A Joyful Noise: Klezmer On The Move | Heller Museum installation

A Joyful Noise: Klezmer On The Move on display at the Heller Museum, Hebrew Union College, in New York City.

Many thanks to museum curator Dr. Nancy Mantell and to museum director Jean Bloch Rosensaft. Much obliged.

The book accompanying the exhibition is available from the Klezmer Institute- here. 

Photo of Lloyd Wolf and Ruth Stromberg by Shelley Moskowitz

A Joyful Noise klezmer concert | Heller Museum

A Joyful Noise klezmer concert was part of the opening of the exhibition "A Joyful Noise:Klezmer On The Move" at the Heller Museum of Hebrew Union College in New York City. The all-star band, led by trumpeter/composer Sir Frank London of the Klezmatics, included Ilya Shneyveys, accordionist; Michael Winograd, clarinetist; Aaron Alexander, percussion; Alex Parke, clarinetist; Ron Caswell, tuba; and Pete Rushefsky, tsimblist. 

Dancing and joy ensued.

Special thanks to Heller Museum director Jean Bloch Rosensaft and museum curator Nancy Mantell.

David Fair, z'l

The world is a little less bright today, as I have learned of the passing of artist David Fair of the bands Half-Japanese, Coo Coo Rockin' Time and of the Shakemore festival family. His uniquely quirky humor, music, dance, jetstream of joy, great wit, bouncy energy and talent lit us all up. May his memory and good cheerful work be a blessing for all 

(I made all these photos of David at various Shakemore festivals).

March On Washington 2026

The righteous Nadine Dowell

I covered the 63rd anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington DC. From the March's website "We march to defend the vote, because voting rights are under attack and the protections generations fought, bled, and died for are being weakened.

We march to defend civil rights, because attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion are attempts to roll back access, opportunity, and representation.

We march for economic justice, because too many families are still fighting for fair wages, affordable housing, equal opportunity, and a fair chance to build wealth.

This is not only about one election. This is about whether our democracy will protect all of us. This is about whether the promises of 1963 will finally be made real. This is about standing together, across generations, to say we will not go backward.

... we return to Washington not to remember history, but to make history. We march for the vote. We march for justice. We march for the future."

I spent good time with the DC Activist Street Band and the Extraordinary Rendition Band (from Providence RI). Solidarity and joyful righteous noise.

Prominent speakers included Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanbergand AFT president Randi Weingarten.