Jerusalem Klezmer Association

The Jerusalem Klezmer Association (Hebrew: אגודת הכליזמרים ירושלים) is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 in Jerusalem by Avraham Leib Burstein. Its mission is to preserve, reconstruct, and disseminate klezmer melodies and traditional Jewish dances as they were passed down in the Jewish shtetls of Eastern Europe. The association operates as a cultural platform and home for klezmer artists, with over 50 member musicians, actors, cantors, documentary photographers, and writers. It runs a permanent venue called "Burstein's Klezmer Basement" (הקרצ'מע של בורשטיין) in the former Yung Yiddish library building on Jaffa Road, Jerusalem. The association produces albums, publishes sheet music and educational materials, organizes workshops and master classes, and hosts a weekly "Klezmer Tish" (כליזמר טיש) performance every Saturday night. It also holds an annual klezmer conference and has represented Israeli klezmer music internationally, touring in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Russia, and other countries. The association's spiritual patrons are clarinetist Dave Tarras and writer Sholem Aleichem. In 2013, its artists were selected for the Ministry of Education's "Culture Basket" list, and in 2014 it founded the Annual Klezmer Conference. The association remains active, with Burstein serving as chairman and continuing to lead its activities.

The Jerusalem Klezmer Association was founded in 1991 in Jerusalem by Avraham Leib Burstein with the aim of preserving klezmer music and original Jewish melodies—a genre at risk of disappearing—and transmitting them to young musicians through joint training, publishing, recordings, and performances. In 1999, the association established its first activity center in the Judaism and Song complex in the Geula neighborhood of Jerusalem. Simultaneously, another branch was opened on Sheinkin Street in Tel Aviv, named "Breslov on Sheinkin," where musicians such as Eviatar Banai and Yitzhak Fuchs performed. In 2001, the association recorded a segment on original Jewish music for the TV program "Made in Israel" on Channel 1, hosted by Ilana Berkovich; the association's musicians won first place in the competition. In 2008, the association moved to its permanent home in Jerusalem in the former Yung Yiddish library complex, under the name "Burstein's Klezmer Basement." In 2011, Burstein and some of the association's artists were chosen for key roles in the award-winning series "Shtisel" on HOT; they also served as musical accompanists in additional episodes. That same year, the association won second place in a national klezmer competition in Israel sponsored by the Tel Aviv Municipality. In 2013, the klezmer artists were selected for the Ministry of Education's "Culture Basket" list following the show "The Story of Klezmer" written by Ofer Schneider, a music teacher for the Ministry of Education who works within the association to enrich musical knowledge and klezmer melodies. In 2014, the association founded the "Annual Klezmer Conference" at Emuna College in Jerusalem, with the participation of clarinetists Giora Feidman, Moussa Berlin, Chilik Frank, Hanan Bar Sela, Orit Orbach, and others. In 2015, the second conference was held in a broader format at Heichal Shlomo in Jerusalem. During Hanukkah 2014, the association's musicians received the musical and visual role in the International Bible Quiz for Adults by the Ministry of Education, with the participation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Deputy Minister of Education Avi Wortzman, on the theme of Jewish heritage and the Bible. In December 2014, Burstein and the association's artists awarded the title 'Yakir HaKlezmer HaYerushalmi' (Distinguished Jerusalem Klezmer) to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara; the Prime Minister promised to help promote Jerusalem's status as the world capital of klezmer. During 2023, Burstein, as chairman, was chosen to serve as a judge on the reality show 'HaMaestro' on Radio Kol Chai, which discovers musical talents in the Haredi public.

• 2023

  Burstein selected as judge on reality show 'HaMaestro' on Radio Kol Chai.

• 2015

  Second Annual Klezmer Conference held at Heichal Shlomo, Jerusalem.

• 2014

  Founded Annual Klezmer Conference at Emuna College; received musical role in International Bible Quiz; awarded "Yakir HaKlezmer" to PM Netanyahu.

• 2013

  Artists selected for Ministry of Education's "Culture Basket" list.

• 2011

  Burstein and artists selected for roles in TV series "Shtisel"; association won second place in national klezmer competition.

• 2008

  Moved to permanent home in former Yung Yiddish library, named "Burstein's Klezmer Basement."

• 2001

  Association musicians won first place on Channel 1 TV program "Made in Israel."

• 1999

  First activity center established in the Judaism and Song complex in Geula, Jerusalem; branch opened on Sheinkin Street, Tel Aviv.

• 1991

  Association founded in Jerusalem by Avraham Leib Burstein.

Non-profit cultural association dedicated to preserving and transmitting authentic Jewish klezmer music and shtetl culture.

• Meron

• Lebedig

• Between the Walls

1. 1Official websitejerusalemklezmer.wordpress.com
2. 2Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Hebrew Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org