Song and stories celebrate HIAS Weekend at Beth El

By Ann Kramer

Congregation Beth El celebrated the HIAS Refugee Weekend 2024 with a cabaret concert and a coffee house with stories from Beth El members.

On Saturday evening, February 3, following Havdalah led by Rabbi Joshua Breindel, cabaret singer extraordinaire Belle Linda Halpern entertained a lively crowd, performing “Songs of Love & Social Consciousness,” a tribute to the late Martha Schlamme, a singer/activist who would have been 100 years old this year. Belle, who had studied under Martha honored her teacher by performing some of the songs that Martha had made famous. Accompanied by pianist Ron Roy, she mesmerized the audience with favorites by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, Jacques Brel, and Gershwin/Hammerstein. A Yiddish folk song and a Nigerian Freedom song featured audience participation as well. A wonderful array of desserts added to the festive evening.

All proceeds from the event went to HIAS (originally called the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). Over 100 years ago, HIAS was founded to assist Jewish immigrants coming to America. Their work continues, worldwide today, assisting immigrants of all ethnicities, religions, and nationalities.

On Sunday afternoon, continuing the celebration of HIAS, the Beth El Sanctuary Committee hosted a Coﬀee House featuring eight speakers who shared personal stories with the theme “A Time When I Took a Stand / A Time When I Stood Up.” Speakers included Elaine Barnartt Goldstein, Michael Jacoby Brown, Bernard Horn, Lisa Kouchakdjian, Diego Low, Carl Oﬀner, Ira Silver, and Roberta Unger.

Additionally, Beth El’s choral group, Shir El, conducted by Cantor Vera Broekhuysen, sang “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,” a beautiful song featuring lyrics by Emma Lazarus and music by Irving Berlin. These same lyrics are famously etched into the base of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. A sumptuous buﬀet of foods and beverages completed a lovely afternoon of community and purpose.

Here are some photos and a video from the weekend.