SAN DIEGO — Hannah Senesh (1921-1944) and (1924-2000) were two of Israel’s most celebrated poets. Their works will be featured in Poets of the Past at the Astor Judaica Library, Lawrence Family JCC on Wednesday evening, May 23, 7:00 p.m.
Rabbi Martin Lawson, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emanu-El, will speak about the life and poetry of Amichai. I will introduce the works of Hannah Senesh, the Hungarian-born poet, who was tortured and killed by a firing squad after attempting to rescue Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. She is one of Israel’s most revered heroines.
Amichai, internationally acclaimed, prize-winning poet, wrote with gentle irony and original imagery.
Senesh’s songs, “Blessed is the Match,”and “Eli, Eli,” and two songs by Amichai will be sung by Elisheva Edelson, director of the Beth Am and Ohr Shalom choirs. Ten additional poems by Amichai and eight poems by Senesh will be recited, first in English translation, then in their original Hebrew.
Native Hebrew speakers, Geula Hebron, Liat Alon, Yiftach Levy, Dor Gweta, Haim Schwartz and Tovek Lieberman will be joined by Jennie Starr and Myla Wingard, to read the Hebrew originals.
Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices Committee members, Sara Appel-Lennon, Michael Horvitz and Michael Mark plus Liba Sherman, Bracha Crayk, Leean Knetzer, Gabriel Mayer and Sebastian Mayer will read the English versions of the poems.
Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices members, Joy Heizmann will be the Master of Ceremony and Bonnie Baron will serve as usher. Gabriel Mayer will open the program with his arrangement of “Eli, Eli,” for solo viola.
Following the poetry presentations, light refreshments will be served. There is no charge for this cultural offering, and all are welcome. RSVP at www.lfjcc.org/poetry
Republished from San Diego Jewish World