Experiencing Jewsih Azerbaijan December 21, 2011

On December 22, the ancient and modern Jewish communities of Azerbaijan will come to life in a celebratory holiday event featuring Azerbaijani music, food, and holiday traditions. Experiencing Jewish Azerbaijan will take place from 1:00-3:00pm at Leisure World in Silver Spring, Maryland. All may reserve free tickets at http://experiencingjewishazerbaijan.eventbrite.com/.

In cooperation with the Coming of Age program at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, the Karabakh Foundation presents performances by two renowned musicians. The talented Jewish Azerbaijani violinist Vladimir Gamarnik introduces the sounds of his homeland, once considered the Conservatory of the Caucasus. Vladimir was a member of Azerbaijan's Academic Philharmonic Symphony for 20 years; today he tours throughout Europe and the United States. U.S. musician and lecturer Jeffrey Werbock will share his observations about the Jewish community of his adopted "second home" of Azerbaijan and will perform mugham, the national music of Azerbaijan. The community of Baku (capital of Azerbaijan) recently honored Jeffrey, who is considered a national treasure for his nearly 40 years of dedication to Azerbaijani music.

Executive Director of the Karabakh Foundation Diana Cohen Altman will help to launch the program with a brief orientation about Azerbaijan itself. A small country (the size of South Carolina), Azerbaijan borders Georgia, Turkey, Armenia, Iran, and Russia. Azerbaijan is a strategic ally of the United States. The country hosts the largest Jewish population, 7,500 people, in the former Soviet Union. In the Jewish world, Azerbaijan is famous for its ancient community of "mountain Jews" and also for its long tradition of tolerance and cooperation.

Traditional food of Azerbaijani Jews will be served, along with drinks. Program participants will have the opportunity to interact with presenters.

The Foundation's cosponsors for this program, the Coming of Age program, is an initiative of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington that offers activities, excursions, and special events to individuals age 60 and over. Coming of Age Director Frieda Enoch will open the program.

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