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Date

Sun Apr 18 2027

Time

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location

Alameda County

Other Locations

Berkeley
Alameda County

Other Locations

Berkeley
Alameda County
Fiscally Sponsored by KlezCalifornia

The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance

Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA

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Piyutim (traditional Jewish liturgical poems) for Pesach (Passover) with Rachel Valfer (voice and oud), Faisal Zedan (percussion), and Mike Perlmutter (clarinet).

Session format: In the first 2 hours, participants choose between music or dance instruction. Then after a snack, all regroup to share what they’ve learned. Extra time continues the instructor led dance party.

Basic instrumental proficiency is recommended for musicians. All instruments, singers, and dancers are welcome.

Registration is $25 – $54 sliding scale, which may be purchased in advance for faster check in, or at the door.

Kids 18 and under can attend free.

No one turned away for lack of funds. Arrange volunteer/trade or reduced price entry in advance, or with the person at the door.

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Instructor Bios

Rachel Valfer is a singer and oud (Arabic lute) player who brings depth of feeling to every song. She studied Maqam and Persian dastgah modal systems in Israel and Palestine for six years at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, and sings with several ensembles in the Bay Area.

Syrian-born Faisal Zedan was inspired to play Arabic percussion at the age of 15. He received instruction from a distant relative, the only drummer in his village of Oum Dbaid.  Since moving to the United States, he has played with many of the greatest Arabic musicians, such as Ali Jihad Racy, Julien Jâlal Eddine Weiss, and the ensemble Kan Zaman. 

Mike Perlmutter has been performing klezmer, Balkan, and ceremonial Jewish music on clarinet and saxophone for over twenty-five years.  He currently leads Saul Goodman’s Klezmer Band and also coaches the Kehilla Klezmer Band. Mike organizes the Joy of Jewish Music and Dance series as well as other events in the community. He served four years on the Board of Directors for KlezCalifornia.

Bruce Bierman is a celebrated Jewish dance leader and maven known for his joyful, inclusive, and whimsical approach to teaching. With warmth, humor, and a deep love of tradition, Bruce gets everyone on the dance floor—circling, spiraling, and connecting through dances rooted in Yemenite, Mizrachi, Chasidic, Sephardic, Klezmer and classic Israeli traditions. His transformative dance workshops have brought communities together across the West Coast, inviting dancers of all backgrounds to rediscover the ecstasy and soul at the heart of Jewish culture. Where there is Bruce, there is truly a party—and an unforgettable experience of movement, music, and connection.

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2026 - 2027 Season

Additional donations are welcome to help sustain, grow, and cover the cost of this series. Additional donations would help cover travel costs of out–of–town instructors and many costs that are currently offset by donations. Donate here and please select “Joy of Jewish Music and Dance” in the dropdown menu.

The series is made possible by volunteer time and expertise of organizers Mike Perlmutter, Zina Pozen, and Bruce Bierman, as well as the financial support of Noah Youngs, Amos Lans, Ben Lerman, and other generous individuals, fiscal sponsorship and support by KlezCalifornia.