‘Harmony’ dances into the Five Towns

JEP/Nageela will present “Harmony XIII” to the community on Feb.  15, 16 and 22 at Lawrence High School. JEP/Nageela is a Lawrence-based organization which has presented the core values of Yiddishkeit (Jewish customs and practices) to children from different walks of life in a fun and inspirational way for more than 30 years.

Many women and girls from the Five Towns and Far Rockaway will take part in the exclusive song and dance performances for three nights of near sold-out shows while supporting the long-standing community outreach organization. 

Evy Guttman, the director, chief choreographer, and kinetically-powered producer of all the girl’s pieces, views Harmony as a labor of love, as she orchestrates hundreds of young girls from different schools to create a beautifully synchronized performance for all to enjoy. 

“Being able to have a show like ‘Harmony’ is an incredible thing in our community,” Guttman, who also teaches grades nine through 12 at Torah Academy High School for Girls in Far Rockaway, said in news release. “It gives the girls the opportunity to shine, make new friends from other schools and grades, and most importantly empowers them to use their talents for a cause as wonderful as JEP/Nageela.”

Adult performers also have a chance to shine once again with the women’s choir co-directed by Karen Daitchman and Kayli Joseph. Three dances are being performed by women this year, two directed by Rivky Weissman and one by Yaffi Kaplan. The women who dance always bring their excellent gifts to the stage with their beautiful and highly original dances.

Harmony was created by Batya Travis and her company, Kol Rayus Productions. “Being the founder of Harmony 28 years ago has brought me tremendous joy and nachas (happy pride),” Travis said in the release. “Watching women from across the community and beyond using their artistic abilities to bring Harmony’ and form lasting friendships is something I could have only dreamed of.”

To sponsor Harmony XIII and give your business exposure to thousands of girls and women in the community, call (917) 715-2415 for more information. Harmony playbills will be distributed at the three performances, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m., Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, attain a sponsorship or to give a shout out in the playbill to your superstar, please visit jepli.org/harmony.