Music often tops the list as an effective balm for periods of anxiety and uncertainty like those we have been experiencing. This fact is tried and true for longtime and highly experienced music educator Randi Wartelsky of Teaneck. Back in March, in communicating with her fellow music educators, Wartelsky suggested the idea of uniting school choirs of area schools into a musical community and creating an uplifting song that would bring optimism to their families, friends and neighbors. The idea was adopted and shortly afterward eight yeshiva day and high schools from New York and New Jersey joined in the project under the direction of their music instructors. They include Yeshivat Noam, led by Adina Mermelstein; Yavneh Academy, led by Marsha Greenberg-Motzen; and Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County, led by Carey White. New York schools include The Ramaz Upper and Lower Schools, led by Daniel Henkin, Dassi Rosenkrantz and Amanda Saperstein; the Heschel Lower and Upper Schools, led by Adena Korn and Naomi Katz-Cohen; SAR High School, led by Rabbi Kenneth Birnbaum; Yeshiva of Flatbush, led by Mordy Weinstein; and Westchester Day School, led by Chaya Glaser.
In deciding upon a song, Wartesky shared, “We searched for a song that would convey optimism in these difficult times to fellow Generation Zers and unite them in hope.”
At the suggestion of Adena Korn of the Heschel School, Bill Withers’ moving “Lean on Me” was selected as their inspirational piece. The song was then creatively arranged by Ramaz’s Daniel Henkin and supplemented with Hebrew lyrics by Ramaz colleague Dassi Rosenkrantz. Wartelsky then enlisted the expertise of musician and audio-engineer Yitzy Glicksman to create one unified vocal track. Videographer Uri Westrich of Drive-in Productions of Maccabeats video fame brought all the pieces together into a creative and meaningful music video that was released at the beginning of June.
On the screen, individual students were seen singing from their homes. From third-grade elementary school youngsters to young adult high school seniors, the students sang with gusto and enthusiasm and appeared to be totally engaged in the project. Some of the younger students sang while clutching their “comforting” stuffed animals. The choir directors of the various schools also appeared on the screen, equally enthusiastic and engaged. The result was a moving musical experience expressing uplifting emotions of hope and optimism in keeping with its intention. Student quotes were provided from responses of the students to questions posed to them online such as “What did you miss most while social distancing?” and “What do you wish for most in the future?”
Wartesky offered, “Our musical collaboration was an opportunity to show our youngsters that they have a voice and that their voices can have an impact on others. As the beautiful Hebrew lyrics convey, ‘Rely on me, do not be afraid, don’t lose hope, we will overcome together.’ We hoped to share light with the world one voice at a time.”
To view the Unity Song, go to https://youtu.be/__GEk2j6J8I.
By Pearl Markovitz
