Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Students Celebrate Through Song

Part of 13th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days Event
Daniel Pearl’s Parents—Dr. Judea and Ruth Pearl—to Attend

Weizmann Day School, New Horizon School, St. Mark’s School, and B’nai Simcha Jewish Community Preschool invite the community to attend their 13th annual interfaith Daniel Pearl “Harmony for Humanity” Concert on Oct. 15, 2015, at 11 a.m. The concert will take place on the Weizmann Day School campus located at 1434 N. Altadena Drive in Pasadena. This special concert brings together Jewish, Muslim, and Christian elementary and middle school-age children singing songs of peace and understanding.

This local event is part of a global Daniel Pearl World Music Days concert series (www.danielpearlmusicdays.org) honoring journalist Daniel Pearl, an accomplished musician who was killed by terrorists while on assignment in Pakistan in 2002. Pearl’s tragically short life was spent in the pursuit of fellowship and humanity across cultures. Since then, this annual program, commemorating his October birthday, has included over 11,000 performances across 130 countries including past performances by Barbara Streisand, REM, Sir Elton John, and Matisyahu, among many others. The uniting theme is “Harmony for Humanity” to honor the legacy of Daniel Pearl through the musical medium he loved and actively practiced.

“Lately, the news focuses on conflict within interfaith relations in our own country, and the challenges to achieving peace in the Middle East, yet there are so many positive stories to share – and this event is a perfect example,” said Lisa Feldman, Weizmann Day School Head of School. In fact, the schools have built on the special relationship created through these performances, and now the students write letters to each other, take field trips together, and share in learning activities, such as working together on an origami project that was displayed in the Pasadena Public Library as well as in Jerusalem.

As with several past years’ events, Daniel Pearl’s parents, Dr. Judea and Ruth Pearl, are planning to attend. Often, city, state, and federal elected officials come to the moving and inspirational event as well.

“Seeing our students sharing one small stage, and hearing their beautiful voices fills us with hope that our current generation will rally around our shared, commitment to humanity and to tolerance, and will overcome past obstacles,” said Feldman. “It gives everyone hope.”

As always, this year’s concert is free and open to the public.

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