Synagogues to host ‘For Out of Zion’ concert

AMHERST — The Jewish Community of Amherst, in collaboration with Beit Ahavah Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton and the ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal, will present the “Ki MiTzion — For Out of Zion Havdalah Concert” featuring the soul-stirring melodies of Hazzan Jessi Roemer.

This event will take place on Saturday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community of Amherst located at 742 Main St., Amherst. For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom livestream will be available.

Hazzan (Cantor) Jessi Roemer’s music weaves together ancient and modern texts with spiritual depth and rhythmic vibrancy. Drawing from her eclectic background rooted in the Washington, D.C. area, her repertoire reflects a fusion of Yiddish, Hebrew, American Folk, cantorial, and Bluegrass-Klezmer influences. Her compositions also bear the imprint of gospel, blues, and Ladino music, resulting in a rich tapestry of sound that resonates with audiences worldwide.

As an ordained Hazzan by ALEPH: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal, Hazzan Jessi currently serves as the Cantor of Society Hill Synagogue in Philadelphia.

The concert is made possible through the support of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the National Center to Encourage Judaism.

Tickets are available at a sliding scale of $10-$20 at the door, with free admission for those under 18. Zoom attendees will be invited to make a donation online.

For more information, contact Hazzan Diana Brewer at diana@dianabrewer.net. For Zoom registration, visit jcamherst.org/zoomlinksinfo.

Good Neighbor fund accepting applications

CANTON — The sponsoring energy companies of the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund and its administrator, The Salvation Army, encourage those who are struggling financially due to higher prices for necessities or other crises to apply for home energy assistance by visiting their local Salvation Army Corps Community Center. If unsure of where the nearest Community Center is located, please visit magoodneighbor.org.

The Good Neighbor fund is often the last resort for families who are in temporary financial difficulty and do not qualify for federal and state fuel assistance programs such as LIHEAP. The fund’s grants are paid directly to the energy provider for households whose gross income falls between 60-80% of the state’s median income levels. For example, a household size of 4 would need to have a total gross yearly income of between $87,294 and $116,392 to qualify. This campaign year’s fund disbursement is $400 per eligible household per heating season.

For more information about how to apply for fund, visit a local Salvation Army Corps Community Center, call 800-262-1320 if you live in area code 413, or visit magoodneighbor.org.

St. Patrick’s Committee picks Shannon as ambassador

HOLYOKE — The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke announces that Catherine B. Shannon is the 33rd recipient of the Ambassador Award. The award is presented to a person or group who has worked to promote the relationship between the people of Ireland and the people of the United States. The 2023 recipient was the United States Ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin.

Shannon is a graduate of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, Canada, and then earned her Master of Arts degree from the University College in Dublin, Ireland, followed by a PhD in Irish and British History from the University of Massachusetts.

Following her education, she was a professor emerita of history at Westfield State University where she taught courses in Irish, British, Medieval and Women's History and also spent time teaching Irish history at the UMass Amherst. During her time at Westfield State, Shannon directed a $40,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to integrate Irish studies into the university’s arts and humanities curriculum and to engage local Irish-Americans in public programs on Irish history and culture.

Shannon will be honored at the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke’ Ambassador’s Award Breakfast on Sunday, March 17, at the Wyckoff Country Club in Holyoke.