JCRS holds Jewish Roots concert, other weekend events

By ALAN SMASON

Jewish Children’s Regional Service (JCRS) will be holding three major events this weekend, not the least is its major fundraiser, “The Roots of Jewish Music” to be held tomorrow night, Saturday, March 7 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Harry Mayronne, left, with last year’s cast at the JCRS funraiser event. (Photo by Alan Smason)

Like previous JCRS fundraising events that dealt with “The Jewish Roots of Broadway” and “The Jewish Roots of Jazz,” the entertainment value promises to be top drawer. With a seated dinner and a $200 per seat price tag, patrons expect high standards in food, wine and entertainment.

Harry Mayronne, Jr. will again be serving as music director following his successful turn last year with drummer Bruce Miller, a former JCRS president, and singer Chris Wecklein.

“What was really great about that show, was it got such enormous response,” Mayronne continues. “I’m thrilled to be asked to do another show. Hopefully, we’ll meet the challenges of doing something as good as they thought last year was.”

This year’s program is not just about Jewish music, Mayronne admits. It’s about popular music, Jewish or not. But there are several selections that will highlight Jewish content, such as a Debbie Freedman song, he points out.

Congregation Gates of Prayer’s cantorial soloist Victoria “Tory” Cohen May is also part of the cast of talented performer, according to Mayronne. “Tory came in as a constultant with me and I asked her to be one of the singer,” he says. “It was great.”

Mayronne also found out that May had been part of several ensemble shows he conducted at Le Petit Theatre. He was amazed, but more important, he notes, “All of the musicians just clicked,” he says.
“They each bring their own personality and swing on thing the music

Some of the other pop songs the group will cover are from Bette Midler and her fomrmer pianist and music director Barry Manilow.

Among those families being honored by JCRS are the Cahn Family, the Goldring Family and Woldenberg Foundation, the Klein Family and the Grinspoon Foundation.

Following the swank affair at the Hyatt Regency on Saturday night, JCRS will hold its annual meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the Uptown Jewish Community Center, 5342 St. Charles Avenue. That meeting is open to the public, but attendees are invited to call 504-828-6334 to inform the organization of your attendance.

One of the JCRS’s most popular programs, the PJ Library, which helps bring reading material to youngsters, will be celebrating its eighth birthday. Meanwhile, the JCRS will also be celebrating it s160th birthday. Ice cream and birthday cake will be offered to young children as well as all manner of games and organized activitiies. The event is free and open to the public.