Divahn

“Divahn” is a Middle Eastern and Sephardic musical group composed of five talented women. The group includes – lead singer Galeet Dardashti, violinist Lila Sklar, cellists Amy Sue Barston and Eleanor Norton, tabla player Sejal Kukadia, and percussionist Lauren DeAlbert. “Divahn, a word common to Hebrew, Persian, and Arabic, means a collection of songs or poetry…The group captures the breadth and diversity of Mizrakhi and Sephardi music throughout the centuries, while simultaneously creating and redefining innovative directions for the music in the present.” (Divahn.com). While at the concert, I liked how the group got the audience involved with clapping and singing along even if they were not familiar with the words. I also liked how Galeet explained stories behind the particular songs. For example, she told the story behind Purim, a holiday that is very relevant and in the near future. Even though I attended Solomon Schecter as a child and participated in Purim activities and events, I did not know the story behind the holiday. Galeet told a shorter version of the story yet getting the point across in the short amount of time that she told it in. I would not usually listen to this music on a daily basis but it was a nice change of pace from what I would typically listen to. Even though I am of the Ashkenazi decent and not of the Sephardic decent, I still felt connected with the music. This music made me feel more connected to other Jews and especially to Israel, a place I hold dear to my heart.