Klezmer -- American Music: Klezmer, which literally means “tool of song” in Yiddish, is the secular folk music of the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. In the first decades of the 1900s, this music flourished not only in the Old World but also in the New, in the immigrant community of New York City. There, the sounds of the European “fiddler on the roof” mixed with the sounds of early jazz and Tin Pan Alley. The result was a quintessentially American sound. This presentation will trace the history and evolution of this music, from the Old World to the New, up until the present day and the modern klezmer revival. Vintage audio clips and "live" performances from the instructor will make this program as exciting as the music itself.

You might know Seth Kibel as the funky clarinet player at HSOSC’s High Holy Days services. He is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier woodwind specialists, working with some of the best bands in klezmer, jazz, swing and more. Wowing audiences on clarinet, sax and flute, Seth has made a name for himself in the Washington/Baltimore region and beyond. He is the featured performer with the Kleztet, Bay Jazz Project, Music Pilgrim Trio, The Natty Beaux and more. Winner of 28 Washington Area Music Awards (Wammies), including “Best World Music Instrumentalist” (2003 2011) and “Best Jazz Instrumentalist” (2005, 2007-8, 2011-2014). His most recent recording, “When You’re Smiling” was released in 2018 on the Azalea City Recordings record label. His song “New Waltz” was the grand prize winner of 2016 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (MASC), sponsored by the Songwriter’s Association of Washington (SAW). When he is not performing, Seth frequently lectures on a variety of topics in music history for numerous institutions, including Osher Lifelong Learning programs at Johns Hopkins and Towson Universities and SPICE at Har Sinai - Oheb Shalom Congregation.

Registration Information:
All SPICE courses must be registered for and paid for in their entirety. SPICE fees are per head, not per household, with a 50% off fee for second registrants within the same household. A minimum of 15 enrollees per course are required in order to hold the course. If a course must be cancelled, those registered will be notified and a SPICE credit will be issued.

Reservations may be made via email to sboxerbell@gmail.com or by telephone to Sherri Bell, SPICE Chair at 410-303-2483. Payment may be made in one of three ways:

1. Check Mail it to Sherri Bell 1 Clifton Court Pikesville, MD 21208 Your check should be made payable to Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation with SPICE and the course name written on the memo line.

2. Credit card Please note that the synagogue charges a 3.1% credit card use convenience fee.

3. Bill your synagogue account Members only.