Memorial Day Concert Unites Faiths

A unique concert tonight at the Orangetown Jewish Center benefits veterans in Rockland County.

The Memorial Day Unity Concert — “Halleluyah in Harmony” — features Neshama Carlebach and the Green Pastures Baptist Church Choir at 7 p.m. at the synagogue, 8 Independence Ave., Orangeburg.

Proceeds from the concert are going to local chapters of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Jewish War Veterans. Tickets are $15 at the door.

“Rabbi Scheff and I heard Neshama Carlebach sing at the Rabbinical Assembly with the Green Pastures Baptist Church Choir and were entranced by the power and potential of the music,” said Rabbi Paula Mack Drill.  “She had already come to our community several times and we knew that the message was one that Rockland County needed to hear.”

The rabbi said the concert is designed to show that there is more that unites people of different faiths than divides them.

“We knew that if the invitation was going to go to the entire community with integrity, then we needed to keep the ticket cost reasonable,” she said. “There are generous people in the Rockland Jewish community who care deeply and passionately about understanding and acceptance between people of various religions.  Once we got their buy-in, the idea evolved to tie the concert to Memorial Day. It felt like a win-win.”

Rabbi Paula Mack Drill said she hopes the concert will serve as motivation for other civic celebrations that can unite people of various faiths in Rockland.