Los Angeles Jewish Symphony Celebrates Milestone Chai Anniversary At The Ford Amphitheatre On Sunday, August 26 August 26, 2012

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS) is celebrating its 18th, or Chai, Anniversary with a special performance on Sunday, August 26 at 7:30pm at the Ford Amphitheatre with a program entitled “CHAIlights– Celebrating 18 years of Jewish Music”.

The eclectic program features three longtime orchestra members and soloists—Concertmaster Mark Kashper, Principal Cellist Barry Gold, and Principal Clarinetist and arranger Zinovy Goro—in music that reflects the two main streams of Jewish culture and heritage, Ashkenazic and Sephardic. Other highlights will include the U.S. premiere of "Klezmopolitan Suite,” written by Niki Reiser, a former member of the European klezmer group “Kol Simcha”; popular Jewish artist Sam Glaser will join with the newly formed Jewish Community Children's Choir, under the direction of Dr. Michelle Willner; and surprise guest artists representing LAJS’ 18-year history. Each of the pieces to be performed in the show were written by composers who were inspired by the yiddishkayt music of the Hassidic, Klezmer, and Cantorial traditions.

A Chai anniversary has its roots in the Hebrew word for “life,” which is Chai, with its Hebrew letters adding up to the number 18. For this reason, the number 18 is a spiritual number in Judaism and represents a time to reflect, remember, and celebrate.