Detroit-Area Cancellation Won’t Impact May 16 Noa Concert at Har Zion Temple
Although a Michigan synagogue canceled a concert by Israeli singer Noa, citing threats by right-wing Jewish protesters, a concert slated for May 16 at Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley will go on as planned, the synagogue said.
“Har Zion is bringing Noa to perform as a leading international singer/songwriter. We are aware that some people may disagree with her political views,” the synagogue said in a statement.
“Har Zion is a diverse community with many viewpoints where open and engaging conversations take place on a wide range of subjects. We are comfortable bringing Noa to Har Zion to sing for those who enjoy her music. For those who oppose Noa’s views or her music, we respect their choice not to attend this event. We ask for the same respect for those who choose to attend.”
The Detroit Jewish News reported that Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, Mich., canceled a concert set for May 18.
In a letter to its members, the synagogue wrote, “Several credible threats of protest and demonstration have been planned in response to the appearance of Achinoam ‘Noa’ Nini at Adat Shalom. … We have been working closely with law enforcement and our security advisers and have concluded that based on these threats there was a high potential for disruption to the concert. As a result, and in keeping the safety of our community, our congregation, and the performers as our highest priority, we have made the decision to cancel the concert.”
Noa is known both locally and in Israel for her left-wing political positions. Those include support for a two-state resolution and of the “peace camp” in Israel. According to the newspaper, she had performed six times previously in Detroit since 1994, most recently in 2013.
Noa performed at Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell in 2013 with Arab-Israeli singer Awad, according to a Jewish Exponent article from that year.
Longtime Educator Huberta Wegbreit Dies at 89
Longtime educator Huberta Wegbreit, 89, died of heart failure April 30 at Freedom Village at Brandywine retirement community.
Better known as “Mrs. Wegbreit,” the elementary school teacher and principal spent 27 years in the Marple-Newtown School District sharing the importance of learning with her pupils.
When Wegbreit’s husband, Howard, died at the age of 38 in 1968, she dove into a teaching career to support her three young children.
Wegbreit worked for Marple-Newtown at Marple, Culbertson, Loomis, Alice Grim, Russell and Brown elementary schools. She served as the Marple-Newtown Education Association president and won its teacher of the year award during her career.
Mitzvah Food Project Seeks Delivery Drivers
The Mitzvah Food Project, which delivers to the homebound twice a month throughout Greater Philadelphia, is seeking delivery drivers who have a car and a few hours of time each month to work.
The project said 11,000 Jews in the region have food insecurity.
Contact Phil Holtje at 215-832-0815 or pholtje@jewishphilly.org for more information about working or the project.
In addition, the Choice Food Program needs drivers to pick up produce from a farm in New Hope to deliver to the KleinLife building. Your car must be able to accommodate up to 15 boxes. Call Susan Yitzhak at 215-832-0624 for details.
