BMPRSS students sang and danced with Klezmer music

Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School students were introduced to a great way to start a Monday — Klezmer music!

During a toe tapping assembly, hosted by the PTA, students literally got out of their seats and clapped and danced to the music of Pushcart Kapelye, a Klezmer band consisting of musicians Meghan Fitzgerald, Harry Sweet, Judy Sweet, Ethan Hasiuk and Elliott Kurtz.

“Gut morgn!” Judy Sweet said to students once they had settled in their seats in the cafetorium, addressing them in Yiddish. She said a common response to the salutation was “gut yorh,” or “good year!” 

In addition to learning a few phrases in Yiddish, students learned about where Klezmer music came from. It was a type of music made popular among Jewish families living in Eastern Europe. Ms. Sweet shared a story about a young Jewish boy living in Poland, who immigrated to the United States, bringing with him his beloved accordion. He had played in bands and traveled with musicians back in the old country, and while things were different in his new home, he never lost his music and shared it with this family. Eventually a great grandson took up the “klezmoran,” and began to play just like his relative.

“In Yiddish, we dance,” Ms. Sweet announced, as an accordion, violin, clarinet and drum played out a lively tune. She invited students up to learn a few steps, and students laughed and clapped their way through the moves. They held hands and moved in one direction, before moving the opposite way and finally, briefly stopping to clap, before they began again.

Ms. Sweet also shared how when dancing, it is common to use hand gestures as part of the moves, and she showed students how to position their hands as the music continued to play.

“Klezmer music is dance music!” Ms. Sweet said as she danced among the students.