Enjoy Aaron Kaplan’s music online
The music of Aaron A. Kaplan, internationally acclaimed symphonic film composer, was featured earlier this month on the No. 1 classical music Internet radio program in the world with over 30,000,000 listeners.
The broadcast can be found at Classical Discoveries Internet Radio, http://classical-discoveries.com/.
The podcasts are broadcast over your computer at “classical-discoveries.” The program features music from world-class symphony orchestras, bands, choral groups, composers and artists from around the world. Sandy Hedgecock hosts the very popular Classical Music Discoveries podcast series.
The podcast of the program can be enjoyed at the following link: http://khedgecock.podomatic.com/entry/2011-03-11T23_00_24-08_00
Aaron A. Kaplan, besides being a composer, is an orchestrator, pianist, songwriter and performer. Aaron’s unique style spans many musical genres and includes sweeping melodic themes, violin and piano concertos and orchestra compositions with choir. His music has had both national and international acclaim and can be heard on radio, television and film.
Kaplan has produced four CDs; his latest is “Musical Portraits.”
His most recent film is the full-length documentary “Roots of War, Road to Peace,” which was broadcast on the public television network.
Kaplan’s award-winning song, “We’re Coming Home,” was selected as the best religious and Jewish song of the year in the United States, and has been recorded and broadcast both in this country and overseas.
He is currently working on a musical scheduled to premiere within a year. Aaron was one of only two composers in the United States invited to create an original composition for the premiere of his work to be performed by the honored International Modern Symphonic and Chamber Music Festival in Eastern Europe. His works also have been performed by the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra and in the Meyerson and Eisemann symphony halls. He has been featured in many national and international publications.
Among the works performed are: “Birth of a Nation,” “Three Sides of the Heart,” “N’Shama” (written for Classical Music Discoveries), “Rhapsody,” “Symphonic Fantasy,” “To Be in Love,” “Melissa’s Day Off,” “We’re Coming Home,” “Kay’s Theme,” “Road to Tijuana,” “TV Show Spoof,” “Sports News Theme Spoof,” “Bayit Yashan” (Hebrew version of “We’re Coming Home”), “The Star of David.”
Akiba Academy announces 2011 Inspire! honorees
At press time, Akiba Academy announced the honorees for this year’s edition of the Inspire! Gala and Auction, to be held Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. at the Westin Galleria of Dallas. Aptly themed “Women Who Inspire!”, this year’s event will spotlight five women who embody that service spirit: Sharon Blumberg, Pam Fine, Carole Ann Hoppenstein, Cheryl Pollman and Helene Schussler. For over ten years now, Inspire! has brought the Jewish community together to raise vital funds for the school while enjoying a night of great food, fun and camaraderie. In what has traditionally been one of the high points of the event, guests can bid on one-of-a-kind items in a live auction. A silent online auction, starting late spring and culminating the night of the event, will also be featured.
Over the years, the gala has celebrated the contributions of individuals who have made a profound impact on Jewish education and inspired our community.
3 Stars Cinema will screen ‘The American’ with Norman Mailer
3 Stars Jewish Cinema, in conjunction with the Dallas International Film Festival, will screen “The American” with Norman Mailer at Mockingbird Station in Dallas. Showtimes are Sunday, April 3, at noon, and Monday, April 4, at 4:15 p.m.
You know the name. Perhaps you’ve read his novels. You may have even voted for him in a mayoral election, but what you know about Norman Mailer only scratches the surface. Filmmaker Joseph Mantegna delves deeper and will enlighten you with a fascinating glimpse into the life of this controversial but brilliant writer who lived life (according to his assistant) as a “literary rock star.”
“The American” was winner of the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Orlando Film Festival and the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
Artistic Director Bart Weiss will host a Q & A after the screening.
Tickets are free for 3 Stars members; you must e-mail your RSVP by April 2 to 3starscinema@gmail.com. Be sure to specify which date you have selected. For those who are not yet members, tickets can be purchased online for $10 each at http://filmguide.dallasfilm.org/tixSYS/2011/filmguide/Title/detail.
The Dallas International Film Festival has included 3 Stars Jewish Cinema as a community partner for the fourth year in a row.
Special discount for ‘Cabaret’
The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance invite you to purchase tickets for the upcoming production of “Cabaret” at a greatly discounted price. The DHM/CET, along with the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, was offered this special discount by the Dallas Theater Center for this production in the new Wyly Theatre.
Performance dates are April 22 through May 22 at the AT&T Performing Arts Center/Wyly Theatre. The special 25 percent per ticket discount can be obtained using discount code DHMCET.
As the community partner for this musical, the museum will offer insight into the history behind the popular production, which takes place in pre-World War II Germany. Each performance will be followed by a “Stay Late” conversation in which cast members will discuss topics like history and theater with the audience.
Tickets may be purchased directly through ATTPAC box office at 214-880-0202 or online at www.dallastheatercenter.org using the special discount code given above. For more information on this event, please visit www.dallasholocaustmuseum.org.
Lend a helping hand on Karen Leynor Mitzvah Day
On Sunday, April 10, Congregation Beth Torah will hold its annual Karen Leynor Mitzvah Day of volunteer service at the synagogue and offsite. Volunteers are still being sought. Please contact Marilyn or Larry Guzick at 972-490-1013 or social_action@congregationbethtorah.org to volunteer or for questions. On that day, Beth Torah will also have a Social Action Food Drive kickoff, its biggest food drive of the year. Please donate non-perishable foods. Bring in hotel toiletry items. Deposit in wooden pantry on left inside the shul entrance. Help Beth Torah reach its goal of 2,000 items. For questions, please contact Leslie Dworkin at dworkin@sbcglobal.net.
Free health care advance directives for seniors
On National Healthcare Decisions Day, Friday, April 15, the J invites seniors to take advantage of a free community service. HealthBridge In-Home Care and the Miller Law Firm will present an informational session on health care advance directives.
The goal is for all adults with decision-making capacity to have both the information and the opportunity to communicate and document their future health care decisions.
Your decisions matter; however, others need to know your wishes in order to honor them. There are no wrong answers when thinking about health care choices and completing an advance directive.
Come discuss, decide, document your wishes. Take advantage of this complimentary service to ensure that your loved ones will know and follow your wishes. All necessary documents and notary services will be furnished. Aaron Miller, elder law attorney, will be present to answer questions. Refreshments will be provided.
The session will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas. For more information, please call 214-739-2737.
News and notes
Rabbi Sholey Klein of Dallas Kosher will speak on “The Best Pesach Products You Can Find.” The talk, for men and women, will take place Wednesday, April 6, at 8:15 p.m. at Congregation Ohr HaTorah, 6324 Churchill Way in Dallas.
Save the date: Get fired up for camp!
Join the Jewish Federation at a rally for Jewish summer camp on Sunday, May 15, 4–5:30 p.m., at Valley View Park in Dallas. There will be a sing-a-long, refreshments and craft activities. Join your camp friends and get ready for the summer! For more info, e-mail Miranda Winer at mwiner@jfgd.org.
