Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace is the true story of the men who brought lasting Peace to the Middle East. For the first time ever, the filmmakers take the audience behind the public veil obscured by a first-of-its-kind White House issued media blackout on the events. Behind the press conferences and into the smoke-filled backroom corridors of power during one of the world’s greatest historical moments – the 1979 Camp David Peace Accord and Treaty between Egypt and Israel.

To view the film trailer go to www.backdoorchannels.com.

Festival Dates are April 19-22, 2012 at select Malco Theaters. Festival Passes are $60. Check www.onlocationmemphis.org for exact date, time, location and individual ticket price.

Five MSU students participated in the Seder – Brad Krock, Daniel Snyder, Molly Rafaely, not pictured; Tavish Kelly and Will Lawrimore

Mississippi State University Hillel was honored to join the Jewish community of the greater Starkville area at Temple B’nai Israel, the synagogue in Columbus, Miss.

Temple B’nai Israel is a beautiful historic synagogue. The building has served many purposes over the years. Built in 1844 as a Methodist Church, the building was a military hospital during the Civil War, a private military school, a city gymnasium and a community concert hall. Upon purchasing the building for $2,400, the congregation began a program of renovations transforming the former church into the synagogue that would house them for the next 53 years. At the time, the total Jewish population of Columbus was estimated to be 63 people.

Temple B'nai Israel in Columbus

Temple B'nai Israel in Columbus

The service was lead by advanced math professor and student Rabbi, Dr. Seth Oppenheimer. Dr. Oppenheimer did a masterful job in explaining all facets of the Seder to us veterans as well as the guests in attendance. We would be remiss if we didn’t recognize Mrs. Emilie White, who was instrumental in organizing and planning the event.
Approximately 50 people gathered in the small town to celebrate one of Judaism’s most beloved and dreaded holidays. Passover is the celebration of Jews emancipation from Egyptian rule and is celebrated with a dinner of unique foods. As with all other celebrations, it’s all about tradition. Literally each food served has some significance or greater underlying meaning.

The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves throughout the Seder. But there was one particularly comical moment when the caterers insisted on clearing our plates that still had the egg on them. For some reason we missed the portion in the Seder where the egg is eaten, and everyone still had an egg on their plate. We had to keep reminding them that the egg was necessary for the Seder. They must have thought that Jews must really not like eggs.

As the semester winds down, we look forward to our trip to Israel in May.

Five MSU students participated in the Seder – Brad Krock, Daniel Snyder, Molly Rafaely, not pictured; Tavish Kelly and Will Lawrimore.

History Credits: http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/ms/BnaiIsraelColumbusMS.htm

Mississippi State University Hillel
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A scavenger hunt – similar to “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?” – provided a mini-tour of various countries around the world that are aided by the Joint Distribution Committee of the Jewish Federations of North America. At each station, the children learned a bit about the country, played games those children their age would play in these parts of the world and created arts-and-crafts projects related to that country.

Not only did the children enjoy the day, but the students from Vanderbilt who put the program together are STILL talking about how much fun it was!

Hillel members Molly Rafaely, Jordan Cohen, Jake Tobey, Elizabeth Raileneau, Tavish Kelly.

On March 31, 2012 Mississippi State University Hillel participated in the 22nd annual International Fiesta Day at Mississippi State University.

The event kicked off with a Parade of Flags with all nations in attendance carrying a flag down the historic Drill Field on the beautiful campus in Starkville, Miss. Molly Rafaely represented Israel for Hillel, being that she is part Israeli by heritage. The event also included entertainment, an International Pageant, native dances, food, games and the crowning of Mr. and Ms. International Fiesta by the Mayor of Starkville.

The International Fiesta has grown tremendously over the years into an extraordinary cultural sampling, and this year’s fiesta was no exception. Campus organizations represented their home countries from around the world including Nepal, Mexico, Phillipines, Pakistan, Iran, India, China, Korea, Germany, and so on.

Each country served delicious foods found in their native lands and dressed in appropriate ritualistic garb. Our booth served incredible home-baked goods including hamentaschen, pita with hummus, and challah with chocolate or cinnamon baked into it.

The fiesta was very successful for Hillel. We hope that you can make it out to next year’s event. It was an incredible opportunity for us to inform the public about Judaism, Israel and Hillel. Numerous guests stopped with sincere questions about Israel, and we even met a Jewish student who had just moved to the Starkville.

Hillel was generously supported by a grant from the pro-Israel group StandWithUs.

Hillel president Daniel Snyder and Molly Rafaely.

Mississippi State University Hillel has ordered a new shipment of shirts. They are only $25 including S&H and can be ordered by sending an email to MsuJewishLife@gmail.com. Include your size and shipping address. Pay through the donation site, and send an email with your information (shirt size and address) to confirm payment.

Donations are also greatly appreciated. You may donate here: https://www.facebook.com/MissStateHillel/app_18015191938

Mississippi State University Hillel
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Amit Peled

Cellist Amit Peled, whose profound artistry and charismatic stage presence have elicited comparisons to a “young Rostropovich,” makes his debut with IRIS Orchestra on April 21, in Elgar’s Cello Concerto, a lyrical, introspective masterpiece written in the wake of World War I. The concert opens with the Cinderella overture, filled with Rossini’s characteristic good cheer; and closes with Tchaikovsky’s Little Russian Symphony, a buoyant musical romp.The concert, titled Tragedy, Triumph, and Transcendence, begins at 8 p.m., at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), 1801 Exeter Rd. Single tickets are $55. In addition, dress rehearsals at GPAC, at 10 a.m. the day of the performance, are open to the public and are only $10 for adults; $5 for children. The Family Saturday Series, which features an interactive musical presentation and an “instrument petting zoo,” begins at noon on the day of the concert, and is $5 for adults and children. For further information, visit www.irisorchestra.org or call IRIS, 901-751-7669. For tickets, call 901-751-7500.

Although Amit Peled and IRIS Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Michael Stern are sharing the stage at GPAC for the first time, their ties date back to Peled’s youth, when he was the beneficiary of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, an organization both of Stern’s parents long championed. AICF’s mission is to foster the talent of performing artists in Israel. A list of the foundation’s recipients is a Who’s Who of classical music today: Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Daniel Barenboim, Shlomo Mintz, Gil Shaham, Yefim Bronfman — and Amit Peled. “Growing up on the kibbutz,” recalls Peled, “my parents — even though they gave everything they had — couldn’t financially support my musical education, buying an instrument, sending me to festivals abroad. I can easily say that without the AICF, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Peled laughingly recalls that he took up the cello in order to get closer to an older girl who already played the instrument. “Music was an integral part of our education on the kibbutz. We all got to choose an instrument in fourth grade as part of the school’s curriculum. But I got stuck with the cello, and never got the girl.” Peled’s choice of instrument might have been made on a romantic whim, but it was clearly the right one, and his talent was soon recognized by, among others, Michael Stern’s father, Isaac Stern. Peled feels “privileged to have worked intensively with Isaac Stern on many occasions in Israel. Making music with his son, who has been a musical idol to me for many years, is very meaningful. We are closing the circle.”

Michael Stern shares his late father’s assessment of Peled’s musicianship. “It’s no surprise that Amit Peled is making huge waves in the music world right now.” The younger Stern calls Peled’s playing soulful and profound. “He’s the perfect interpreter of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, a lyrical, introspective masterpiece that is one of the iconic pieces written for the cello. It is Elgar’s last significant work, a deeply personal reaction to the devastation of World War I, a haunting lament to an extinguished generation and a vanishing world. This profoundly moving work is without doubt a 20^th-century masterpiece.”

Flanking the aching poignancy of the Elgar cello concerto are two of the happiest works in the orchestral repertoire: Rossini’s overture to La Cenerentola (Cinderella) and Tchaikovsky’s exuberantly romantic Symphony No. 2, known as the Little Russian because of the composer’s use of Ukrainian folk song throughout the work. “While the Elgar concerto is the work of a composer late in his life, both of these are relatively youthful creations,” says Stern. “At 32, Tchaikovsky had much of his mature composition still ahead of him, and Rossini was only 25 when he wrote this utterly magical and inspired introduction to the opera. Both works are unabashedly open and joyous, especially the relentlessly buoyant final movement of the Little Russian symphony, which made them an irresistible combination to bookend this concert.”

IRIS and the Community
As part of IRIS’s ongoing commitment to mentor young musicians, Amit Peled, who is also a professor at the Peabody Conservatory, will conduct a masterclass at the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, 3775 Central, Rm. G-6, orchestra rehearsal room, from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 20. The event is free and open to the public.

Designed to engage persons of all ages, the third Family Saturday Series April 21 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. is a wonderful way for families to spend time together sharing a one-hour interactive musical presentation followed by a hands-on instrument petting zoo where children will be invited to the lobby to see all the instruments and meet the members of IRIS.  The afternoon is sponsored by ArtsMemphis, Germantown Arts Alliance, and Amro Music Stores, Inc.  Tickets for adults and children are only $5.

In addition to its mentorship and outreach to young people, IRIS is also committed to lifelong learning. Wednesday Night Concert Preview classes provide a relaxed way to learn about the music and composers on the upcoming IRIS program. Taught by Jamey Lamar, who holds a master’s degree in musicology from the University of Memphis, the Wednesday preview will take place on Wednesday, April 18, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the GPAC Green Room. Cost is $15.

Produced in conjunction with WKNO-FM 91.1, the popular live broadcast IRIS Friday Live Lunch allows the listener to become a part of the musical process as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Michael Stern rehearses IRIS for the upcoming concert. The Friday Live Lunch will take place on April 20 between 12:13 p.m. and 1 p.m.

IRIS dress rehearsals are open to the public for a small fee, and are a casual and inexpensive way to hear

Michael Stern, the IRIS Orchestra and the world’s most acclaimed soloists at their best. The open dress rehearsal for guest artist Amit Peled will take place at GPAC at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21. Tickets are $10 (plus handling fee) for adults, $5 for students (GYSO members and students from partner schools free) and may be purchased on the day of the performance at GPAC.

All IRIS ticket holders are invited to attend the Pre-concert Conversation led by Jamey Lamar at 7 p.m. prior to IRIS concerts at GPAC. Lamar will offer insights into the evening’s program, composers and guest artists and may be joined by special guests including soloists and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Michael Stern. The Pre-concert Conversation will take place on Saturday, April 21 in the Black Box of GPAC and is free to concert ticket holders.

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
IRIS Orchestra, Michael Stern, conductor
Tragedy, Triumph, and Transcendence

Amit Peled, Cello
April 21, 2012
GPAC, 1801 Exeter Rd., Germantown

Program:
ROSSINI: Cinderella Overture
ELGAR: Cello Concerto in e minor, Op. 85
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 2

Wednesday, April 18, 2012
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Wednesday Night Concert Preview  (GPAC)

Friday, April 20, 2012
10 a.m. to noon – Masterclass at the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, 3775 Central, Rm. G6, with Amit Peled (free, open to the public)

12:13 p.m. to 1 p.m. - Friday Live Lunch – rehearsal broadcast live on WKNO-FM Radio

Saturday, April 21, 2012
10 a.m. to  noon – Dress rehearsal  (open to the public)

12 noon to 2 p.m. – Saturday Family Series with the IRIS Orchestra followed by an Instrument Petting Zoo with IRIS musicians

7 to 7:45 p.m. – Pre-concert Conversation

8 p.m. – IRIS concert featuring Amit Peled

BIOS
Amit Peled has performed as soloist with the Baltimore Symphony, the Columbus Symphony, the Jerusalem Symphony; and has performed and given masterclasses at the Marlboro Music Festival, Newport Music Festival, Seattle Chamber Music Festival, Heifetz International Music Institute, Schleswig-Holstein Festival and Euro Arts Festival in Germany, Gotland Festival in Sweden, Prussia Cove Festival in England, The Violoncello Congress in Spain, and the Kfar Blum Music Festival in Israel. Mr. Peled has recently released two critically acclaimed CDs: “The Jewish Soul” and “Cellobration” under the Centaur Records Label. Peled has been featured on television and radio stations throughout the world, including NPR’s “Performance Today,” WGBH Boston, WQXR New York, WFMT Chicago, Deutschland Radio Berlin, Radio France, Swedish National Radio & TV, and Israeli National Radio & TV. One of the most sought-after cello pedagogues in the world, Peled is a professor at the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University and plays a rare Andrea Guarneri cello, ca. 1689.

Michael Stern is IRIS Orchestra’s founding artistic director and its principal conductor. Under his direction, IRIS Orchestra has been unanimously heralded for the brilliance of its playing, its varied programming with special emphasis on American contemporary music, and its acclaimed recordings on the Naxos and Arabesque labels. Stern is also entering his seventh season as music director of the Kansas City Symphony, which has been hailed for its remarkable artistic and institutional growth and development since his tenure began. In addition to his work in Kansas City and with IRIS Orchestra, Stern has conducted major orchestras in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East.  He studied at The Curtis Institute of Music under the tutelage of noted scholar and conductor Max Rudolf and earned a bachelor’s degree in American history at Harvard University.

The IRIS Orchestra was founded in September of 2000 by conductor Michael Stern at the invitation of Albert Pertalion, former executive director of the Germantown Performing Arts Centre. Comprised of musicians from all over the United States, IRIS has been heralded not only for the excellence of its playing and range of its programming, but also for its originality as a model for an American orchestra. IRIS’s recordings have attained national recognition. Its first CD, the music of Stephen Hartke, earned a place on The New York Times’ “Year’s Ten Best” in 2002. IRIS’s recording of Rorem’s Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, After Reading Shakespeare, was named one of the Ten Best of 2007 by the Chicago Tribune. Its most recent CD, Forgotten Chants and Refrains, featuring the music of Jonathan Leshnoff, was named “One of the 10 Best CDs of 2010” by the music critic of the Baltimore Sun.  The IRIS Orchestra has presented a remarkable array of soloists including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinists Midori, Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell; pianists Yefim Bronfman, Emanuel Ax and Garrick Ohlsson; and sopranos Dawn Upshaw and Heidi Grant Murphy. The list of commissioned composers is equally distinguished, including Stephen Hartke, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, William Bolcom, Ned Rorem, Jonathan Leshnoff, Huang Ruo, Chris Brubeck, and Adam Schoenberg.

Cooper MACS. Photos Yeshiva University © All Rights Reserved

After snatching two more trophies at New York’s Yeshiva University Monday, it might be time to clear out some more space on Eli Osdoba’s mantle for his basketball awards.

Osdoba, Cooper ’s 5-11 point guard earned his fourth tournament trophy of the year when he was named Tier II Most Valuable Player at the Red Sarachek Tournament. Osdoba lined up all-tournament status at November’s Cooper Invitational in Memphis and took the Most Valuable Player awards in the Collierville League and the Shelby County Basketball League Championships, respectively. And he’s doesn’t seem to be through yet. His aim is to make his senior 2012-13 campaign his best. “Maybe we can win Tier I next year,” he said.

Osdoba finished tournament play, scoring 86 points at a 21.5 ppg. clip. He concluded his run in New York by scoring 25 points against the JEC Thunder in the Tier II championship game.

“It feels great to be thought of as the star player,” Osdoba said, “but I don’t roll out of bed and come straight to the court. I work hard everyday for this. I go running, I lift weights, so I’ve prepared myself. I’m just happy we had such a good year.

“I guess I’ll take a few weeks off and then go back to the gym,” he said. “I need to get in better shape.”

Shudder the thought for any opposing coaches.

“He’s got a little work left to do on his jump shot,” head coach and former MACS and YU standout Richard Lewis added. “Once he gets that taken care of, he’ll be virtually unstoppable. He’s dominating on both sides of the court. That’s rare for someone to be that strong on both sides of the court.”

Eli Osdoba goes for two: Photos Yeshiva University © All Rights Reserved

But Memphis’ Cooper is clearly more than a one-man team. Bryan Itkowitz snagged all-star status for his stellar play in the paint. And guards Justin Wruble and Gabe Goldstein’s defense and three-point plays fell in crucial moments throughout the tournament. Asher Silberman’s 17 points down low kept the momentum going in the semifinals while 5-5 starting center Seth Goldstein set the tone with his gritty play.

Justin Wruble It's up....and swish. Photos Yeshiva University © All Rights Reserved

33 Seth Goldstein defends an inbounds pass. Photo Yeshiva University © All Rights Reserved

But it was Osdoba whose lay up and subsequent trip to the foul line made it possible for the MACs to take the 54-51 thriller and upset the No.8 Thunder from New Jersey.

“Definitely one of the biggest wins in school history,” Lewis said. “It’s the first time in 20 years that our team has won a Tier II championship. This is a huge accomplishment,” a still beaming but tired Lewis said.

“Everybody up there was talking about us and Eli,” he continued. “We were really the Cinderella story of the tournament.”

Asher Silberman for the stickback. Photos Yeshiva University © All Rights Reserved

Nerves seemed to be the only thing that rattled the MACS during their 2-1 weekend play. Cooper opened first-round play sluggishly against Houston’s Bnei Akiva, and despite a ferocious fourth quarter comeback, fell to Beren, 54-51.

“The team was nervous,” Lewis said. “We’re not used to playing in front of 200 people. It took us a couple quarters to get going. But after that Osdoba and crew went to work setting up an impressive stretch of play that began with pre-season play at the JCC last November.

Next year promises the same excitement with everyone returning except senior Jeremy Cooper. Lewis and assistant coach Craig Wiener are expected to return as well. “We’ll be back. How could we not return with the season that we’ve had,” Lewis said.

Bryan Itkowitz hits a three. Photos Yeshiva University © All Rights Reserved

It’s certainly been a year of note for the MACS, especially for a school with such a small enrollment. Their unprecedented season produced a strong showing at the Cooper Invitational in November and championship caliber play in the Shelby County Basketball League, the Collierville Preseason tourney and at the Sarachek. They finished the year ranked No.14 in Jewish Hoops America.

One Sunday in February, Knoxville Jewish Alliance (KJA)  Mitzvah Day volunteers spend a full of day participating in charitable deeds for  local charities collecting food and items, making repairs and painting. Our teens coordinate activities at homeless shelters and other charities. While some activities are local, we also collect items for Israeli or other Jewish entities in the U.S. or abroad. The entire community participates and  the activities are geared to all ages, from preschool to adult.

Our teen philanthropy program involves teens, their respective religious institutions and the KJA contributing money to establish a $500 donor fund at the time of the teen’s bar or bat mitzvah. Teens gather annually to discuss and learn about charitable giving, research charities, present their research and vote on which charities to fund. Teens can continue to save in their funds. The program teaches the philanthropic process in a hands-on manner.

Camp Tikkun Olam is a teen summer foreign exchange program where Knoxville teens spend time in Israel with teens from our sister city of Hadera. Then their Israeli teen counterparts return to the U.S. to spend time here. Teens travel and learn about each country, and also perform community service projects in each country as part of the tikkun olam mission. Projects have included working with at-risk children in Knoxville and with Ethiopian and at-risk children in Israel, teaching about Israel at summer camps, and working on kibbutz and community gardens.

The Second Harvest Food Bank engages all Knoxville-area Jewish organizations during the High Holidays and when shortages arise in the Knoxville community.

The program, called “Kivun,” is designed to enhance the skills of staff not only in their specialty areas, but also in the integration of Jewish content and knowledge in their work with campers. It will provide experiential learning with experts in the field, as well as skills training that can be practically and immediately applied in their camp settings. The program is also expected to have an impact on increasing rates of staff retention, by deepening the commitment of specialty staff to the camp and to the field of informal Jewish education.

In the coming months, camp specialists from URJ and Ramah camps will join together for training in a wide range of camp specialty areas including sports, arts, and outdoor adventure. In addition, there will be specialty training for staff members working in the camps’ special needs programs.

Once the program is established and past its pilot phase, Ramah and URJ will seek to increase the number of specialty areas involved in the training program and will explore opportunities to involve additional camping movements.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ramah on creating the Kivun specialty training program,” said Paul Reichenbach, Director of URJ Camping and Israel Programs. “Kivun will have a transformative impact on the staff members that participate and on the Jewish educational experiences that our camps provide.”

“Ramah believes the two camping movements can benefit greatly from sharing resources and seeking points of professional connection, to benefit our staff, campers, and families,” said Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, Director of the National Ramah Commission. “This grant will enable Ramah and URJ Camps to broaden the Jewish engagement and learning that campers experience through the many specialty areas we offer, and enrich the immersive Jewish experiences that inspire campers to lead Jewish lives.”

Epicureans will indulge in Oceania Cruises’ new Riviera, which is setting new standards for culinary excellence at sea with 10 dining venues, six of which are no-charge, gourmet restaurants. Some of the choices include a French bistro by Master Chef Jacques Pépin, a steakhouse featuring continental cuisine with fine cuts of Prime, dry-aged beef, chops and fresh seafood, a Tuscan restaurant including savory Italian specialties, and an Asian Fusion option.

“Our guests are in for a true epicurean odyssey with Riviera,” states Kunal S. Kamlani, the line’s president. “Riviera offers diverse dining experiences that cater to the palates of inquisitive travelers.” Other venues include optional wine dinners at La Reserve by Wine Spectator hosting tastings and seven-course pairing dinners with premium wines (extra charge for wines) and Privée, a posh private dining room where eight fortunate guests can create a personalized menu featuring such specialties as Kobe beef, Brittany lobsters, foie gras, caviar and truffles. (add’l room charge) The 1,250-guest ship, along with her sister ship Marina, were designed for food and wine lovers with an ambitious goal to offer dining experiences rivaling some of the world’s very best restaurants.

Oceania Cruises’ new Riviera and the Marina offer custom-crafted accommodations that are reminiscent of an elegantly appointed private residence. The ship’s 625 staterooms and glamorous suites are among the most spacious at sea. “Riviera and her sister ship Marina have been designed specifically for the upper-premium market,” stated Kamlani. “The attention to detail is evident from the moment guests embark. Nothing has been overlooked. Quite simply, from a design perspective, these ships are without peer in the industry.” Stateroom amenities include a flat-panel TV, laptop computer with wireless access, refrigerated mini bar, security safe, writing desk, plush terry robes, bed slippers, and an oversized marble and granite bathroom. In fact, most staterooms feature a separate tub and shower, a rarity among upper-premium cruise ships. Owner’s Suites offer 2,000+ square feet of luxury unlike any suites at sea. The suites are completely appointed from furniture and fabrics to lighting and bedding using the acclaimed Ralph Lauren Home collection. “The Owner’s Suites on Riviera and Marina can best be described as glamorous,” according to Kamlani. “Guests universally say ‘wow’ upon entering the foyer, with its baby grand piano, wet bar, domed ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows.” In addition to the standard stateroom amenities, suite guests enjoy the added luxury of Champagne upon arrival, 1,000-thread-count linens, 42” plasma TV, Hermès and Clarins bath amenities, butler service, and en-suite delivery from any of the ship’s restaurants.

Oceania Cruises’ new Riviera also features a Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, a Bon Appétit Culinary Center and Artist Loft enrichment center. Interior design highlights include a Lalique-designed grand staircase and elegant public rooms. Oceania Cruises® is the world’s only upper-premium cruise line that offers an unrivaled combination of the finest cuisine at sea, elegant accommodations, exceptional personalized service and extraordinary value. Award-winning itineraries visit more than 300 ports in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Americas aboard the luxurious Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina and the new Riviera.

Oceania Cruises is offering 2-for-1 cruise fare with free airfare, plus up to $3000 bonus savings per stateroom, plus $200 onboard credit on their 2012 European Voyages. Limited availability/offers expire March 31, 2012. For more information or to make reservations contact Debbie Rosenthal with CruiseOne at 901.682.5600/ toll-free at 800.278.3005 or visit www.cruiseone.com/drosenthal.

Lipman’s mother, Frances Goldman, was a cantor at Richmond, Virginia’s, reform synagogue, Beth Ahabah, and so as a child, she was literally dragged into it.

Joanna Lipman

“I spent a lot of time in services while my mom sang,” Lipman recalls. “I used to hide in the choir loft,” she added, laughing.

Her father, Dr. Stanley Goldman, also expanded Lipman’s musical horizons. “My dad grew up in the Bronx,” she says. “Everyone back then had to take piano in school. While he didn’t like piano, he loved playing the trumpet. He still plays today in a Big Band.”

With musically inclined parents, came a musical social circle. “Many of my parents’ friends were interested in music or were members of the orchestra,” Lipman says. “This passion trickled down to me.”

Lipman has an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in theatre arts and a graduate degree from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. When she moved to Memphis in the summer of 2003, she became involved with local theater at Playhouse on the Square, both as an actor and a board member. She noticed many artistic venues didn’t seem to garner much attention.

“The arts were always a part of my life, and I have had discussions over the years with my parents and their friends about the state of the arts in the future,” Lipman says. “I was worried about the lack of emphasis on music and arts in the schools these days. Would small theaters and symphonies disappear?”

So, it felt like a calling, she says, when a friend invited her for coffee a few years ago to discuss a new grassroots project with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

“All of the symphonies across the country were facing economic hardships,” Lipman says. “This group was trying to figure out a way to make the symphony more relevant to a new audience. I thought, I have to take on this challenge.”

Enter Opus One, Memphis Symphony’s musician-led concert series, which partners the orchestra with different musicians in non-traditional settings. Lipman, the current steering committee chair, is helping plan the events and secure sponsors for the series.

Joey Salvalaggio with oboe. Photo credit: Wayne Campbell Jr.

The initial question the committee asked, Lipman says, was: “Would the idea of offering a less expensive ticket price at an unconventional venue with a recognizable local artist bring the people in?”

The answer: An unequivocal “Yes.” The first concert, Susan Marshall at The Warehouse, was a sell-out.

“People loved it,” Lipman says. “The audience was completely blown away that the orchestra could play any style of music. And the orchestra really wanted an audience that was excited by what they played. It was a win-win.”

Now in its third year, Opus One opened its season to a packed crowd listening to award-winning rapper Al Kapone on Beale Street. Upcoming concerts include Latin-Jazz singer Marcela Pinilla and the Southern rock band Lucero.

Marcela Pinilla. Photo credit: Christopher Parks

Lucero Photo Credit: Melissa Anderson Sweazy

“We want to keep pushing boundaries, keep testing audiences and keep them coming back,” Lipman says.

And, similar to her parents’ tactics, Lipman is continuing the tradition of early musical exposure with 5-year-old Allegra, her daughter with husband Josh.

“I bring Allegra to many of the rehearsals,” Lipman says. “I think it’s important to witness it at a young age. Kids respond to it, they ask for it. There will always be television and video games and the latest and greatest technologies, but the performing arts open up so many possibilities. You can’t replace it.”

For more information about Opus One, visit www.opusonememphis.com