Celebrating tradition and local talent
It’s better in Yiddish – es klingt beser oyf yidish, presented by Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library, will showcase local Jewish artists over three nights.
Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library are presenting a musical spectacular, It’s better in Yiddish – es klingt beser oyf yidish, showcasing local talented Jewish artists over three nights.
It will include popular songs by musicians including Dolly Parton, Leonard Cohen and The Beatles which have been Yiddish-ified (translated into Yiddish) and are sure to have audiences singing along.
It will be hosted by award-winning performer Jude Perl who told The AJN, “I’m really excited to be working with Kadimah. I love what they do and am so thrilled to have an opportunity to sing in Yiddish!”
The program features over 14 artists including Joshua Moshe, Josh Reuben, Toby Bender, Eden Givoni, Freya Boltman, Karen Feldman with her daughter Shayna Epstein and klezmer flautist Noemi Huttner-Koros. It will also spotlight rising stars Mia Singer who is in year 11 and the winner of Mount Scopus Idol in 2024, Reuben Goldfarb who is in year 11 at the King David School and Jasmine Filer, a recent graduate of Bialik College.
The show’s musical director Adam Starr has worked in the music industry for over 20 years as a performer, composer, arranger, director and educator.
Speaking to The AJN, Starr said that Kadimah would love to turn this into a yearly event to showcase local talent and to make it clear that “Yiddish is a vibrant, exciting, passionate language, and not at all staid or only for the elderly”.
Starr has himself been entranced by the Yiddish revival. He went to the Yiddish New York festival in December 2023 and “fell in love” with the Yiddish scene and on his return started the Melbourne Klezmer school with Amy Banner in 2024, in partnership with Kadimah.
“I heard so much Yiddish song, and just fell in love with the culture. It was such a wonderful experience after October 7 to be in a place where there were like 500 people, not all Jewish but all of them celebrating Jewish culture.”
He observes that Melbourne is a part of this contemporary Yiddish revival.
“We definitely punch above our weight,” noting the influence of the Kadimah and Sholem Aleichem College.
Amid the struggles faced by Jewish artists since October 7, this show also aims to be a testament to the resilience and creativity of Melbourne Jewish community.
Co-chair of the Kadimah board Joe Tigel said, “After so many Jewish artists have struggled with employment opportunities being cancelled, it gives us great naches to pay and support these talented folk to entertain and delight our audiences.”
It’s better in Yiddish – es klingt beser oyf yidish will take place on February 20, 22 and 23. To book visit trybooking.com/1326144
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