Benefit concert celebrating Adrienne Cooper (1946-2011), a Yiddish singer and scholar who helped launch the revival of klezmer music and traditions worldwide, including in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Food, language, and love are the themes of the 8th Annual Adrienne Cooper Memorial Concert and Dreaming in Yiddish Prize.

The concert will feature music from the cooking and singing show Cooper created in collaboration with Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics, ESN: SONGS FROM THE KITCHEN. The program will feature singers Lorin Sklamberg, Joanne Borts, Sarah Gordon, Eleanor Reissa, Psoy Korolenko, Zalmen Mlotek and others, accompanied by pianist Marilyn Lerner and an all-star musical ensemble. Authors Leah Koenig (The Jewish Cookbook, Modern Jewish Cooking) and Michael Wex (Born to Kvetch, Rhapsody in Shmaltz) will both talk about Jewish food.

There can be no better expression of “Dreaming in Yiddish” than ensuring the continuity of the Yiddish language by being a Yiddish teacher. This year’s Adrienne Cooper Dreaming in Yiddish Prize will be given to the innovative Yiddish teacher, Nikolai “Kolya” Borodulin of the Workmen’s Circle.

The concert is a part of Yiddish New York (YNY), the Yiddish Culture Festival in New York. It is free for YNY registrants. For non-registrants, tickets for $30 (plus service fee) are available online.

The event is produced by GOH Productions and Yiddish New York, with support by BBLA and Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences New York. Admission supports the Adrienne Cooper Dreaming in Yiddish Award, and attendees will receive a special gift bag of Jewish food.