“…one of New York’s most reliably exciting concert series…” New York Music Daily
Oct. 13, 2026 7:30-10:00- Kommuna Lux – Ukrainian Klezmer Band in a benefit for Ukraine charity helping war orphans
https://commonmanforukraine.org/
The Common Man for Ukraine is a special initiative of the non-profit Plymouth (NH, USA) Rotary Foundation. Its mission is to support Ukraine’s children and families whose lives have been devastated by the war. Since 2022, they have completed more than 50 humanitarian aid missions, delivering over 4.5 million pounds of food and lifesaving supplies directly into the hands of children and families in safe houses and front-line villages in Ukraine. As shown in this compelling video, they use an all-volunteer network of trusted Rotary Club members from Poland and Ukraine to assure that the supplies arrive safely into the hands of people living in communities in greatest need. They’ve also hand-deliver Beanie Babies to the youngest orphans (who often escape without their toys), and small solar lanterns to children (to help lessen the terrors of the night). Most recently, they braved mine fields and drones to deliver aid to frontline cities within sound of the explosions.
CMFU also sponsors dedicated mental health retreats for the children of fallen soldiers and their widowed mothers. To date, these programs have provided a haven for more than 1,600 children and women. Surging demand has resulted in an ongoing waitlist. Each month, up to 35 children (ages 8–12) participate in an 18-day residential retreat that includes art and nature therapy, physical activity, and free play—fostering deep peer bonds and healing away from the war zone. A separate retreat welcomes up to 20 widowed caregivers each month. These 10-day sessions provide a vital space for women to process their grief, participate in small-group sessions with Ukrainian mental health professionals, and build a powerful new network of resilience.
This event is organized in collaboration with Marvin Weinberger
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at Hudson Yards Synagogue Social Hall, 347 W.34th St. (between 8th & 9th Ave.)
Check out our appearance on TV Show “Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi”
About the New York Klezmer Series The NY Klezmer Series (NYKS) has presented music and dance in New York City weekly in a fall and spring season since Sept. 2010 with a pause during the pandemic to present online. After a rollicking Winter/Spring 2025 we are now planning to begin programming again for Jan. 2026. We’ve recently begun offering a scaled down schedule of events, roughly every two weeks. Each week, NYKS presented Concerts, Workshops, Jam Sessions as well as a monthly Tantshoyz – Yiddish Dance Party with live klezmer music. The series has been based in a few places over the years – First at the 6th St. Synagogue in the East Village, then at Stephen Wise on the UWS, at Jalopy in Brooklyn, at the Town & Village Synagogue on E.14th St, and now at the beautiful and historic Hudson Yards Synagogue on West 34th St. between 8th & 9th Ave.
The series has featured leading and emerging international and local performers in an intimate setting while celebrating, and educating musicians and the public on, vital (and often neglected) traditional and contemporary expressions of Yiddish culture.
The NY Klezmer Series is fiscally sponsored by the Center for Traditional Music and Dance, and sometimes co produces classes and events with Yiddish New York and the Workers Circle.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nyklezmer/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyklezmer/
NY Klezmer Series has presented over 250 evenings of Yiddish Culture in 15 years including Klezmer Music, Yiddish Dance, and sometimes film, lectures, artwork, book talks… We have presented world class concerts, music and dance workshops, and open klezmer jam sessions in an intimate setting, in addition to providing education and a place for all to come and participate in this wonderful and sometimes neglected part of Jewish, European and American Culture
Founded by Aaron Alexander and Rabbi Greg Wall, and inspired by the week-long Yiddish Culture events, Klez Kamp, Klez Kanada, YNY, Yiddish Summer Weimar and Trip to Yiddishland, the NY Klezmer Series aspires to present Yiddish cultural offerings in an intimate & respectful setting and allow the artists freedom to present their own vision.
What is Klezmer? Klezmer music is the instrumental party music of the Jewish People from Eastern Europe – (Ashkenazim). It’s origins are in the 16th century, and it has evolved and assimilated local influences (Russian, Romanian, Ottoman, Hungarian etc.) wherever Ashkenazim have lived since. It is essentially Yiddish music – the instrumental music of people who spoke (and speak) Yiddish. It came to America with the immigration of Jews from Eastern Europe beginning in late 19th century, and has had a wonderful history in America, where it also assimilated American music traditions. Hasidic nigunim (wordless melodies), Yiddish theater music, Yiddish Swing and Yiddish folk song are all related and will be represented at the series.
Tantsheiser (Dance Parties): Once a month or so we present a Tantshoyz – Yiddish dance party, with a Yiddish Dance specialist, and a professional dance band. Dance leaders have included Steve Weintraub, Michael Alpert, Zev Feldman, Avia Moore, Deborah Strauss, Eve Jochnowitz and Sarah Myerson.
We had a Klezmer Instrumental Workshop every week that we have a concert, often led by the concert artists of the day. This workshop ran for over 10 years and developed a devoted following. We worked on repertoire, style, form, ornamentation, groove, arranging and more. Often the participants have an opportunity to play the current pieces at the jam session after the concert, further deepening their understanding of new material.
We are moving to a less frequent schedule in 2024, in order to maximize the time we have. We’ll be having a Community Klezmer Band meeting monthly, monthly concerts, and occasional Tantsheyser (Yiddish dance parties).
Past Concert artists have included: Michael Alpert, Joshua Waletsky, Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Alicia Svigals, Joel Rubin-Pete Rushefsky-Steven Greenman Trio (R2G), Strauss/Warschauer Duo, Lorin Sklamberg & Polina Shepherd, The Tarras Band, Pete Sokolow’s Klezmer Plus Trio, Susan Leviton, Jordan Hirsch’s Overnight Kugel, Isaac Sadigursky, German Goldenshteyn Tribute Band w/Alex Kontorovich, Inna Barmash’s “Hindele”, Brian Glassman’s “Klezmer/Jazz Alliance”, Ichka & Siach HaSadeh from Montreal, Jordan Hirsch’s “Overnight Kugel”, Patrick Farrell, Elaine and Susan Hoffman-Watts, Michael Winograd, Yiddish Art Trio, Levitt Legacy Band, Jake Shulman-Ment’s Midwood, Margot Leverett & Klezmer Mountain Boys, Eve Sicular’s Metropolitan Klezmer, Christian Dawid, Zev Zions, Arkady Goldenshteyn, Benjy Fox-Rosen, Lisa n Sruli Family Band, Aaron Alexander’s Midrash Mish Mosh & Klez Messengers, Dmitri Slepovitch & Litvakus, Levitt Legacy Band, Klezmerfest with Greg Wall, Ezekiel’s Wheels (from Boston), Eleanor Reissa, Roger Davidson, Mike Cohen Band, Breslev Bar Band, Polina Shepherd, Lauren Brody, Jake Shulman-Ment, Zev Feldman, Dena Ressler’s T-Klez (w/David Licht!), and many others.
We have been based in several different spaces over the years, including Sixth St. Community Synagogue, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, Mehanata, Zeb’s Place, Jalopy Theater, Funky Joe’s and Town & Village Synagogue, our current home, the beautiful and historic Hudson Yards Synagogue.
questions? newyorkklezmer@gmail.com
We Need Your Support to Continue! Please click below for your tax-deductible contribution, thru CTMD:
THANK YOU!
Support for the NY Klezmer Series is provided by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency in partnership with Governor Kathy Hochul.
We also are grateful for the support of our fiscal sponsor, Center for Traditional Music and Dance