Delia Nagar is on a mission—a mission to share the power of music to inspire and connect. To see her in her current life—living in Teaneck and working for SINAI Schools—you would never know that she has a background in music and a beautiful voice. Before settling in Teaneck with her family, Nagar, a native of Mexico, had a thriving singing career both in her home country and the U.S., a career which she left behind when she married and followed a different path. Recently, though, she has felt inspired to find a way to highlight the musical talent of women and girls in a comfortable, welcoming environment, and revisit her passion for music.
Nagar has had the opportunity to accompany SINAI students who visit with the older people at Senior Source, an organization that hosts free programming for seniors at The Riverside Square Mall. “It’s such a beautiful place,” she said. Loving the space and the people there, Nagar had the idea to run a musical event right there at the mall—an evening of song for women on an intimate scale. “My goal is to showcase talent in the community and give girls and women a place they can shine— and also provide entertainment for the women in the community so they can come together,” she said.
Nagar is very thankful to the leadership of Senior Source—Brad Ruder, founder and president; Leslie Greenberg, director of marketing and community outreach; and Tracy Kirstein, abilities specialist and aging in place coordinator—for agreeing to host the event.
She advertised the evening, coined “Ladies Got Talent,” on numerous WhatsApp groups to spread the word. The lineup consisted of four talented performers: Mia Yancobich, Miriam Kaminetsky, Shira Nagar and Nagar herself. “Getting up on stage and performing gives you confidence to keep doing it and you get better and better every time,” she said. The smaller, intimate setting is ideal for really focusing on each performer and their talents—and makes it easier to get comfortable being on stage.
Nagar decided to make the show a fundraiser for the new Chabad in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico—her hometown. The shluchim, Libi and Ezra Jaimes, are working on creating Jewish life there. Attendees were charged $18 each, with all proceeds going to the Chabad house. Thirty-five women attended and were blown away by the talent and soulfulness of the evening—and $558 was raised for tzedaka.
“It honestly was such an amazing experience,” Shira Nagar shared. “When I was on the stage I felt so alive and I felt like the sky was the limit. And I just sang my heart out. I had such a good audience—all of the beautiful women who I hope enjoyed the show. When you sing you open up your soul and let who you really are shine through.”
Despite the many community events geared toward women from area shuls and schools, Nagar felt that music has been missing from the offerings. “Shiurim are wonderful but if you inspire with music, it has a special power. Music is the power of the soul. All the songs were inspirational; they went right to the neshneshama.”
Attendee Aviva Edelstein said: “It was an amazing evening of talent, music and connection. There was so much positive
energy in the room, from the beautiful space to the incredible voices, the divrei Torah and especially the way it connected us with each other. I’ve been playing the songs in my head for weeks!”
Excited about keeping the momentum going, Nagar is already planning another showcase, and plans to incorporate practices and include coaching tips to enhance the performances. “There are many talented girls and women in the community. I’d love to recruit more singers, and want to include dancers as well to make it even more of an elaborate show.”
If you’re a talented singer or dancer, reachout to Delia Nagar at [email protected]. She would love to hear from you!
By Michal Rosenberg
