Certain times of year bring out certain songs in my cd collection. Come May, you will hear Little Feat's Dixie Chicken blaring from my car and home. And during the high holidays, a song by Peter Himmelman (Dylan's observant son-in-law), Impermanent Things, just sticks in my head.

This year, I suspect my soundtrack for the holidays will be a bit more Sephardic. That's because, on Thursday, Sept 15, the incredible Galeet Dardashti will be performing Monajat (Fervent Prayer), a live music and video presentation inspired by the piyyutim and poetry Persian Jews sing at midnight throughout Selichot (the period leading up the to Rosh Hashanah). The performance will be at the beautiful Granoff Performing Arts Center at Tufts University.

Having seen and studied with Galeet, I can assure you the evening will be both spiritually and musically powerful. You don't need to know anything about Persian Jewry, Selichot, or have a Machzor memorized to enjoy this. Just come with open ears and a curious heart. With live music and atmospheric video, it should be quite trippy.

It is presented in partnership with the New Center for Arts and Culture, Tufts University Music Department and Tufts Hillel (special thanks to BJMF Advisor Rabbi Jeff Summit for facilitating this!).

This is the premiere commission from the New Jewish Culture Network, an initiative to create and deliver outstanding music and other art forms to audiences in the U.S. and beyonds. BJMF is honored to collaborate with the Foundation for Jewish Culture's mission to invest in creative individuals in order to nurture a vibrant and enduring Jewish identity, culture, and community. Support for Monajat is provided by the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation, the Milken Family Foundation, Sylvia M. Neil and other individual donors. Locally, the program is made possible, in part, through the generosity of the Bavly, Gann and Saunders families.  

Tickets are $25 and are available here.

Here's to a sweet, healthy and music-filled New Year.