Singing for Israel’s solidarity

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High school girls’ choirs compete for tzedaka

By Malka Eisenberg

Issue of March 6, 2009 / 10 Adar 5769

Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) may have won first place in the Second Annual Girls’ Choir Competition at HAFTR High School on Feb. 23, but the joy and camaraderie of all five participating schools raising money for charity eclipsed any feelings of rivalry.

Close to 400 women and girls filled HAFTR’s auditorium, raising over $3,500 in ticket sales for this year’s charity, the Israel Solidarity Fund of America (ISFA). Choirs from Central, HAFTR, HANC, Shalhevet and SKA took their turns on stage; some sang a cappella, others with musical or rhythmic accompaniment. Each group was announced and then greeted with raucous cheers from the audience as well as from opposing schools. Competitors called out to each other, offering moral support and highlighting friendships.

The concert competition was organized by Rachel Gerstley, a Judaic Studies teacher and student activities coordinator at HAFTR. She gave an opening speech and dvar Torah in front of a video screen with a picture of the Kotel (Western Wall) and the words “Shirei Shalom” (songs of peace). She spoke of Esther finding her hidden potential, gathering all Jews together in achdut (unity) –– “Different schools, different backgrounds raising money for Israel, revealing their hidden potential, their individual and global potential and seeing the hidden hand of G-d as in the Megillah... The message behind Purim is to be able to experience the hand of G-d on a global level,” Gerstley said.

Yudi Zuller spoke about ISFA, the organization he established in 2002 on Staten Island, and screened a video about his efforts. Through barbecues and concerts, he has successfully raised money to help victims of terrorism and their families, traveling to Israel several times a year to distribute the funds, most recently last week.

“Follow your dreams, pursue your passions and never forget your fellow Jews,” he said. “We can all make a difference. By being here, you have.”

Gerstley modeled the competition after a similar event held for seminaries in Israel. She noted the success of last year’s inaugural competition, when the choirs raised money for the Koby Mandell Foundation.

“Girls who went to Camp Koby spoke,” said Gerstley. “Koby’s father came and spoke when we gave him the check. It was very moving... One of the things I wanted the girls to see this year was this speaker, to see what one person can do, running concerts, raising money and bringing it to Israel.”

“Everybody always likes to hear singing,” she continued. “It was a way to bring the community together, the different schools. It was packed last year and this year we had the same” number of people, she observed.

Student coordinators led some choirs while teachers led others. Each choir appeared onstage two times to sing. The concert ended with all the choirs on stage together, singing L’shana Haba b’Yerushalayim and Acheinu. SKA won second place at the event while HAFTR won third.

“It was a great event, everyone was thrilled and we want to continue next year,” Gerstley said to sum up. “The girls have a wonderful way of expressing their talent for a good cause. They work hard, spend time and it’s all worth it when they see the auditorium jam-packed and it’s all for tzedaka. It’s a nice feeling for them.”