SHABBATON CHOIR EXPERIENCE SDEROT DANGERS DURING SOLIDARITY VISIT
The Shabbaton Choir, in conjunction with the United Synagogue and the Office of the Chief Rabbi, visited Israel last week on their fifth ‘Solidarity though Song Mission.’ There, they gained first-hand experience of the daily threat facing residents of Sderot when a kassam rocket landed just 400 metres away from the choristers on Thursday. Unscathed, the choir continued their tour of the town, performing a concert at the community centre, and enjoying a performance from a choir of twelve boys aged 5 to 13, who had their first opportunity in months to sing in front of a visiting group. They were joined by Dr. Simon Hochhauser, chorister and President of the United Synagogue, and later in the week, by The Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks together with Lady Sacks.

Links:  Musical Director Stephen Levey's 'Diary' - full press release from the United Synagogue Web Site  -  video from the "60 Days for 60 Years: Israel" launch - chorister Frank Weinberg's speech given at the launch - article published in the London Jewish News - the Shabbaton Choir met ZAKA volunteers in Sderot and performed a concert in Ashdod in aid of a new medical centre.

On Wednesday 7th November the Shabbaton Choir and Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld joined a mixed group of 250, including 60 non-Jewish schoolchildren and 30 Muslims, on a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, led by Rabbi Barry Marcus. Click here to read about this emotional visit.

 Click here to read Musical Director Stephen Levey's Diary of last year's mission to the North of Israel.

The Shabbaton Choir's latest CD titled 'Bilvavi' features the choir singing a varied selection of music from the choir's repertoire with Lionel Rosenfeld, Shimon Craimer & Jonny Turgel. Click here for more information.

"You will have never have heard anything like this". The Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks made a powerful reference to the music of the Shabbaton Choir when interviewed by Jeff Cohen of the Australian Times on his visit to Sydney.