During the Holocaust, many people relied on playing and listening to music to make it through hard times, especially those confined to Nazi concentration camps.
Survivors’ personal stories of how music brought a ray of light to a dark period in their lives are told in Christopher Nupen’s two-part documentary, “We Want the Light,” being screened April 18-19 at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) to kick off the eighth annual Jewish Music Festival.
“I think it’s an interesting study of the importance of music under the most dire circumstances,” Judith Anderson, the festival’s publicist, said of the film, which is one of two major events happening this month.
Spanning through Aug. 5, the four-month celebration features a diverse range of performances by soloists and ensembles, as well as lectures and films. On April 26, Marian Leibowitz , head of San Diego State University’s music department, will talk about her role as both a performer and a philanthropist.
Created almost a decade ago by Roselyn Pappelbaum, who now serves as chairwoman on a committee of former and current musicians, the festival’s goal is to bring unique performances to the San Diego community.
“We’ve tried hard to present programs that would be different from already existing programs,” Pappelbaum said. “There is so much going on musically in San Diego that we didn’t want to compete, and I think for the most part we’ve been quite successful and even somewhat edgy at times.”
The screening of Nupen’s film will be followed by an audience discussion led by Nuvi Mehta, violinist and music director of the San Diego Symphony. Ironically, the film features performances by Mehta’s cousin, Zubin Mehta, who is recognized for his interpretations of the symphonic music of well-known composers.
The chance to view such a film should be taken advantage of by locals, according to Pappelbaum, who said she thought of the screening as both educational and emotionally moving.
“I saw it and I was just amazed that music transcends all cultures and all people,” she said. “A lesson leaned is that of people in a minority group and how they became accepted as mainstream because of their musical talent.”
Leibowitz, who is also involved with educating the public about music, will perform on clarinet in a duo with internationally recognized jazz and classical pianist Richard Thompson.
Her efforts at SDSU include raising money for inspiring young artists who are driven to start a professional career in music, according to Anderson, who added that Leibowitz will discuss the intersection between being an artist and an administrator dedicated to helping others develop their talents.
Both Anderson and Pappelbaum agree that the festival is accessible to all San Diego residents from all walks of life, boasting free admission for most events and a wide range of activities from which to choose.
“We encourage everybody that’s interested in music to come, whatever community they are in ” whether Jewish or not, I don’t think it matters,” Pappelbaum said. “It’s about music, it’s high caliber and I think everyone will enjoy it. I’d like to make it known that it’s out there for everyone to enjoy.”
Leibowitz and Thompson perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, and “We Want the Light” will run at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19, both at the JCC’s David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive.
For more information, visit www.lfjcc.org or contact the JCC box office, (858) 362-1348.