Make a contribution to future generations with a legacy gift to Klezmer Music Foundation, learn more here.
Why Support the KMF? Make an Impact
The Klezmer Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting klezmer music with an emphasis on the Chicagoland area. Klezmer music is a vibrant and living tradition that was passed down for generations until the Holocaust. The Klezmer Music Foundation is working to ensure that this tradition continues to thrive.
This joyous and uplifting music is perfect for dancing, celebrating, and uplifting audiences from school children to senior citizens. The Klezmer Music Foundation is committed to sharing the "joy of klez" with as many people as possible: through the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, the Junior Klezmer Orchestra, the three community bands that it leads, and more. The Klezmer Music Foundation offers a variety of programs to promote klezmer music, including concerts, workshops, and educational entertainment. They also reach out to musicians in other faith communities to foster good will.
Please consider donating to the Klezmer Music Foundation. Your donation will help to ensure that this unique and important tradition continues to thrive in Chicagoland, the Midwest, and beyond, for generations to come.
Please note: In "Special instructions," please indicate if this donation is in honor or memory of someone. If so, please include their email address if you would like them to get a notification. Please also indicate if this is a payment rather than a donation.
Thank you for your support!
Your donation helps the Klezmer Music Foundation to develop and execute programming to:
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Teach the art of klezmer and Yiddish music to future generations
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Reach out to seniors, school children, and other audiences who would not otherwise have the opportunity to see live performances of klezmer music
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Be musical ambassadors to the community and world through collaboration in the arts
Browse the Archives: During the Lockdown....
During the extended pandemic lockdown, the Klezmer Music Foundation has pivoted to continue our programming and outreach. Here are some highlights of our work during this time when live performances are not possible.
2020
April:
Produced and directed virtual concert performance of the Junior Klezmer Orchestra.
April-October:
Performed “Fiddler on the Lawn” concerts for Mather Independent Living, and backyard parties.
May:
Held Backyard Rehearsals with Junior Klezmer Orchestra
June-September:
Entertained residents of Park Plaza Retirement Home (Lori and Alex with “Wilmetsky Orchestra” and “Heavy Shtetl,” volunteer musicians from Congregation Beth Hillel and JRC Evanston, whom we direct).
Participated in Virtual Greater Chicago Jewish Festival. Video link here.
August:
Full band played "Blue Skies Concert Series" streaming and socially-distanced outdoor concert, presented by Sheridan Music Studios.
Trio performed socially-distanced outdoor concert for “Taste of Kosher” in Mequon, Wisconsin.
September:
Trio presented Zoom Concert for Highland Park Seniors Center.
Band created Zoom presentation for the children of Workers’ Circle Sunday School.
Led Backyard Rehearsal with Junior Klezmer Orchestra.
October:
Quartet, with Cantor Pavel Roytman, performed in "Blue Skies Concert Series" streaming and socially-distanced outdoor concert, presented by Sheridan Music Studios at Chicago Fine Art Center.
Gave Zoom Simchat Torah performance for Am Shalom Congregation in Glencoe.
Created Virtual Simchat Torah “Hakafot” (Torah Marches) for synagogues unable to present live music for the holiday.
December:
Provided Hanukkah entertainment for Self Help Home and five other senior residences.
Conducted 5-Day Facebook campaign for “Giving Tuesday” (December 1st), raising $2,300 in donations.
Created a virtual Hanukkah performance with the “Heavy Shtetl” Congregational Klezmer Band for the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation of Evanston.
Quartet performed a virtual in-house live-to-video Hanukkah show for Ambassador at the Lake Independent Living.
Duet performed a live, socially-distanced Hanukkah show for Park Plaza Retirement Home.
Alex Koffman and accompanist created a free Holiday Concert for the community.
KMF published an updated reissue of the "Joy of Klez" Klezmer Band Books.
2021
January
KMF raised $2,825 to help with funeral expenses for the son of a Salaam-Shalom band member who tragically died.
KMF created a virtual concert for Selfhelp Home in Chicago.
February
Quartet performed Zoom Purim Concert for the organization Chicago YIVO.
March
KMF was one of three not-for-profits in Illinois chose by Hershey Felder to be a co-fundraiser of livestream concert of Hershey Felder as Sholem Aleichem in "BEFORE FIDDLER: LIVE from FLORENCE"
Duet performed live, socially-distanced concert for Park Plaza Retirement Home.
Created virtual Purim performance for JRC Evanston.
Please note: In "Special instructions," please indicate if this donation is in honor or memory of someone. If so, please include their email address if you would like them to get a notification. Please also indicate if this is a payment rather than a donation.