Music, activism, culture and education: Peri Smilow to perform at Norwich Jewish Center
NORWICH – Internationally renowned musician, performer, activist and educator Peri Smilow is set to be at the Norwich Jewish Center this Sunday, May 1, as the Center’s second featured guest in its ongoing cultural events series.
Smilow is said to have a unique ability to move people with her music, singing and speaking. She aims to impact children and adults to gain understanding and make connections with others of various ethnic and religious backgrounds.
“She is passionate in her commitment to community and in making social change,” read a release from the Norwich Jewish Center. “She combines her love of all things Jewish with an ability to touch people with her words and music – singing and playing – to transmit a deep love of heritage and people who want to make a difference.”
Smilow’s works have been heard not only throughout the US, but also in Canada, England, Singapore and Israel.
Her music is not only based on her faith, but also on her experiences as a cancer survivor, wife, and mother. She celebrates the importance of her relationships with loved ones, friends, and the greater community.
When asked why Smilow was chosen as the second guest in the Center’s cultural series, he had a plethora of reasons.
“First, she is just very, very good at what she does,” said Chirlin. “We [Don and his wife Sally] saw her in Albany and it was just phenomenal.”
Chirlin also explained that his mother and father, Morris and Helen Chirlin, both now deceased, were very involved in the community and were members of the Norwich Jewish Center since the 1940s. Chirlin said his father, Morris Chirlin, was the manager at Fishman’s, a member of the Common Council, and was involved in various other community events and organizations.
“This is how her visit ties in as part of the cultural contribution aspect, and the importance of it,” Chirlin said.
Additionally, Smilow is a relative of the Chirlins. Don and his sister Donna Nowack are proud to call Smilow and her husband family.
Smilow’s husband is Budd Mishkin, host of ‘One on 1 with Budd Mishkin, in which he interviews and profiles prominent New Yorkers with significant connections to New York City.
“The Chirlin family is a very large Jewish family based out of Albany, and some of the family plans to come for the Smilow event,” Chirlin said.
“Budd and Peri’s marriage brought together two very important people in the entertainment realm,” added Chirlin.
Chirlin said bringing Smilow to the Center seemed to fit in a way to honor is mother and father. He explained that his father, as the manager of Fishmans, called that area “his street,” and he made sure all the stores were taken care of. “My father was one of the leaders. He cared deeply about this community,” said Chirlin. He went on to explain that his father, as a representative of the Jewish community, worked with a local Reverend and Father, and the three used to meet to discuss economic issues. Chirlin said the late Joesph Benenati was also involved, and the four would travel to Camp Pharsalia to work with the prisoners at the time. Chirlin said his father additionally worked well with Fred Mirabito when he was the Mayor of the City of Norwich.
“This is why it’s important to me,” said Chirlin. “Smilow is very, very good at bringing churches and synagogues together. She is a really great performer, and is skilled at bringing various cultures together. She puts on a really fantastic program.”
Additonally, it will expand on the Center being available as a cultural center in the community.
On Smilow’s perfomances, Sally Chirlin said, “She brings a lot together that I am very impressed with. It really is just astonishing.”
Chirlin added that Smilow has programs for every niche, be it children, adults, activism, religion, education, and other components.
“Smilow has released several recordings of original contemporary Jewish music including the Freedom Music Project: the music of Passover and the Civil Rights Movement featuring an electrifying 18-voice choir of young black and Jewish singers celebrating the freedom music of their traditions,” read a release from The Center.
The Freedom Music Project was nominated for the Best Gospel Album of the Year by the Just Plain Folks Music Awards, and has been featured on NBC and ABC TV, National Public Radio’s ‘All Things Considered,’ and on Voice of America radio internationally.
Smilow holds and Ed.M (Masters of Education) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and has spent a quarter of a century working with children as an educator and ‘nonprofit entrepreneur’ in underserved urban communities.
Smilow’s performance at the Norwich Jewish Center is set to begin at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 1, and run until 4 p.m. The event is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.
Anyone with questions or are seeking further information can contact Don Chirlin at 336-7350.
Smilow is said to have a unique ability to move people with her music, singing and speaking. She aims to impact children and adults to gain understanding and make connections with others of various ethnic and religious backgrounds.
“She is passionate in her commitment to community and in making social change,” read a release from the Norwich Jewish Center. “She combines her love of all things Jewish with an ability to touch people with her words and music – singing and playing – to transmit a deep love of heritage and people who want to make a difference.”
Smilow’s works have been heard not only throughout the US, but also in Canada, England, Singapore and Israel.
Her music is not only based on her faith, but also on her experiences as a cancer survivor, wife, and mother. She celebrates the importance of her relationships with loved ones, friends, and the greater community.
When asked why Smilow was chosen as the second guest in the Center’s cultural series, he had a plethora of reasons.
“First, she is just very, very good at what she does,” said Chirlin. “We [Don and his wife Sally] saw her in Albany and it was just phenomenal.”
Chirlin also explained that his mother and father, Morris and Helen Chirlin, both now deceased, were very involved in the community and were members of the Norwich Jewish Center since the 1940s. Chirlin said his father, Morris Chirlin, was the manager at Fishman’s, a member of the Common Council, and was involved in various other community events and organizations.
“This is how her visit ties in as part of the cultural contribution aspect, and the importance of it,” Chirlin said.
Additionally, Smilow is a relative of the Chirlins. Don and his sister Donna Nowack are proud to call Smilow and her husband family.
Smilow’s husband is Budd Mishkin, host of ‘One on 1 with Budd Mishkin, in which he interviews and profiles prominent New Yorkers with significant connections to New York City.
“The Chirlin family is a very large Jewish family based out of Albany, and some of the family plans to come for the Smilow event,” Chirlin said.
“Budd and Peri’s marriage brought together two very important people in the entertainment realm,” added Chirlin.
Chirlin said bringing Smilow to the Center seemed to fit in a way to honor is mother and father. He explained that his father, as the manager of Fishmans, called that area “his street,” and he made sure all the stores were taken care of. “My father was one of the leaders. He cared deeply about this community,” said Chirlin. He went on to explain that his father, as a representative of the Jewish community, worked with a local Reverend and Father, and the three used to meet to discuss economic issues. Chirlin said the late Joesph Benenati was also involved, and the four would travel to Camp Pharsalia to work with the prisoners at the time. Chirlin said his father additionally worked well with Fred Mirabito when he was the Mayor of the City of Norwich.
“This is why it’s important to me,” said Chirlin. “Smilow is very, very good at bringing churches and synagogues together. She is a really great performer, and is skilled at bringing various cultures together. She puts on a really fantastic program.”
Additonally, it will expand on the Center being available as a cultural center in the community.
On Smilow’s perfomances, Sally Chirlin said, “She brings a lot together that I am very impressed with. It really is just astonishing.”
Chirlin added that Smilow has programs for every niche, be it children, adults, activism, religion, education, and other components.
“Smilow has released several recordings of original contemporary Jewish music including the Freedom Music Project: the music of Passover and the Civil Rights Movement featuring an electrifying 18-voice choir of young black and Jewish singers celebrating the freedom music of their traditions,” read a release from The Center.
The Freedom Music Project was nominated for the Best Gospel Album of the Year by the Just Plain Folks Music Awards, and has been featured on NBC and ABC TV, National Public Radio’s ‘All Things Considered,’ and on Voice of America radio internationally.
Smilow holds and Ed.M (Masters of Education) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and has spent a quarter of a century working with children as an educator and ‘nonprofit entrepreneur’ in underserved urban communities.
Smilow’s performance at the Norwich Jewish Center is set to begin at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 1, and run until 4 p.m. The event is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.
Anyone with questions or are seeking further information can contact Don Chirlin at 336-7350.
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