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Hit A 'High Z' For ZionismMissouri Man Wins AZM Songfest(Fort Collins, Colorado, August 6, 2001) …The winner of this year's Zemer Lach contest is a prophetic song about Israel that reminds us to be strong, so that "we can believe in tomorrow today." The winning entry, Tomorrow Today sends a strong message of hope, telling us "the trees we plant will bloom for generations" while asking that we "keep the candles burning, keep the commitment to Jewish learning."A full house listened as singer-songwriter Rick Recht performed Tomorrow Today at the CAJE (Coalition for Advancement of Jewish Education) conference in Ft. Collins, Colorado, August 5. Mr. Recht, who wrote Tomorrow Today with Elisa Heiligman Recht, is one of America's top Jewish musicians. He is based in St. Louis and plays over 100 times a year for Jewish organizations, synagogues, schools, and summer camps across the country. Second prize went to Ronit Ben-Arie for Yih'yu L'ratzon (May It Be So), her blessing for Israel: May my land see the light May it always be bright In her soul, in her body And heart. Ms. Ben-Arie, a former Israeli army officer, teaches Hebrew through music, movement, drama, and art. She currently teaches kindergarten and special arts in the Skokie Solomon Schechter School near Chicago. The two other songwriters who performed at the finals competition were Los Angeles composer Sam Glaser and Chana Rothman, a singer, songwriter and teacher from Aspen., Coloado. The Zemer Lach competition has become an AZM tradition since it was first held in 1994. AZM invites musicians to submit original musical compositions reflecting a love of Israel and Zionism, and representing an authentic American interpretation of Zionist values. Winners receive a round-trip El Al ticket to Israel. Michael Lorge, a Chicago attorney who serves as Zemer Lach chairman, said that music is a superb motivating instrument for spreading Jewish values. "Zemer Lach is the expression of practical Zionism. It's not talking about Zionism - it is doing Zionism. Zemer Lach creates a cultural connection between American Jews and Israelis through music." "If the spirit of Zionism and support for Israel are to be refreshed and energized, music and song will help achieve that goal," said AZM President Mel Salberg. "Music has played an important role in major events throughout history because it has the ability to stir the spirit and instill a dynamic quality to human activity." |
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