On March 2nd, 2004 J.M. SORKIN, in conjunction with Intercultural Journeys sponsored

featuring world renowned Palestinian composer and virtuoso of the oud and violin, Simon Shaheen, with Israeli Udi Bar-David, celloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

 

Simon Shaheen celebrates a special moment as Udi Bar-David plays on.

Jerry Sorkin has been involved with trying to build bridges between Jews and Arabs and Israelis and Palestinians since his days at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1970's and early 80's. In Sorkin's words, "the two sides have to first recognize the humanity of the other. Only then can political solutions truly be sought." Sorkin has found music just one of the numerous ways to bring people of both sides together.

 

Some of the audience of over 600 people enjoying the amazing performance.

This March concert was held at the historic Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania and was free, bringing out a crowd of over 600. A post-concert dessert reception was held next door at J.M. SORKIN to bring people together to enjoy food and comaraderie, as well as raise money for Intercultural Journeys. During the same day, Sorkin had also organized an assembly at Radnor High School so that the youth of the community can understand how music can be a means of building bridges.

 

Special guest, New Orleans based composer and jazz trumpeter, Hannibal Lokumbe, salutes the evening with an original trumpet solo.

Click here for more photos of the the evening's events.