On Tuesday morning, February 5th, University Synagogue hosted a community cultural concert. Chamber Music OC presented an interactive, engaging, and carefully crafted program, performed by highly talented and gifted young artists.
The concert was attended by 425 community members, including Holocaust Survivors through Cafe’ Europa, Heritage Pointe residents, students from El Sol Elementary School in Santa Ana, participants in the University Synagogue Bridges Program, University Synagogue Pre-School students, Irvine Hebrew Day School students, and Orange County community members.
Following the concert, attendees came together to enjoy a delicious bagel brunch, and to interact with one another. This event was generously underwritten by a grant from the Orange County Jewish Community Foundation. It allowed University Synagogue to reach way beyond its membership, sharing its mission of building relationships, providing intellectual opportunities, and making the world a better place with the broader Orange County community through this multigenerational program. In Interview Magazine, Matisyahu was quoted as saying, “Music has always been such an amazing tool for me to access self and emotion.” This program proved to be an “amazing tool” for University Synagogue to collaborate with the broader Orange County community, accessing and convening a variety of people and organizations.
SUE PENN, the Director of Congregational Learning at University Synagogue, is known for being an innovative and creative educator. Sue sits on the Board of Directors for JFFSOC and Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. Sue is committed to providing opportunities which allow every individual to learn and engage in community.