May 5, 2022

Musicians From Yerucham Share Sephardic Music With Miami’s Jewish Community

The Miami-Yerucham Partnership's Kulna Israeli Sephardic Music Fest regaled Miami audiences with concerts for Yom Ha’Atzmaut in locations across Miami-Dade County. From May 1 through 5, musicians Shir Shealtiel and Aviv Trabulsi treated audiences to Mizrahi songs born of Middle Eastern and North African cultures, while educator Ashira Horvitch underscored the music’s origins and significance. The trio, from the Kulna School of Traditional Arts and Music in Miami’s partner city of Yerucham, kicked off the week-long fest with a sold-out, sunset cruise performance for young Jewish professionals from Moishe House. All three of Miami’s Federation-supported JCCs also had the opportunity to enjoy private concerts, including a children’s workshop and courtyard concert with traditional piyyutim (liturgical songs) from the Sephardic Jewish tradition at Alper JCC; a tribute to Yom Ha’Zikaron at the Miami Beach JCC — along with one at Temple Beth Sholom; and a spirited performance at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC’s Israel Independence Day celebration with hundreds of new Kulna fans in attendance. The musical tour of Miami was a shining example of creating meaningful people-to-people relationships between Miami and Yerucham through our shared traditions and love of Judaism.