WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Gary Rosenthal Collection's Hiddur Mitzvah Project, in conjunction with Moment Magazine and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, is working to bring international music and Jewish culture back to New Orleans.

A special two-day celebration - the New Orleans International Jewish Music Festival - will be held on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 in New Orleans. Among the entertainers scheduled to perform are Neshama Carlebach, Moshav Band, RebbeSoul and Sam Glaser, along with special guests Theresa Andersson, The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars and more. A full line-up of international, national and New Orleans musicians will be participating.

The April 1 concert will be held beginning at 8 p.m. at The Howlin' Wolf 907 South Peters Street) and the April 2 event will be held from 12 - 6 p.m. at McAlister Hall on Tulane University's campus. Two-day ticket packages are $25 for students, senior citizens and individuals with Louisiana driver's licenses and $50 for out-of-town attendees. A $250 patron ticket (reserved seating) is available; a portion of the proceeds will support education and cultural enrichment activities in New Orleans. Tickets will be available starting Saturday, February 4 through TicketWeb.com, which will be accessible through the Hiddur Mitzvah Project Web site at www.hiddurmitzvah.org or The Howlin' Wolf Web site at www.howlin-wolf.com.

"The New Orleans International Jewish Music Festival is integral to rebuilding Jewish culture in New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina," said Gary Rosenthal, a Washington, D.C.-based artist and sculptor whose unique line of Judaica is featured in museums and craft galleries around the world. "This event provides a great opportunity for the Jewish community to come together, celebrate their heritage and listen to high-caliber Jewish music. We hope that this gathering will reinvigorate Jewish culture back in The Big Easy and lead to expanded arts enrichment programming for Jewish families throughout New Orleans."

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Jewish community consisted of about 9,500 people. It is believed that about 75 percent suffered severe damage to their homes. Currently, there are about 4,600 Jewish people living in the New Orleans area.

This past fall, Rosenthal spearheaded an arts enrichment initiative that inspired nearly 20 Jewish communities throughout the U.S. to create menorahs and dreidels for New Orleans families affected by Hurricane Katrina. The effort culminated in a special Hanukkah party at which more than 500 menorahs and dreidels were donated to New Orleans families. Following the Hanukkah event, Rosenthal, along with local Jewish community leaders, met and developed the idea for the New Orleans International Jewish Music Festival to help bring music back to New Orleans.

Individuals or corporations interested in sponsoring or participating in the New Orleans International Jewish Music Festival are encouraged to visit The Gary Rosenthal Collection's Hiddur Mitzvah Web site at www.hiddurmitzvah.org or contact Shelley Middleberg at (504) 780-5612 or via e-mail at sgmiddle@bellsouth.net.

Gary Rosenthal Collection, The

Gary Rosenthal Collection, The

The Gary Rosenthal's Collection (www.collectgaryrosenthal.com) has been a leader in the American craft movement for nearly 30 years. Combining copper, brass and steel with brilliant fused glass, the collection has a contemporary style rooted in tradition. Pieces from the Collection have been presented to American presidents and are displayed in fine galleries and museums throughout the world. Rosenthal spearheads several socially responsible programs, including The Glass Ribbon Project, Art as a Catalyst and The Hiddur Mitzvah Project, all which practice a distinctive brand of social entrepreneurship designed, funded and implemented by The Gary Rosenthal Collection. Through the sale of a unique line of gifts and awards, Rosenthal generates funds for arts enrichment, education and social service programs.

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