Yale Strom is one of the world's leading artists of klezmer music and history. His new klezmer and classical compositions have been performed by orchestras and music groups in the United States and abroad, as well as by his own ensemble, Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi. He has composed for radio, film and television and has released 13 award-winning CDs. Of all art forms, music is the universal language of all cultures and expresses their hopes and aspirations. Therefore, it is not unusual for repressive regimes to not allow those minorities they want to repress to perform and sing their indigenous music. This happened often in the former East Bloc when the Stalinist governments made it difficult for Jews to sing Yiddish songs and play klezmer music in public. Learn how klezmer (Jewish jazz) music has revived Jewish pride and consciousness in Eastern Europe and listen to an award-winning musician demonstrate klezmer’s power.

Sponsor: University Synagogue