Music, a Gateway to the Soul: Classical Guitar and Torah Commentary

1957 Sheridan Road,Highland Park IL 60035

15 February, 2023

Description

The 2022 Jewish United Fund Russian-Speaking Jewish Division Tikkun Fellowship Recipient Liel Weil Presents: Music, a Gateway to the Soul, an Evening of Classical Guitar Performance with Guests Speaker Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky and Violinist Aviva Chertok An intimate evening exploring spirituality in music through the classical guitar music of Israeli composer Daniel Akiva performed by Liel Weil, and commentary by Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky on music through the lens and wisdom of the Torah: introductions to the Sefirot of Unkowability, Harmony, Resilience, Humility, Connection and Reception. Music, a Gateway to the Soul is JUF Russian-speaking Jewish Division’s Tikkun Fellowship project by Liel Weil and is funded by Genesis Philanthropy Group. Liel Weil A passionate ambassador of the classical guitar, Liel Weil is committed to sharing the music of the guitar with audiences everywhere. The 2018 recipient of the Ben Steinberg Musical Legacy Award, a nation-wide Canadian award, and a two-time recipient of the British Columbia Arts Council Scholarship Award for Promising Young Artists in 2013 and 2014, Liel regularly performs as a soloist in diverse settings and receives frequent praise for her expressive performances and charismatic presence. Liel is the Founder and Artistic Director of Tunes at Noon, featuring performances in green building locations in downtown Chicago in an endeavor to empower human connection and create sustainable communities through music. Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Mind Body Therapy, a private group practice in Chicago. He has a Master’s in Jewish Philosophy and Semicha from Yeshiva University and is a popular speaker and teacher. He is the author of a new book, Attached: Connecting to Our Creator, A Jewish Psychological Approach. Aviva Chertok Russian American violinist Aviva Chertok has performed around the U.S. as well as in England, Israel, Canada, China, and Italy (virtually). An avid string quartet player, Aviva won numerous awards, including 1st place at the Discover National Chamber Competition and the Rembrandt Chamber Music Competition, and silver medal at the St. Paul International String Quartet Competition. She has been featured on radio stations across the U.S., including Chicago’s WFMT, The Public’s Radio in Rhode Island, and on NPR’s From the Top. Aviva earned her Master of Music in violin performance in 2018 from the Royal College of Music in London, studying with Itzhak Rashkovsky and Michal Cwizewicz. Daniel Akiva Guitarist, lutenist, performer and composer Daniel Akiva was born in Haifa, Israel in 1953. He studied composition with Haim Alexander and guitar with Haim Asulin at the Rubin Acadamy of Music in Jerusalem, from which he received his Bachelor of Music with distinction and Artist Diploma. In 1987 he won the prize for composition and performance awarded by the Swiss Confederation. This prize enabled him to study at the Geneva Conservatorium with professor Jean Ballissa (composition) and with Jehonathan Rubin (Lute). In 1990 he won the ACUM prize for his work Mizmorim (psalms). His compositional pieces are greatly influenced by the music of the Jewish Shephardic traditions. His works include compositions for solo instruments (guitar, lute, recorder, flute, violin and piano) for chamber ensembles (children choir, voice and guitar, voice, cello and piano) and chamber orchestra (mezzo soprano and strings).