Traveling University Jewish Heritage Adventure to MOROCCO Led by Prof. Yale Strom & Elizabeth Schwartz October 23-November 3, 2022 - Ayelet Tours - Israel Tours - Jewish Heritage Tours - Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tours

Day 1: Sunday, October 23, 2022: DEPARTURE

• We depart on our overnight flight to Morocco.

Day 2: Monday, October 24, 2022: CASABLANCA

• We arrive at Casablanca International Airport, where we are met by an Ayelet Tours representative.
• We drive toward the city of Casablanca, Morocco's cosmopolitan economic and business capital. Originally, a Phoenician and Roman city, Casablanca is home to the largest Jewish community in the Arab world.
• The Glory of Moroccan Jewry: We walk through Morocco's rich Jewish heritage at the Jewish Museum of Morocco, the Arab world's only Jewish museum. According to legend, Jews arrived in Morocco as early as 800 BCE. By 1948, the Jewish population had grown to an estimated 350,000 and was the largest, and arguably most integrated Jewish community in any Muslim country. The museum includes displays of traditional Jewish-Berber clothing and a feature on goldsmiths, a common Jewish occupation in Morocco.
• Mellah of Casablanca: The mellah was a former Jewish quarter similar to a European ghetto. It tantalizes the senses with a sea of women in brightly colored djellabas carrying and selling fruit and vegetables throughout the cramped, narrow streets. While Jews no longer live in the Mellah, kosher butchers are found in the old market.
• Boulevard Mohamed El Hansali: We stroll down the boulevard with its exotic bazaars, Mohammed V square, the new Medina Royal Palace and Anfa Hill, the meeting place of Roosevelt and Churchill at the Casablanca Conference during World War II.
• After our beautiful city tour, we check into our hotel with time to refresh and enjoy an early welcome dinner together at Cercle de'L Union, an excellent restaurant, and Kosher, too! The evening and indeed our entire Moroccan adventure will be a chance to experience the unity and diversity of the Jewish world and people. While many of us are familiar with Ashkenazi Jewish culture, Morocco was for centuries one of the great centers of Sephardi Judaism. We'll hear from our tour educator about Morocco's once large and thriving Jewish communities, discuss why Jews left Morocco en masse beginning in the 1950s, and find out about the Moroccan Jews of today.

Overnight in Casablanca

Day 3: Tuesday, October 25, 2022: CASABLANCA TO FEZ

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we begin at Bet El Synagogue, where we view the beautiful stained-glass windows and architecture, and learn about the rich history of this synagogue that many consider the center of Judaism in Casablanca.
• We stop by the Fhal Jewish bakery to sample the delicious treats!
• Next, we visit Casablanca's Jewish old age home, Home Des Vieux La Villa. While here, we meet residents and connect with the elderly Jewish community members who receive full residential, medical and dental care, as well as social facilities. The home has also been a refuge for elderly who come from the provinces who can no longer take care of themselves.
• God's Throne Upon the Water: Fast-moving Casablanca is also a city of faith, as we'll experience at the Mosque of Hassan II. This modern mosque has room for over 100,000 worshippers. It is perched dramatically over the ocean to reflect a verse in the Koran that “God's throne was built upon the water.” Over 6,000 master craftspeople created its hand-carved marble walls, retractable roof and the tallest minaret in the world at almost 700 feet. See if you agree with the builder's patron, King Hassan II, that this is a monument that Casablanca will be proud of “until the end of time.”
• We enjoy lunch at Rick's Café, created to evoke the architecture and atmosphere of the classic film.
• “The Athens of Africa, The Mecca of the West”: We depart for Fez, one of the great medieval cities of the world. It gained its nicknames due to its scholars (both Muslim and Jewish), spirituality, trade and culture. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Fez was among the world's most populated cities and the home of the Marinid kingdom. We'll learn about the kings, communities and creativity that drove Fez as we experience the beauty and liveliness of the city today.
• We stop for a tasting at the Les Celiers de Meknes Winery along the way
• Upon arrival, in Fez, we check into our hotel and refresh before dinner together this evening.

Overnight in Fez

Day 4: Wednesday, October 26, 2022: THE MYSTERIES OF FEZ

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• A Thousand Years and More - Jewish Life in Fez: Despite suffering from periodic persecutions, Fez's Jewish Quarter was home to brilliant scholars, poets and innovators. We'll travel back in time to the Golden Age for Jews in Fez from the 8th to 12th centuries, when the community included some key figures in the Jewish world, including Rabbi Moses Maimonides (the Rambam), the great philosopher and religious thinker. We'll also find out why the name for a Jewish Quarter comes from the Arab word for salt. Our tour will include a visit to the Ibn Danan Synagogue. Although recently restored, this is one of the oldest and most important synagogues in North Africa.
• Finding Fez: Fez's Medina is a dense maze of alleyways and streets and the largest car-free pedestrian zone in the world. Don't worry, our tour educator knows the way through this UNESCO World Heritage site that still includes many buildings, mosques and gates from the 12th century. Our visit will include:
o Local craftsmen: Catch a glimpse of the craftsmen at work in their shops as they weave, embroider, carve and chisel using ancient techniques.
o Madrasa Bou Inania: Fez contains some of the finest Islamic architecture in the world. This Madrasa (Islamic religious college) was established in 1351 and is famed for its minaret and geometric decorations. It is one of the few Islamic sites in Morocco that is accessible to non-Muslim visitors.
o A stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
o University of Al-Karaouine: Believed to be the oldest continuously operating university in the world and founded as a mosque, today, non-Muslims can view it only from the outside. In the 12th century, the Rambam (Moses Ben Maimonides) studied medicine and philosophy here.
o Nejjarine fountain: A traditional public fountain located in the center of Al-Najjarin Square.
• We continue to the “Arabian house”, a gathering place for craftsman still working in the old oriental tradition.
• The Scent of Fez: Fez is known for its leather goods and its great stretch of tanneries that give the city its distinctive smell. We'll visit the Chouara Tannery, where traditional ways of making leather are still practiced.
• Time to relax or explore then enjoy dinner on own.
• This evening, we are treated to a special concert by Prof. Strom, Elizabeth Schwartz and local musicians!

Overnight in Fez

Day 5: Thursday, October 27, 2022: FEZ - MEKNES - RABAT

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We depart for the “holy city” of Moulay-Idriss, noted for its breathtaking scenery.
• Rome-ing Around Morocco: You may not have expected to find a superbly preserved example of a Roman town in Morocco, but be aware, this country is full of surprises. In the 2nd century CE, Volubilis was a wealthy, Latin-speaking city and an important outpost of the Roman Empire. We'll visit the impressive mosaics, temples and arches of this UNESCO World Heritage site and gain insights into the richness of Morocco's history even before Islam and the Arabic language arrived.
• City of a Tyrant: We continue to the imperial city of Meknes, located on a fertile plain north of the Middle Atlas, and the former residence of the Sultan. We'll examine the superb architecture of Meknes created during the long reign of Moulay Ismail, with its skillful blend of Islamic and European influences. At this finely decorated mausoleum, we'll also consider the less attractive characteristics of “Moulay the Bloodthirsty” who is said to have ordered the city walls to be decorated with the heads of 10,000 of his enemies.
• Site of Pilgrimage, Gleaming White: While here, we'll see the Jewish Cemetery, where restoration of the white graves was recently completed. The project was part of the decree by King Mohammed IV in 2010 to preserve sites of Jewish Heritage throughout Morocco.
• Wives and Horses: While the Torah warns that a king should not acquire extra horses, a multitude of wives, or excessive amounts of silver and gold, Moulay Ismail took a different approach. He is believed to have had 2,000 wives and concubines who bore him 867 children, although he seems to have been fondest of his 12,000 horses. We'll visit the Royal Stables where each horse had its own individual groom-slave.
• We stop for lunch together at a local restaurant.
• The Kings and the Jews: We continue to Rabat, the modern capital of Morocco, also known as the white imperial city. Our tour of Morocco's royal capital will allow us to experience the huge role, historically and currently, that the king plays in Moroccan life. We'll walk around the walls of Rabat's Royal Palace, the primary (although certainly not the only) residence of the current king, Mohammed VI, and ask whether modern Morocco is an autocracy, a democracy or something in between.
• “There are no Jewish citizens, there are no Muslim citizens; they are all Moroccans” - Mohammed V. Next, we visit the magnificent mausoleum of Mohammed V, Morocco's king during World War II, and hear why Moroccan Jews today believe that he should be recognized as one of the Righteous Among the Nations for helping to stop Nazis from deporting Morocco's Jews to the death camps of Europe. His burial building is considered an architectural masterpiece. Also buried here is his son, Hassan II, who ruled over Morocco during the so-called “Years of Lead” (1961-1999). We'll visit his tomb and hear about this period of conflict, human rights abuses and assassination attempts on the king's life. It was during Hassan's reign that most of the country's Jews migrated to Israel, Canada and France.
• A Treat for the Eyes: We make our way up to the Kasbah des Udayas. This citadel is the oldest part of Rabat, dating back to the 12th century. Sitting high above the river and the Atlantic Ocean, it features gorgeously decorated gates, blue and whitewashed homes and French-influenced gardens.
• Later this afternoon, we arrive in Rabat, check into our hotel and refresh before dinner together at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Rabat

Day 6: Friday, October 28, 2022: DISCOVERING MARRAKECH

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• Early this morning, we depart for Marrakech, city of palm trees and gardens at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Jews have lived in Marrakech since the first century. Marrakech sees a lot of Jewish visitors, including many flocking from Israel to experience its unique culture and Jewish history.
• We stop for lunch en route.
• Marrakech - An Oasis: As we get ready to arrive in Marrakech, your tour educator will discuss why so many people over the centuries have been drawn to the city.
• Royal Splendors: We tour the Medina (walled city) of Marrakech, one of Morocco's four imperial cities, also known as the Red City for the red walls that surround it. The Medina is a thrilling, multifaceted area which includes:
o Bab Agnaou - A huge, superbly decorated gate allowing entrance into the royal city.
o The Saadian Tombs: The tombs provide lavish insights into the wealth and power structure of the Saadian dynasty that ruled Morocco from 1549 to 1659. The greatest of their kings, Ahmed al-Mansour, is buried in the magnificent Chamber of 12 Pillars in a tomb made from Italian marble and gilded with pure gold. Less exalted princes and rulers from the dynasty are buried nearby. The royal wives, chancellors and the king's Jewish advisers were “relegated” to graves in the still impressive gardens.
o Bahia Palace: Built in the late 19th century by Morocco's leading artisans, many consider this to be the finest palace built anywhere in the world during this time. Certainly, its architecture, gardens and design render it a remarkable achievement of Moroccan culture. Among its features is a harem, where vizier Abu Ahmed's four wives and 24 concubines lived.
• A Square That's Hip: The Djemaa El Fna Square is an enormous market and a thrilling experience. According to one theory, its name means “the assembly of the dead” and refers to the public executions that used to take place here. Today this square teems with life. Locals gather to shop, talk and to eat some of the best street food in all of Morocco. There's always something going on, so get ready for a daily carnival of snake charmers, street vendors, musicians, storytellers and acrobats.
• Following our tour, we check into our hotel and have time to relax and refresh.
• This evening, we join together for Kabbalat Shabbat at the Marrakech Beit El Synagogue, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner at the home of the Ohayon family with members of the Marrakech Jewish community.
• Enjoy a post-dinner “Oneg” mini-concert with Prof. Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz.

Overnight in Marrakech

Day 7: Saturday, October 29, 2022: SHABBAT SHALOM!

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Shabbat Shalom: This morning, we have the option of attending Shabbat services at Slat Al Azama Synagogue (“Synagogue of the Exiles”). This synagogue was established around 1492 by Jews who were expelled or fled from Catholic persecution in Spain and Portugal. The synagogue's ornamentation, attractive blue-and-white decor, and small but still active community are all examples of how the Jewish traditions of Marrakech are being maintained.
• After the service, we enjoy a Kiddush lunch with community members at the Ohayon home.
• The French Connection: Morocco is a melting pot of identities and influences ranging from its indigenous Berber tribes to more recent visitors including the French, who ruled over much of the country from 1912 to 1955. We'll spend time in the French Quarter and visit Majorelle Garden, designed by the French painter and botanist Jacques Majorelle. The garden and buildings took him 40 years to create, but you will think it was time well spent as we wander along paths by sparkling pools shaded by gorgeous trees and plants from around the world.
• We meet again at sundown for a special Havdallah, followed by a Moroccan fantasia show and dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Marrakech

Day 8: Sunday, October 30, 2022: THE OURIKA VALLEY

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Today, we depart for Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains, where we see the special relationship the Moroccan Jewish community has with the Ourika Valley.
• Next, we visit the grave of the tzaddik, Rabbi Shlomo ben Hensh, where the first Berber and Moroccan Jews have visited for generations for prayer and special requests. We hear the story of Hananiyah Elfassie, one of the last Berber Jews, who devoted his life to protecting the grave and preserving Rabbi Hensh's memory.
• We stop to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
• We return to Marrakech and have time to shop in the souk!
• Next, we meet with a local scholar for an intriguing discussion before enjoying dinner at our hotel.

Overnight in Marrakech

Day 9: Monday, October 31, 2022: MARRAKECH TO ESSAOUIRA

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• A Land of Indigenous People: We begin our day with a stop at a local Berber village, an indigenous people of North Africa, to learn about their unique culture.
• Savor the Flavors of the Atlas Mountains: We continue to Amizmiz, a small town outside of Marrakech, to participate in an organic cooking class and lunch with Chef Tarik.
• Essaouira: This afternoon, we travel to Essaouira, an easy to navigate city. Although originally Portuguese, Essaouira was fortified by a French-influenced architect named Vauban, and also formed the settling ground for a large Jewish population, which is why the city has an eclectic, multicultural feel. The town was once over thirty percent Jewish and contained over thirty synagogues, some dating back to the eighteenth century.
• Good for the Skin, Body & Soul: Upon arrival, we see many Argan trees, important to the region both economically and ecologically. At the women's cooperative of Argan oil, there will be an opportunity to learn about the wide-ranging applications of the oil from cosmetics to medicines.
• We continue to our hotel for check-in and time to relax before we join together again for dinner this evening.

Overnight in Essaouira

Day 10: Tuesday, November 1, 2022: DISCOVERING ESSAOUIRA

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Rabbi Chaim Pinto: The seaport city of Essaouria is still synonymous with the famed rabbi and remained his home all his life. Every year on the anniversary of Rabbi Pinto's death, Jews from around the world pilgrimage in the week preceding Rosh Hashanah and pray at the rabbi's grave situated in the old Jewish cemetery adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. Essaouria is also home to the Chaim Pinto Synagogue, the building that was once the rabbi's residence and is now a historic site.
• We stop to have lunch along the way.
• This afternoon, we enjoy time at leisure to shop, relax or explore on our own! We suggest checking out the Bayt Dalkira Jewish Museum.
• This evening, we join together for dinner at our hotel.
• This evening, we hear the music of local Gnawa masters, later joined in concert by Prof. Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz.

Overnight in Essaouira

Day 11: Wednesday, November 2, 2022: RETURNING TO CASABLANCA

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we travel up the coast to Casablanca, stopping for several photo opportunities along the way (possible stops include the Oualidia beach, and the Portuguese city of Eljadida).
• Upon arrival, we check into our hotel, then enjoy a festive farewell dinner at one of the trendy restaurants, recalling all that we have experienced together on this journey.

Overnight in Casablanca

Day 12: Thursday, November 3, 2022: UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We transfer to the airport for our flight back to the United States, landing later today.

OR UP YOUR ADVENTURE WITH AN EXTENSION TO
TANGIER & GIBRALTAR

Day 11: Wednesday, November 2, 2022: RETURNING TO CASABLANCA

• After our gala dinner, transfer to the Casablanca airport for our non-stop flight to Tangier, departing at 10:35pm and arriving at 11:55pm
• Airport pick up and transfer to our hotel in Tangier.

Overnight in Tangier

Day 12: Thursday, November 3, 2022: TANGIER, INTERNATIONAL CITY

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Tangier Jewish Heritage Tour & Community: The first Jews migrated to Tangier (once known as Tanja or Tingus) after the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem and settled among the Berbers. A second wave of migration from the Jews living in the Iberian Peninsula began with the 1492 Alhambra Decree and expulsion. This second wave of immigration changed Moroccan Jewry, as they largely embraced the Andalusia Sephardic liturgy, creating a population of Moroccan Jews that gained a primarily Sephardic identity. The Moors and the Jews intermixed in Tangier, living peacefully side by side. In 1856, Tangier had become the largest port in Morocco. During this time, the Jewish community of Tangier flourished and established schools, hospitals, charitable works and businesses. By 1925 Jews were assigned three out of the twenty-six seats on the Legislative Assembly offering them significant political power. After World War II, the Jews of Tangier enjoyed prosperous and cosmopolitan lives as they were minimally impacted by the war and offered protection by Mohammed V who referred to them as “Moroccans and not only Jews.” At its peak in the 1940s, there were 22,000 Jews in Tangier and Morocco's Jewish population exceeded 350,000. Immigration after the foundation of the state of Israel has diminished the numbers, but today there remains a small but vibrant community in Morocco which counts approximately 2,000 - 2,500 Jews.
• On our Tangier Jewish Heritage tour, we start our morning by visiting Tangier's Jewish Sacred sites and then continue seeing the highlights of old Tangier. The synagogues, cemeteries, monuments and communal institutions of Tangier show how important the city has been to the Jewish community over the centuries.
• Behind a non-descript door, located on Rue Synagogue in Tangier is the Moshe Nahon Synagogue. This last remaining operating synagogue in Tangier is monumental and lavish, ranking among one of the most beautiful synagogues in Morocco. Built in the 1870's, the Nahon Synagogue remained as a working place for Jewish prayer until it fell into despair in the late 20th century. Then in 1994, it was renovated revealing intricately covered carvings that are illuminated by stunning hanging synagogue lamps and Jewish artifacts. At one time, there were over 20 synagogues in Tangier. On Rue des Synagogues, there are many former synagogues. One of them, Temple Benatar, has been restored and is superbly decorated.
• We continue to Chaar Rafael, one of the last surviving synagogues and remnants of Jewish heritage in Tangier. This Jewish owned villa was built in 1919 and it was converted to a synagogue in 1954 when the owner, Raphaël Bendriahm died. Located in the center of the European city, Chaar Rafael is nearby the ocean cliffs where we can see the stone outlines of the tombs of the Phoenicians, who came to Tangier almost three thousand years ago.
• Historically unlike Morocco's other Imperial cities, Tangier did not have a formal Jewish Mellah. Instead, it had an unprotected Jewish quarter and we'll stop by for a short visit.
• We continue to the Jewish Cemetery (“the old cemetery”) in Tangier, featuring more than one-thousand graves, some of which date back to the 16th century. There are many important individuals buried here. Owned by the Tangier municipality, the Jewish Cemetery is open to the public and has caretakers who oversee it. While the cemetery has somewhat fallen to ruins with a combination of erosion and water issues, the tombstones have been digitized to offer those interested the opportunity to search the remains there online. The tombstones are in Hebrew, Portuguese and French.
• We'll enjoy the vantage point of the Colline de Bella-Vista then drive to see the Grand Socco, a popular nighttime square close to the Mosque of Sidi Bou Abib and the link between Ville Nouvelle and the medina.
• Option to visit the American Legation Museum, located in the oldest American consulate in continuous use. Since 1829/1923 when Tangier was established as an international city, there were many Moroccan Jews that served as American proteges, placing them beyond the law of the Sultan.
• Next, we enter the old medina at Rue Es-Siaghinie, the busiest part of this Roman medina, lined with cafes and bazaars, a Spanish church, jewelers' shops and an arts center displaying works depicting Tangier's social history. Walk Petit Socco, which was once the heart of the medina where businessmen and bankers frequented cafes, hotels, casinos and cabarets that have since relocated to Ville Nouvelle.
• We move on to visit the Grand Mosque, built on the site of a Portuguese cathedral.
• We stop to enjoy lunch in the Jewish cercle Chez Rica.
• Walking north, we next visit the Kasbah, decorated with mosaics, ornamental stucco and woodcarving.
• We visit the Cave of Hercules, the point of intersection of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and enjoy the 4km of sandy beach bordering Tangier. To enjoy the tranquility of the coastline, we suggest the east side of the bay.
• Balance of the afternoon and evening are at leisure for dinner on own.

Overnight in Tangier

Day 13: Friday, November 4, 2022: CROSSING NORTH (VIA FERRY)

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We are transferred to the ferry to cross over to Gibraltar. Upon arrival, we are greeted by our local Ayelet representative, and set out for an overview of this iconic island.
• The towering Rock of Gibraltar is a sight to behold. Overlooking the mouth of the Mediterranean from a height of 1,400 feet, it's a natural fortress. It's also home to huge caves and troupes of Barbary macaques that have taken up residence on The Rock's upper reaches. On the streets below, you can explore dozens of British stores and pubs, and marvel that you're a stone's throw away.
• We stop by visit the Old Jewish Cemetery near the entrance to the nature reserve.
• After time to refresh and check in, we continue to Shaar Hashamayim Synagogue, with its marble pillars, central pulpit, graceful carved pews and silver lanterns. Here, we learn about the history of Gibraltar and Judaism in and around the area. We'll hear from community leadership about Jewish life on Gibraltar, then join together for Shabbat services.
• We enjoy Shabbat dinner at our hotel joined by locals, followed by Zmirot after dinner with Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz!

Overnight in Gibraltar

Day 13: Saturday, November 5, 2022: GIBRALTAR

• Free morning to attend services or simply relax or explore on own in this magical place.
• Time for lunch and shopping in the Gibraltar Center.
• After lunch, we visit Europa Point, the southernmost point in Gibraltar and closest to Africa.
• We drive to the top of the Rock, where we enjoy a truly breathtaking view on our approximately 2.5-hour afternoon tour. We visit the St. Michel Cave, brimming with incredible stalactites and see the Barbary Macaques, synonymous with ‘The Rock' and undoubtedly Gibraltar's most popular attraction. The over 200 macaques in Gibraltar are descendants of various importations from North Africa by British troops, the last one during the 1940s. Today, the Gibraltar population represents the only free-living monkeys in Europe.
• We conclude with a visit to the Great Siege Tunnels, perhaps the most impressive defense system devised by man.
• Tonight, we enjoy dinner together in town as we recount all we have experienced together.

Overnight in Gibraltar

Day 15: Sunday, November 6, 2022: UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

• Transfer to Gibraltar and Seville airport for our connection flights home. British Air flies Gibraltar to JFK via London. TAP, Lufthansa and Iberia all have afternoon connection flights back to NY from Seville, which is a 2.5 hour included transfer from Gibraltar. Transfer will be around 7am, arriving to Seville airport around 10am, in time for afternoon flights out.

THE MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!!
*Itinerary subject to change

ABOUT PROF. STROM: Professor Yale Strom is an acclaimed violinist, composer, filmmaker, writer, photographer, playwright and a pioneer among revivalists in conducting extensive field research in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans among the Jewish and Romani communities. Initially, his work focused primarily on the use and performance of klezmer music among these two groups. Gradually, his focus increased to examining all aspects of their culture, from post-World War II to the present. For more than 3 decades and 75 such research expeditions, Strom has become the world's leading ethnographer-artist of klezmer music and history. In addition to his klezmer research Strom has researched, composed and played Jewish music that was influenced by various Arab cultures. This influence can be heard even in klezmer music. Strom will have his thirteenth book published (Shloyml Boyml and His Purim Adventure) in spring 2023. It will be a children's illustrated book (English/Yiddish) based upon his ethnographic research he did in Romania. Strom has lectured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and taught at NYU for 4 years, where he created the course “Artist Ethnographer Expeditions”. At present he is a professor in the Music Dept. at San Diego State.

ABOUT ELIZABETH SCHWARTZ: Elizabeth Schwartz has been called “The Edith Piaf of Yiddish” and “a revelation” with a superb mastery of klezmer ornamentations. As the vocalist for Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi and as a soloist, she has performed at festivals, synagogues and concert halls throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Her myriad acclaimed recordings of Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew and English have been released on the Naxos World, Arc Music UK and Transcontinental Music record labels. On March 18, 2012, Schwartz was invited to become the first woman in history to sing at the 125-year-old Eldridge Street Synagogue in Manhattan, effectively breaking the ban of kol isha in this landmark cultural venue. Schwartz is the subject of the Romanian documentary film, "Searching for Schwartz", by Radu Gabrea (z”l). As a writer, Schwartz co-created the award-winning audio dramas “The Witches of Lublin” and “Debs in Canton” for Suemedia Productions. She contributed a chapter on klezmer vocal technique to “Shpil: The Art of Playing Klezmer” (Scarecrow Press). Her recipes of Jewish food can be found on www.theweiserkitchen.com, “A Wandering Feast: A Journey Through the Jewish Culture of Eastern Europe” (Jossey-Bass), “Zydzi Od Kuchni” (Austeria) and “It's Always About the Food” (Harper Collins).

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