By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — Once again, showcasing talented poets and song writers in our San Diego County Jewish Community, Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices will present a program at 7 p.m. this Tuesday evening, March 4, in the JCC’s Astor Judaica Library.
The featured presenters will be Poet Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, Song writers Aaron and Milo Wolpoff of Congregation Ohr Shalom, and Poet Rebecca Leeman, student at Torah Hich School.
Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is a native of San Francisco. His ordination was as an orthodox rabbi, and he taught at Jewish Day Schools in New York and New England before becoming a pulpit rabbi in 1988, first in the Orthodox movement, then in the Conservative movement. He has a doctorate in pastoral counseling and has published books and written poetry. He is also a columnist for the San Diego Jewish World, where his commentary on Jewish topics as well as his poetry have been published.
Aaron Wolpoff is a 20+ year executive leader with a stellar reputation for marketing strategy, creativity, revenue generation and corporate development. He is the CEO of Double Zebra, which advises midsized corporations. He also expresses his creativity by writing lyrics which his son, Milo, sets to music.
Milo Wolpoff is a high school student who plays guitar and composes music. He enjoys collaborating with his father, composing melodies for his father Aaron’s lyrics. Aaron’s mother, Milo’s grandmother, Harriet Wolpoff, was the principal of Congregation Ohr Shalom’s Religious School for many years and the family continues to be active congregants.
Rebecca Leeman, a native of Cape Town, South Africa, is a senior at Torah High School where her English teacher introduced her to literature and poetry. Rebecca read one of her original poems at last year’s Holocaust Memorial program. She served as a student docent for the Labkovski Project, which brought the artwork of the Lithuanian artist and Holocaust survivor, David Labkovski, to the Gotthelf Gallery at the Lawrence Family JCC. Rebecca often looks to artwork for poetic inspiration.
Following the first hour of featured presenters, there will be a half hour of open mic, at which attendees are welcome to share their original work. The evening will conclude with a reception, refreshments catered by members of the Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices Committee. Host for the evening will be JP-JV member, Lisa Schwartz, who served for five years as Poet Laureate of Newtown, Connecticut before relocating to San Diego.
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Eileen Wingard is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.