Welcome

The Zamir Choral Foundation, created by Matthew Lazar, promotes Jewish choral music as a vehicle to inspire Jewish life, culture and continuity. Building on the success of the Zamir Chorale, the first modern Hebrew-singing chorus in North America, Mr. Lazar sought an expansive vision that went beyond the activities of any single choir - one that fostered Jewish identity across generational and denominational lines. Today, through extensive programming, education, sponsorships and special events, the Zamir Choral Foundation is at the core of an ever-growing network of Jewish choirs, singers and music which has helped create the only Foundation of its kind devoted to Jewish choral music. The Zamir Choral Foundation is creating a new world of Jewish music, musicians and culture for today and the future. 

The Zamir Choral Foundation's mission is fulfilled by:

• Unifying and training the leaders and singers of the Jewish choral movement
• Fostering Jewish commitment through Jewish choral singing
• Strengthening Jewish identity in teens through a network of high school choral ensembles
• Commissioning and premiering new Jewish choral works
• Creating dynamic, cutting-edge Jewish music programming
• Organizing Israel trips and missions for more than three decades
• Appearing in prime concert venues throughout the US and Insrael
  

The projects of the Zamir Choral Foundation are:

• The North American Jewish Choral Festival
• Hazamir: The National Jewish High School Choir
• The Jeanne R. Mandell Endowment
• The Zamir Chorale
• Zamir Choral Foundation Missions To Israel
• Special Programs, Conferences, and the National Jewish Chorale

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Zamir Choral Foundation Sells Out Carnegie Hall for Concert Celebrating Israel at 60

On March 30th, the Zamir Choral kicked off New York City's celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Israel to a sold-out Carnegie Hall.  

The star-studded concert featured the Zamir Chorale and Friends, including the legendary Theodore Bikel, Debbie Friedman, Cantors Alberto Mizrahi, Jack Mendelson and Lorna Wallach, and a special guest appearance by HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir, all under the direction of Matthew Lazar, Founder and Director of the Zamir Choral Foundation.  

The concert traced the history of Israel through music, with musical selections that ranged from Hebrew chant through favorites from the beginnings of the state to contemporary peieces, including the world premiere of Israeli composer Yehezkel Braun's Bayom HaHu, specially commissioned for this concert.  

The iconic Theodore Bikel performed songs from the early Zionist era, many of which he learned as a boy in Israel. Singer/composer Debbie Friedman joined Bikel for some solo numbers, and also sang her well-known Miriam's Song with the Zamir Chorale and Friends in a new arrangement by Matthew Lazar.  

More than 50 singers, some of whom traveled from across the country, joined the Zamir Chorale to form the "Friends" choir for many selections, including the finale which included David Burger's anthem of the Jewish Choral Movement, T'filah (featuring David on guitar), and Hatikvah, in which the audience stood and joined in singing, many with tears in their eyes.  

The concert also featured the Zamir Chorale in the performance of Darchei Noam by David Burger, a specially commisioned tribute to the late Noam Shudofsky, a Zamir Board member and lifelong supporter of Israel.

  Zamir Choral Foundation Celebrates    "Israel @ 60" with a Mission and Concert Tour This Summer 

From August 10-17, 2008, the Zamir Choral Foundation once again travels to Israel this summer to "Celebrate Israel @ 60," with an unforgettable trip to connect with the land and its people. The trip features:  

• Exploring Israel on an extensive tour;
• performances at the Jerusalem Theatre, the Einav Center in tel Aviv and other venues across the country;
• meetings with Israeli leaders, commentators, historians and musicians;
• celebrating Israel's birthday with its people.
It promises to be the experience of a lifetime. Be sure to visit the web site this Fall for details and pictures of this amazing trip!