Matisyahu and Lamplighters Yeshivah
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0rIaVILsdo&feature=player_embedded
Jewish Hasidic reggae artist Matisyahu will perform a benefit concert on June 15th at Symphony Space in NYC to help raise money for Lamplighters Yeshivah, a new and progressive school in Crown Heights that he founded. As a parent of two children enrolled in the school, he is personally invested in the vitality and success of Lamplighters and is on a personal mission to improve the overall quality of Jewish education.
“Nothing is more important to me than the education of young children during their formative years,” said Matisyahu. “When my boys come home from Lamplighters they are happy, excited and curious about learning.”
Founded in September 2010 by Matisyahu and his wife, Tahlia, together with fellow parents of the Crown Heights community and long time educator, Devorah Kessler, Lamplighters Yeshivah uses a holistic, sophisticated and integrated approach to teach children Jewish and secular studies. “At Lamplighters, we provide our children with an integrated worldview,” explained Kessler. “The children are instilled with a deep love and knowledge of Judaism. Torah stories, Jewish holidays and Mitzvos themselves become a springboard for learning math, arts and sciences.”
For example, when learning about the fourth day of creation in Genesis, Lamplighter children explored the sun, moons and stars by researching space shuttles and creating their own rocket ships. During the lesson, a five-year-old student dressed up in an orange spacesuit, held the classroom Torah book and said, “One day, I want to take Torah to space.”With a 6:1 student to teacher ratio, classes are small so teachers can get to know and understand each child’s needs and interests. “Each child is a universe and if we want to support their education so they grow up to be engaged Torah Jews, we need to learn about their individual talents and challenges,” said Kessler, who also teaches at the school. “Chanoch lanaar al pi darcho, gam ki yazkin lo yasur meminu’ which means ‘Educate the child according to his individual way and he will not veer from it even when he grows into adulthood’ (King Solomon, Proverbs) is a guiding principle of our school.”
The intimate acoustic evening will raise money for Lamplighters Yeshivah and also help to find new and innovative ways to improve the overall education experience within the Jewish community. “I am doing everything I can to assure that Jewish children from a young age can receive an excellent education,” said Matisyahu. “Creating a school and education system where they can thrive is a necessary tool for their future and success.”
The concert will include a full acoustic set with songs from Matisyahu’s entire career, including his most recent studio album, Light, which debuted in the top 20 on the Billboard charts, Shake Off The Dust, Youth and Live at Stubb’s, which has sold over 700,000 copies in the United States. After the special performance, Matisyahu will answer individual questions from the audience in an open mike forum—a rare and exclusive opportunity for fans to learn about the Grammy nominated artist on a more personal and intimate level.
Tickets for the benefit are priced at $38, $58, and $108, which will include a premium seat and a VIP reception and photo opportunity with Matisyahu after the concert. One hundred percent of the concert proceeds will go towards benefitting Lamplighter Yeshivah and improving Jewish education.
Concert/ Benefit Details
Acoustic Concert With Matisyahu to Benefit Lamplighters Yeshiva and Jewish Education
Location: Symphony Space, NYC
Time: 8:00 p.m. Price: $38, $58 and $108 VIP tickets are available
Tickets can be purchased at http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/6789-an-acoustic-evening-with-matisyahuTo learn more go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167784576609846
For a full listing of Matisyahu’s summer tour dates, please visit www.matisyahuworld.com