Los Angeles Museum of The Holocaust along with Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre will proudly present an international program of music and remembrance featuring Emmy Award-nominated composer Sharon Farber's Bestemming: Concerto for Cello, Orchestra and Narration. Conceived as a bridge-builder between cultures, the performance of the concerto will bring together the consul generals of Germany, the Netherlands and the Office of the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles, as well as members of SAG-AFTRA to unite against oppression in support of Holocaust survivors everywhere. Other supportive organizations which will be in attendance include, Jewish World Watch, the Daniel Pearl Foundation and Steinway Gallery of West Hollywood.
The FREE concert will take place on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 8:30 p.m., preceded by a FREE Shabbat service led by Rabbi David Baron starting at 7:45 p.m. at Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre located at 8440 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
Curt Lowens, whose heroism during the Holocaust inspired Sharon Farber's concerto, is responsible for saving the lives of 125 Jewish children as well as two American pilots.
Acclaimed cellist Ruslan Biryukov will appear as the Cello Soloist in the concerto, supported by the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of maestro Frank Fetta. Narration for the concerto was written by activist and Los Angeles Press Club Online Journalist of the Year nominee Richard Stellar, Sharon Farber and Beth Wernick. The event will be emceed by actor Bill Smitrovich.
Keynote Event Speakers will include, Dr. Bernd Fischer, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Los Angeles; Johannes Van Tilberg, Honorary Consul, The Netherlands Honorary Consulate in Los Angeles; the office of the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles and
Ken Howard, President, SAG-AFTRA, who will present actor
Curt Lowens with a special proclamation on behalf of SAG-AFTRA's 165,000 union members in recognition of Lowens' service to humanity.
Samara Hutman, executive director of the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust said, "The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust is honored to be part of the presentation of Sharon Farber's concerto Bestemming which is a musical tribute to
Curt Lowens, who as a young boy had the courage to fight against oppression. As a result of his actions,
Curt Lowens helped to change the course of the world as we know it today. This piece represents the importance of remembering those lost to the Holocaust, while cherishing and preserving the stories of those who survived. The concerto embodies the universal power of music and the arts to look deep into the heart of humanity and to inspire the community to strive for higher ground."
Composer and event co-producer Sharon Farber said, "I heard Curt's story at last year's Yom Kippur service at
Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, when Curt was introduced by Rabbi David Baron to the congregation. When I heard Curt's tale of survival and heroism, I was emotionally moved and knew that I had to bring his journey to life through music. There are precious few Holocaust survivors who are still with us -- their stories should not be forgotten. I hope that Curt's story, as well as those of other survivors from this dark time in human history, will live forever through this concerto."
Richard Stellar, event co-producer said, "My years as an activist for motion picture and television industry elderly exposed me to the fading voices of Holocaust survivors. Meeting Curt inspired me to keep these voices alive, and with Sharon Farber's concerto, we are now utilizing the music and the arts to accomplish that."
The concert will be kicked off with a performance of America's National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner sung by Ilysia J. Pierce, Cantor at
Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, and a performance of Israel's National Anthem, Hatikvah sung by teenage Israeli singer Shir Ordo making her U.S. performance debut.
An exhibition of Holocaust memorabilia, including artifacts from
Curt Lowens' life, will be on display in the lobby of the
Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre during the event courtesy of Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust with supportive material provided by Jewish World Watch.
Admission is free of charge for the Shabbat service, exhibition and concert performance of Sharon Farber's Bestemming. The Temple doors will open at 7 p.m. The Shabbat service will start at 7:45 p.m., followed by the concert at 8:30 p.m. Parking will be available on the street at meters surrounding the Saban Theatre and for a minimal charge at three area garages: Douglas Emmett Building (formerly the Flynt Building), 8484 Wilshire Boulevard,
Beverly Hills, CA 90211; the Karrass Building at 8370 Wilshire Boulevard (at Gale Street),
Beverly Hills, CA 90211; and at the Old Nibbler's Building, 8383 Wilshire Boulevard (at Gale Street),
Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
For further information about the event, please call the
Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre at (323) 658-9100 and visit the event's Facebook site at
www.facebook.com/bestemmingconcerto.
To learn more about contributing to an Indiedgogo Campaign underway to help fund this concert, please visit
http://igg.me/at/holocaust-concerto.
