Ne’imah Chorus adds new director, accompanist and readies for September rehearsal resumption

BEN GRUDER

The Ne’imah Jewish Community Chorus is singing again. The new music director is Ben Gruder of Hoboken, N.J. A composer, arranger and musician, Gruder is also the director of Kol Rinah Chorale in Briarcliff Manor since 2006, and Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale, in Manhattan, since 2002.

Gruder became the music director for Ne’imah last fall and rehearsals began on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.  A new and locally based, accompanist, Alison Moore has also begun involvement with the chorus.

Sherry Kearns, Ne’imah’s president, said, “Mr. Gruder’s goal, with each of the choruses he directs, is to bring them up to a more professional level of performance while teaching the members proper techniques of choral singing.” As returning and new singers joined the chorus under Gruder’s direction, Ne’imah was able to perform a concert at The Summit in Slingerlands on March 16 and on the Daughters of Sarah campus on June 29.

The Ne’imah Jewish Community Chorus, founded in 1992, performed throughout the Capital District for 28 years before the pandemic hit, which caused the chorus to take a hiatus for four years.

During that time, Music Director Anna Dubrova, now director emerita, retired.

Ne’imah, a four-part, non-audition chorus, sings Jewish compositions in Hebrew, English, Yiddish, Ladino and other languages. Pieces from centuries ago and current pieces by new composers are part of its repertoire.

According to organizers, when rehearsals resume on Sunday, Sept. 14, the chorus will be seeking to add new singers. Rehearsals will be on Sundays from 4 – 6p.m. at B’nai Shalom, 420 Whitehall Rd., Albany. Although no audition is necessary, Ne’imah hopes to attract singers striving to perform at a professional level.

According  to  Ne’imah’s President Kearns, “If you love to sing Jewish music, enjoy learning old and new styles of Jewish music and are excited to expose audiences to what Jewish music has to offer, Ne’imah would welcome you.” Interested individuals may contact Kearns at sherrykearns33@yahoo.com for information and to add their  names to a list to be sent e-mail information later in the summer.