World Music for Peace
The “World Music for Peace” concert promises to be a harmonious and culturally diverse celebration of music that transcends borders and unites different traditions in a shared pursuit of peace and harmony. This unique event will weave together the rich tapestry of Jewish musical heritage, including Hebrew, Ladino, and Yiddish melodies, with the vibrant and rhythmic flavors of Latin-American and even Persian music. By intermingling these diverse musical traditions, the concert not only showcases the universality of music as a language of peace but also highlights the interconnectedness of cultures across the globe. Audiences can expect to be transported on a captivating journey, where melodies and rhythms from these distinct backgrounds coalesce to create a beautiful mosaic of sound, promoting the message that through music, we can find common ground and foster understanding among people from different walks of life. “World Music for Peace” is not just a concert; it is a heartfelt invitation to experience the power of music to bridge divides and promote unity in our ever-diverse and interconnected world.
Sephardic Music
Ladino, also known as Judeo-Spanish, is a fascinating language that has historical and cultural significance. It originated among Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition. Ladino is a Judeo-Romance language that incorporates elements of medieval Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, Turkish, and other languages encountered during the Sephardic diaspora. It has a rich oral and written tradition, with a unique script called “Rashi” or “Solitreo” for its written form. Ladino serves as a bridge between the Jewish heritage of the Iberian Peninsula and the various cultures that Sephardic Jews encountered as they migrated throughout the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and beyond. Today, Ladino is considered an endangered language, but it continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Sephardic Jewish communities around the world as a symbol of their enduring cultural and linguistic heritage.
Puncha, puncha, la rosa huele,
Ke l’amor muncho duele.
Tu no nacites para mi,
Presto aleshate de mi.
Akodrate d’akeya hora,
Ke yo te bezava la boca,
Akeya hora ya pasó,
Dolor kedo al korason.
Muntañas altas y mares hondas,
Yevame onde’l mi kerido,
Yevame onde’l mi amor,
El ke me de konsolasion.
Si otra vez me keres ver,
Sale afuera te havlare.
Echa los ojos a la mar,
Ayi me puedes enkontrar.
Translation
Piercing, piercing is the perfume of the rose
For love hurts so much.
You were not born for me,
Quickly, get away from me.
Remember that time,
I spent kissing your mouth.
That time is already gone,
Only sorrow remains in my heart.
High mountains and deep seas,
Lead me to my darling,
Lead me to my loved one,
Who will console me.
If you want to see me again,
Go outside to talk.
Turn your eyes to the sea,
There you can find me.
Tu madre kuando te pariol
I te kito al mundo,
Corason eya no te dio,
Para amar segundo.
Adio Kerida,
No kero la vida,
Me l’amargates tu.
Va, bushkate otro amor,
Aharva otras puertas,
Aspera otro ardor,
Ke para mi sos muerta.
Adio Kerida…
Translation
When your mom gave birth to you,
And brought you to the world,
She didn’t give you a heart,
To love the other.
Goodby my dear,
I don’t want life anymore,
You made them bitter.
Go look for other love,
Open other doors,
Look for others,
Because for me you are dead.
Goodbye my dear…
Durme durme,
Mi alma donzeya.
Durme durme,
Sin ansia i dolor.
Ke tu sklavo,
Ke tanto desea.
Ver tu suenyo,
Kon grande amor.
Hay dos anyos,
Ke sufren mi alma.
Por ti hermoza,
Mi linda dama.
Siente, siente,
Alson de mi gitarra.
Siente hermoza,
Mis males cantar.
Translation
Sleep, sleep
My little soul.
Sleep, sleep,
Without anxiety and pain.
It is your slave,
That loves you,
Look in your dream,
With a great love.
For two years,
My soul suffers,
For you, joy,
My beautiful girl.
Listen, listen,
For my guitar.
Listen pretty one,
To my sad singing.
A la una yo nasi,
A las dos m’engradesi,
A las tres tomi amante,
A las kuatro me kazi.
Dime ninya donde vienes,
Ke te kero konoser.
I si no tienes amante,
Yo te hare defender.
Yéndome para la gerra,
Dos besos a la aire di,
El uno es para mi madre
Y el otro es para ti.
Translation
At one o’clock I was born,
At two I grew up,
At three I fell in love,
At four I got married.
Tell me girl from where are you coming,
I want to know you,
And if you do not have a lover,
I will protect you.
Before going to war,
Two kisses I will give,
One is for my mom,
And the other is for you.
Hebrew
Ose Shalom, iconic prayer that calls to bring peace for all
‘Hachnisini Tachat Knafech,’ where Bialik’s heartfelt plea for protection is beautifully matched by Paul Ben-Haim’s sensitive musical setting. The lyrics express a deep longing for refuge and comfort, invoking the image of being sheltered under protective wings, capturing the universal desire for safety and peace.