebrations are inappropriate in the times of war, like the ones Ukraine is going through. Jonathan Bernis, head of Jewish Voice Ministries International, says there is no better time to celebrate.
That’s why he gladly included Ukraine in the list of the
places for “Hear O’ Israel!”, a festival of Jewish music and dance. Under his
guidance a group of Jewish musicians arrived to Ukraine to give several free shows on Sept. 26-28.
“The festival has a special goal – to give everyone hope and an opportunity to feel the happiness of life,” Bernis said at a
news conference on Sept. 25.
The group of musicians that he gathered is impressively
multi-national. Maurice Sklar is an American musician who was born in Russian-Jewish
family. Oksana Pavlova is a Ukrainian, who lives in Argentina and is a
professional dancer of traditional Jewish dances. Baht Rivka Whitten is an
Israeli singer who says he sees a lot in common among Ukrainian and Jewish
nations, Finally, Dan Dubick is an American whose father came to the U.S. from
Ukraine’s Lviv.
Days of the festival follow Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New
Year, that was celebrated on Sept. 24.
“Hear O’ Israel!” (Jewish music
and dance festival)
When: Saturday, Sept. 27. 12 p.m., 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 28. 6 p.m.
Where: National Palace of Arts “Ukraina”
103
Chervonoarmiiska St., Kyiv
How much: Free
Kyiv Post staff writer Julia Kukoba can be reached at
[email protected].
