Saturday, Feb 4, 7:00 PM Join guest musicians, Michael Allen Harrison, Hazzan Stein and others for a musical exploration from Middle Eastern to Bluegrass and everything in between. Tickets: $18; sponsorship opportunities available, email Jemi at executivedirector@shaarietorah.org. Doors open at 6:15 pm, Havdallah at 6:30 pm, 7pm concert. Tickets here Michael Allen Harrison will join Hazzan Mike…
This year’s performance of “Crossing Over – A Musical Haggadah” will be an interfaith experience with the celebration of Passover and crossing the Red Sea offering a new vision of rebirth and renewal. Crossing Over, composed by Michael Allen Harrison with book and lyrics by Rabbi Alan Berg, debuted at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center…
PHOTO: Michael Allen Harrison Michael Allen Harrison will bring his rare concert grand piano to Congregation Shaarie Torah for two firsts – his first performance at Congregation Shaarie Torah and the Conservative congregation’s first community-wide fundraising event (see below). Portland pianist and composer Michael Allen Harrison is well known for his December concerts at The…
JFCS Gets Grant for Groundbreaking Holocaust Survivor Care Portland’s Jewish Holocaust survivors will soon receive innovative services designed to reduce trauma and isolation thanks to a grant to Jewish Family & Child Service by the Jewish Federations of North America. Combined with matching funds from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, the award will provide…
UPDATE: Because of several Spring break conflicts, Congregation Beth Israel has changed the date of the “Crossing Over” performance from March 30 to April 12. “We are all very excited with the change and our presentation will be on the third night of Passover giving the celebration deeper meaning,” says Michael Allen Harrison. Crossing Over…
Rhonda Kruschen named director of PDX Hillel On Aug. 1 Rhonda Kruschen became the new director of Greater Portland Hillel, serving Portland State University, Lewis & Clark College and Reed College. In this role, she will be partnering with the board of directors, students on Portland college campuses and the larger Jewish community to fulfill…
Collaborators Explore How Two Jewish Women and Five Black Singers Changed Music History The seeds for “Soul Harmony” were planted four years ago when Portland pianist and composer Michael Allen Harrison and Rabbi Alan Berg collaborated on their first musical theater creation, “Crossing Over: A Musical Passover Story.” As the pair worked on that musical,…
Internationally renowned Jewish singer Benny Friedman reunites with pianist and composer Michael Allen Harrison, known as “The Grand Maestro of Portland,” for a concert Sunday, March 22, in Salem. This will be the fourth year Benny has come to Salem for this musical retreat and auction benefit for the Chabad Jewish Center of Salem. Last…
Back by popular demand, Jewish music’s rising star Benny Friedman will take the stage along with Michael Allen Harrison, considered the “Grand Maestro” of Portland, at 2 pm, March 30, in Salem. The program is called “Songs of Freedom.” “There was such a tremendous emotional outpouring from people who attended last year’s concert we are…
Throughout history, humanity has instinctively understood the power of music to heighten emotions. The strident beat of war drums, melodious Torah chants, ethereal church hymns and the ominous rhythm of the Jaws movie theme have all used the language of the soul. Yet Rabbi Alan Berg says that he has never heard a liturgical composition…
