American and Israeli teens join in harmony at gala concert

Singers from the Providence HaZamir chapter will join hundreds of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir members from across the U.S. and Israel to perform a Gala Concert on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City.

The HaZamir concert combines music, Judaism, community and spirituality in a powerful blend. A variety of musical styles will be performed, including popular music and classic Israeli and Jewish American selections in English and Hebrew, as well as several pieces that were commissioned or arranged just for HaZamir.

“HaZamir gives young people an outlet to celebrate their Jewish heritage, connect with one another and feel a sense of belonging and pride through the creative outlet of music,” says Vivian Lazar, Director of HaZamir. “Now, more than ever, this supportive community is crucial to teens.”

Members of HaZamir rehearse regularly in their local chapter and meet for regional retreats and leadership events throughout the year in addition to the annual concert.

Teen participant Jaynie sums up the joys of joining the other singers in concert: “We have a lot in common: We’re Jewish, we love to sing, and we’re all committed to music. When we perform, it’s so special because we’ve worked on this all year, and then we come together and get to know each other. At the same time, the songs have such great meaning, and it becomes very emotional. All in all, it’s an amazing experience.”

HaZamir was created by Matthew Lazar, founder and director of the Zamir Choral Foundation, to provide an opportunity for accomplished young singers to perform great Jewish music at the highest standard of excellence.

“This is a life-changing opportunity for these young people, as they express their Jewish identities through their love of music. They build leadership skills and strong connections to peers from a range of backgrounds,” adds Vivian Lazar. “The chance to be part of something bigger than themselves and perform on the world’s greatest stages also instills a sense of confidence and achievement.”

The international HaZamir choir includes teens from 25 American chapter locations including Baltimore; Bergen County, New Jersey; Boca Raton; Boston; Brooklyn; Central New Jersey; Chicago; Cleveland; Detroit; Houston; Los Angeles Valley; Long Island, New York; Los Angeles; Manhattan; MetroWest New Jersey; Miami; Minneapolis; New Haven; Orlando; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Providence; Silicon Valley, California; Washington, D.C.; and Westchester County New York; and in seven cities in Israel. 

The 2026 HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir concert takes place Sunday March 15, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at the Wu Tsai Theater at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY. Tickets are available at https://www.lincolncenter.org/home. To contact HaZamir Providence, email conductor Cantor Brian Mayer at bjmayer@teprov.org

For additional information visit www.hazamir.org

About Zamir Choral Foundation: The Zamir Choral Foundation, created by Matthew Lazar, promotes choral music as a vehicle to inspire Jewish life, literacy, and community. The Foundation's programs include the acclaimed Zamir Chorale; Zamir Noded for young adult singers; the North American Jewish Choral Festival; the Jewish Choral Conducting Institute to train the next generation of Jewish choral conductors; HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir; and the HaZamir Preparatory Program for middle school singers. Matthew Lazar, Founder and Director of the Zamir Choral Foundation, is the leading force of the Jewish choral movement in the US. He has worked with Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Elie Wiesel, Theodore Bikel, Dr. Ruth Westheimer and others. The Zamir Choral Foundation is guided by an expansive vision of vibrant Jewish identity across the generational, denominational, and political continuums through the study and performance of Jewish music at the highest level of excellence. For more information visit www.zamirchoralfoundation.org