Introduction
In 1929, my parents fled their
homes in Eastern Europe and arrived in Canada with little more than the clothes
on their backs. Moyshe and Ida, of blessed memory, married in Montreal and
settled in a shtetl-like working-class neighborhood composed of new immigrants.
It was their dream to create a safe and comfortable life for their family in
which Jewish education and the preservation of the Yiddish language and culture
would be a top priority.
I grew up in a home where Yiddish
was the only language spoken. My three siblings and I attended the local
Protestant school along with Peretz Shule, where I discovered and fell in love
with the vibrancy and raw emotionality of the Yiddish folksong. It was there
that I learned and performed each of the songs contained in this album. Melodies
of children, parents, grandparents, teachers, lovers, victims, survivors and
rebuilders are indelibly engraved in my heart and mind.
As a teacher, parent and
grandparent, I continue to sing and interpret Yiddish songs in the hope that
our stories of trials, tribulations, and victories of past generations, will
live on. It is now my endeavor and obligation to perpetuate the dreams of my
immigrant parents.
Zingt Zhe Kinder is dedicated to my
children – Bryan, Danna, Marc, Ann, Ian, Courtney, and to their children –
Uriah, Maayan, Shahar, Shira, Zach, Alexia, Lauryn and Ashton – so that we may
all remember.
With love and hope for the future. ~Lorraine
What We Need & What You Get
- Production costs will be anywhere from $1,000-3,000! The more we raise, the better the quality of production and the more quantity to share and promote.
- Gifts and pre-sales are to cover costs for graphic design, discs, printing, art reproduction, distribution and replication, web design, and any other basic necessities in releasing the album.
- Proceeds will benefit the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.
The Impact
- Help preserve Yiddish culture and language.
- Be a part of a very special folk art tradition and learn/teach Yiddish in the process. Transliterations and Translations to all songs provided.
- Enjoy amazing folk music, professionally produced in studio by incredibly talented musicians and sound engineering by legendary Robert (Bobby) Martin, MultiMartin Music! Instrumentation includes: Lorraine Klein, guitar and vocals; Mike Witt, guitar; Nancy Friedland, mandolin; Alan Moses, accordian.
- Support a good cause that in turn will benefit an organization that provides social services and programs, open to everyone, no matter one’s age,
ethnicity, religion, gender, etc., and, most are FREE of charge!
Other Ways You Can Help
Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help:
- Help us get the word out and make some noise about our campaign.
- Use the Indiegogo share tools!