Temple Judea in Coral Gables has scheduled a Benefit Concert: Teach a Nation to Fish on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the synagogue, 5500 Granada Blvd.
The event is to raise money for a mental health clinic in Sierra Leone, Africa, which offers mental health services, Ebola prevention and now a 10-bed domestic violence shelter. You can read more about the clinic, the Commit and Act Center, at www.commitandact.com.
Jodi Rozental is the cantorial soloist of Temple Judea and her husband, Ruben Rozental, who is the comptroller of Commit and Act, is spearheading the event. Ruben recently left for Sierra Leone for two weeks and was to send video footage to be posted on social media and shown at the event.
Shelly Berg, dean of UM’s Frost School of Music, is the headline act. He is an acclaimed pianist who has performed and recorded with top music industry professionals. He has orchestrared music for television, motion pictures and major orchestras.
His CD, Blackbird (Concord), reached No. 1 on jazz radio. Recent recording, arranging and producing projects include Gloria Estefan’s latest CD, The Standards; a solo CD, The Nearness of You, and Arturo Sandoval’s Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning A Time for Love.
Also performing are The Rhythm & Jews, Temple Judea’s house band formed by cantorial soloist Jodi Rozental in 2007. Daniel Strange, the band’s pianist, has been there from the start. Today the band includes Brazilian percussion specialist Brian Potts, percussionist and vocalist Sharon Goldman, and bass player Geoff Saunders.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.commitandact.com. They are $30 for general admission and $50 for VIP.
