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The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance
NEW LOCATION: Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA
Please note there’s NO parking at Netivot Shalom or The Berkeley School. There is nearby transit, and parking in the neighborhood.
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Join the October-May monthly series celebrating The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance! Great for musicians, dancers, and enthusiasts to meet, learn, play, shmooze, or simply to take in the beauty of these rich traditions. Bring your instruments and dancing shoes.
For the December 14, 2025 session, music will be taught by the Klezmatics. Dance will be led by Bruce Bierman. Read more about our instructors below.
Session format:
During the first 2 hours we’ll have these separate concurrent workshops to choose from:
- Yiddish song with Lorin Sklamberg (song and accordion)
- Percussion with Richie Barshay
- Instrumental klezmer with Frank London (trumpet), Lisa Gutkin (violin) and Paul Morrissett (bass guitar)
- Yiddish dance with Bruce Bierman
Then participants will break for snack, and come back together to share what they’ve learned. The Klezmatics will play out the rest for an epic dance set.
Basic instrumental proficiency is recommended for musicians. All instruments, singers, and dancers are welcome.
Tickets are $25 – $54 sliding scale. Online ticket sales have ended. Tickets may be purchased 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.
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.
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, and other generous individuals, fiscal sponsorship and support by KlezCalifornia. We are grateful to our past host Sarah Wolfman-Robichaud and the JCC East Bay, and to our new hosts at Congregation Netivot Shalom.
Direct questions about the series to: JOY@KlezCalifornia.org
Instructor Bios
The Klezmatics are the only klezmer band ever to win a Grammy — and for the past 40 years, they’ve done more than revive a genre. They’ve revolutionized it. Since 1986, this trailblazing New York City ensemble has fused Yiddish tradition with punk, gospel, jazz, and global rhythms, creating music that is joyful, defiant, and radically inclusive. Their pioneering cross-cultural collaborations reshaped the world music scene and inspired generations of artists.
Series Dates