Community Corner
Cantor's Concert 2014: Tales of the Unleavened
Tikvat Israel Synagogue in Rockville, Maryland, will present “Tales of the Unleavened,” a program of humorous and touching personal stories told by performers of SpeakeasyDC, including a pair of national news correspondents, and songs presented by Cantor Rochelle Helzner, Robyn Helzner and friends.
The storytellers include Neda Ulaby of National Public Radio, John Donvan of ABC News and Adam Ruben of the Science Channel.
Weaving a tuneful tapestry around the engaging stories, Cantor Helzner and her sister Robyn, a renowned Jewish folksinger, will share stirring songs of joy and freedom, celebrating the themes of Passover.
The storytelling lineup consists of the following:
Find out what's happening in Rockvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
John Donvan, the host and moderator of the Intelligence Squared U.S. debate series on NPR and a longtime ABC News correspondent, at one time based in Jerusalem, London, Moscow and Iran. He is completing a history of autism, to be published in 2015 by Crown.
Neda Ulaby, an on-air correspondent covering the arts and culture beat for National Public Radio.
Find out what's happening in Rockvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Adam Ruben, a writer, comedian and molecular biologist. A storytelling teacher for SpeakeasyDC, Ruben is the author of Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School (Random House, 2010). He currently co-hosts “Outrageous Acts of Science” on the Science Channel.
Daren Firestone, a New York actor turned Washington lawyer. He has appeared in TV commercials and in Paul Mazursky’s 1991 film “Scenes From a Mall” (as Woody Allen and Bette Midler’s son). He practices law with Stein Mitchell Muse & Cipollone.
Yev Kirpichevsky, a standup comedian and winner of the Story League’s Story Tournament’s Audience Favorite Award. He has performed at the Black Cat, the Arts Club of Washington and the DC Arts Center.
Shelly Goldin, an ex-banker and now professional volunteer. She developed her storytelling skills when she was president of Tikvat Israel, and she has since shared her stories in many synagogues throughout the United States and Canada.
Tickets may be purchased ($25 in advance, $30 at the door) either online (www.tikvatisrael.org/concert) or from the synagogue office (301-762-7338). Teenagers will be admitted at no charge.
About SpeakeasyDC
Named the “gold standard” in storytelling by The Washington Post, voted one of the top 3 open mics in DC by the Washington City Paper and nominated for the 2012 DC Mayor's Arts Awards for Innovation in the Arts, SpeakeasyDC has been entertaining audiences in Washington, DC, since 1997 and teaching the art of storytelling since 2007. Learn more at www.speakeasydc.com.
About Tikvat Israel
Tikvat Israel, which means Hope of Israel, is a 300-member Conservative Egalitarian synagogue located in Rockville, Maryland. Rochelle Helzner has been Tikvat Israel’s cantor for almost 30 years. She shares the pulpit with Rabbi David Abramson. Learn more at www.tikvatisrael.org.
