By COLlive reporter
Over 200 people filled the Chabad Lubavitch of Markham synagogue on Green Lane in Thornhill, Ontario Sunday evening, for a novel program called “Songs of the Inspired Soul – the Rebbe’s niggunim.”
“For many years I was at a loss of how to present traditional Chasidic songs- “nigunim,” and especially the Rebbe’s nigunim, to a diverse and unaffiliated crow,” said Shlucha Goldie Plotkin, of Chabad of Markham. “Last Sunday night I received my answer,” she said.
A diverse crowd from all Jewish backgrounds were magically transformed and moved to their very core by the show combining user-friendly and compelling multimedia introductions with professional and soul-piercing musical arrangements.
The Odin string quartet, a Toronto group, performed some of the most stirring chassidic melodies taught over the years by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The talented musicians presented the ancient tunes with a balance of contemporary twist while never betraying the original gentle and refined flavor of the melodies.
The moving musical program followed a classy silent auction with over 50 items ranging from art to jewelry and entertainment packages. The room was fabulously decorated and a wine and cheese buffet was presented by Ari Lipsey of Nature’s Best Dairy.
The ambiance and atmosphere was warm and inviting. The dim lights and candles created an amazing aura that lent itself to the soul-stirring music that dominated the night.
“I could not wait to call you to tell you how beyond amazing last night was. I did not want the music to end. I was actually heart broken when it ended. It was the most moving, meaningful, amazing, amazing and amazing night,” attendee Lisse G. said after the event.
“I enjoyed last night very much. Two bars into the first niggun, I had tears in my eyes. It felt so moving and powerful,” said Richard G.
“Such a great change from the mundane… A really new genre of event…The evening was a novel and fresh approach to explaining the way the Rebbe used music to touch the heart and awaken the soul,” said Edna W.
Thank yous were given to the dedicated, hardworking committee for helping to make the evening a resounding success: Beverley Fleischer, Edna Lipworth, Jaime and Evelyn Gutman, Jeremy and Edeet Kochberg, Kim Cohen, Marilyn Lazer, Monique Hirshberg, Pablo Fuchs, Rabbi Meir & Esther Gitlin, Rabbi Avraham and Goldie Plotkin and Sanchia Rabin.
The show was produced by Bentzi Avtzon of Yuvla Media.
You rocked the house!!