By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — The next Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices program, will feature the works of three of the leading Jewish poets from the Golden Age of Spain, Solomon Ibn Gabirol (1021-1058), Judah Halevi (1085 -1141) and Abraham Ibn Ezra (1092-1167).
The free evening, under the auspices of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture, will take place Tuesday, March 21, 7 p.m. in the Astor Judaica Library, Lawrence Family JCC. English translations of each poem will be read, followed by Hebrew readings of the original texts. One of the poems by Halevi will be sung in a Yiddish version by Elisheva Edelson, under whose direction, the 16-voice Beth Am Choir will also be participating. The choir will sing Hebrew songs that use these poets’ work as their lyrics. The talented Edelson also directs the Ohr Shalom Choir and teaches at Torah High School.
Rabbi Martin Lawson, Emeritus Rabbi of Temple Emanuel, will introduce each poet. The distinguished rabbi, who served, for 36 years at the SDSU-area Reform congregation, continues to be active in the community, leading Torah study sessions and doing volunteer work.
Although the English translations, some by noted poets, such as Emma Lazarus, were easily accessible, the Hebrew originals were more difficult to discover. Geula Hebron, Hebrew teacher at Torah High, found the Ibn Gabirol poems; Ilana Brosh, Hebrew poet, living temporarily in San Diego with her husband, Oded Brosh,visiting professor at San Diego State University, uncovered the Halevi poems—some as far afield as a Moscow library; and Israeli native, Elisha Blatt, interior specialist and Tarbuton volunteer, unearthed the Ben Ezra poems. The subjects range from religion to love, from nature to humor.Some of Judah Halevi’s poetry express his longing for Jerusalem.
The Hebrew readers will be: Elisha Blatt, Ilana Brosh, Geula Hebron, Yiftach Levy, Smadar Samson, Haim Schwartz and Jennie Starr. The English readers will be: Sara Appel-Lennon, Michael Horvitz, Jennifer Levy, Michael Mark, Simon Menkes, Rochelle Schwartz and Liba Sherman. Yiftach Levy and his wife, Jennifer, are leading members of Ohr Shalom. Haim Schwartz and his wife, Rochelle are long-time members of Tifereth Israel Synagogue and Chabad. Smadar Samson is the artistic curator for the House of Israel, and Jennie Starr is the founder of Tarbuton, which brings an array of Israeli culture and projects to our community. Liba Sherman is an active member of Beth Jacob Synagogue, and the other English speakers are members of the Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices Planning Committee, Sara Appel Lennon, a free-lance writer for community newspapers; Michael Mark and Michael Horvitz, published poets; and Simon Menkes.
This promises to be a memorable evening, reminding us of how poets have contributed to our Jewish literature and liturgy, and why we can proudly call ourselves The People of the Book.
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Wingard, a former violinist with the San Diego Symphony, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com