Broadway comes to Jericho temple



It will be a Hanukkah party like no other at the Temple Or Elohim in Jericho on Sunday, December 15th. A joyous holiday party is planned for the community reform congregation, complete with Broadway actors and actresses and a Hasson-catered hot breakfast. The event is scheduled to take place from 10:30 a.m to 1 p.m. The Temple is now known as Temple Or Elohim, A Community Reform Congregation since its recent merger with Community Reform Temple.

“What makes this event so unique this year is that we have stars from Broadway coming to perform for us,” said Laurel Fried, organizer of the event. “They will put on a cabaret performance which is open to both temple members and members of the public.”

The Broadway stars who will be attending the event include Brayden Bratti, a 5th grader who is currently starring in ‘Matilda’ at the John Engeman Theatre in Northport, and Amanda Swickle, a Jericho teenager who recently received a Young Artist Award scholarship.

The two performers are part of the ‘Shine Theatre Arts Project,’ a performing arts training intensive for kids and teenagers. The STAP is located in the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts, and works to cultivate Broadway’s next generation of talent through instruction, support and advice.

Fried said that of the congregations 300 members, there are some adult Broadway actors in the mix, but this will be the first time a younger generation of Broadway stars performs for an audience.

“We’ve held musical events at this location before but having a cabaret show with these young Broadway actors will be a first for us,” said Fried. “It’s advertised as a kids activity but with adults invited and will be a lot of fun for all who attend.”

Apart from the cabaret show, the event which is entitled the ‘Hanukkah Lights of Broadway,’ will have a candle lighting ceremony, dreidel cooking making and various arts & crafts projects for all of those in attendance.

“The whole event is a way for us to of course retain our membership but also to entice new kids and adults to join our temple,” said Fried.

The Hanukkah Lights of Broadway event, including the breakfast buffet and the Broadway performance is free admission for both member s and non-members of Temple Or Elohim.

Those who are interested in attending can RSVP to 516-433-9888 or email friedworks@gmail.com

Reservations are needed by December 8th.

Leave a Reply