Peter Yarrow inspires at Congregation Beth David fundraiser

Posted

In many ways, the Congregation Beth David fundraiser on July 16 was simply magical.

The kids, those from 11 to 85, swarmed the makeshift stage at Narragansett’s Aqua Blue, invited by Peter Yarrow to join him in singing what really is a children’s song, “Puff the Magic Dragon.” It was written by Yarrow, of Peter Paul & Mary fame, when he was a student at Cornell University.

It was an evening in which Yarrow, 78, reached the hearts of the 240 who attended, many relating to generations’ past, when Yarrow and the trio virtually sang the anthems of a generation that grew up inspired by their music.

It was a room full of emotion – of laughter, and sometimes tears – and always song.

On virtually every song, Yarrow invited the crowd to sing along … and they did!

Through song and dialogue he brought the audience through the Peter Paul & Mary years, through battles for racial equality and union recognition, to Israel and its long quest for peace, and to today’s racial tensions and divisive rhetoric.

Yarrow was the centerpiece of an event that included a buffet dinner by Amalfi Catering, and silent and live auctions.

“This was an outstanding event, not only as a fundraiser, but maybe more so, bringing our community together,” said Harris Chorney, president of the Narragansett congregation.

In a night of inspiration, Yarrow also spoke of Operation Respect, a nonprofit organization he co-founded more than 25 years ago with Dr. Charlotte Frank, a senior vice president at McGraw-Hill Education. Operation Respect is designed to foster respectful, safe and compassionate climates of learning, free of bullying, ridicule and violence.

Yarrow said he was inspired to develop the organization after hearing a song, “Don’t Laugh at Me,” which speaks of the way music empowers, energizes, reaches people’s hearts, and can be a catalyst for change. The organization has created its own “Don’t Laugh at Me” curriculum, and has disseminated more than 180,000 copies throughout the United States and other countries, including Israel.

FRANK PROSNITZ is a member of Congregation Beth David in Narragansett.

Congregation Beth David