07-Apr / 1 COMMENTS

Hello boys and girls! Now that we’ve entered full Passion Season Madness Mode, I’m a bit behind on my posts. I’m sure you can understand and forgive the tardiness 🙂

 

I was invited to sing on the 26th of March as part of a Yad Vashem ceremony in the Glazen Zaal, giving away four honorary titles of “Righteous among the nations”. This title is given to incredible individuals for saving Jews during WWII. Each of the people who received this honor risked their lives and the lives of their loved ones, defied orders against terrible odds, and stood by what they knew was true, in a time when it was extremely unpopular (to say the least). These actions maintained their own personal humanity, as well as the survival of the men, women and children they saved.

 

These local actions of defiance didn’t stop the war, but they promoted real peace. By not giving in completely to fear, these people embodied our hope for the good in man kind.

 

This was my first time singing in the Glazen Zaal, a beautiful venue that belongs to the Liberal Jewish community in The Hague. Its’ history goes some centuries back when it was built as a synagogue for the Portuguese Jewish community. It’s not a big synagogue, but it’s stunning. From the singer point of view it’s even better: The acoustics just takes your voice anywhere you want without muffling any coloraturas.

 

Big thanks to Anne Dunkelgrun from the Israeli Embassy who invited me and let me be a part in such a unique experience. I was extra lucky that day because the talented Willem Veldkamp was there and took beautiful photos. Check them out: