The “Haggadah” is the book that is used during a traditional Passover Seder meal to tell the story of the exodus from Egypt. Thousands of versions of Haggadah books exist, each with the sole purpose of retelling the story of Exodus, but never before has there been a
musical haggadah. An interactive and multisensory program,
Crossing Over: A Musical Haggadah will convey the traditional Seder story with a musical twist, featuring professional soloists, a children’s choir, an orchestra, and art by Leonard Baskin. Audience members will enjoy a tasting of Passover ceremonial foods during the program. Audience members can relive the excitement of the Israelites freedom from Egyption slavery.
For
Crossing Over, Michael has composed music of jaw-dropping power. Not too long ago, we were looking at the end of the Haggadah and were creating our first draft of how that would look in
Crossing Over. We went musically from Elijah to Next Year in Jerusalem. I left our meeting feeling, perhaps for the first time in this way, like something really happened to me and for me with God's miracle of the Red Sea. We're hoping that those who attend these two performances will have that feeling as well. Isn't that the purpose of the Haggadah?
Michael Allen Harrison says, “Inspired by my father's dream for me to make a significant contribution to the Jewish Community and all communities of faith, I consider this to be one of my greatest achievements as a composer. This musical interpretation of the exodus from Egypt and the story of redemption and freedom will be a deep meaningful experience as we awaken our spirits this spring.”
About Rabbi Alan Berg: Alan Berg is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beit Haverim in Lake Oswego. He has also served Temple Beth Tikvah in Bend, Congregation Beth Israel and Havurah Shalom in Portland, as well as congregations in California and Massachusetts. He has taught courses in Modern Jewish History, Hebrew Grammar, History of Zionism, the Impact of the Holocaust on Jewish Theology, Bioethics, and more. Rabbi Berg has also published many articles on religion, music, and literature.
Rabbi Berg adds, “If you really want to know what Crossing Over is about, musically, spiritually and communally, you will have to be there. There has never been anything quite like its combination of music and Passover. Remember that crossing through the Red Sea is the shared Jewish miracle. Through this concert event we strive to give that to people in a way they've never experienced.”
General Admission tickets: $36 and Youth/Student tickets are $15
with festival seating only.
Patron tickets: $100 and include preferred reserved seating and “Crossing Over” CD
Tickets can be purchased online at:
http://www.oajconline.org/crossing-over-a-musical-haggadah
or by calling the OAJC office at: 503-295-6761
Sponsorship and program ad opportunities are also available for this special event. Please call 503-295-6761 for more information.
Crossing Over: A Musical Haggadah is a benefit event for the Oregon Area Jewish Committee (OAJC), a human rights and advocacy organization based in Portland.
To learn more about the OAJC, go to www.oajconline.org
