Pizmon, a Jewish a cappella group from Columbia University, Barnard College, and the Jewish Theological Seminary, visited Chile on a mission led by the University Chaplain, Jewelnel Davis. The trip was partly funded by the Kraft Global Fellows Program. Throughout their visit, the group captivated audiences with their extraordinary voices and the charm of their ten members.
Pizmon participated in Kabbalat Shabbat and Sharajit services within Chile’s Jewish Community, visited Beit Israel, a home for the elderly, and performed for children involved in local youth movements. They also brought their uplifting music to key public spaces in Santiago, including Barrio Lastarria, Parque Forestal, and Plaza de Armas, aiming to share Jewish spirituality through their songs in Hebrew, English, Spanish, Ladino, and Yiddish.
Every year, Pizmon travels to a different country to promote Judaism, tolerance, diversity, and peace. In Chile, they visited the former concentration camp Villa Grimaldi and the Museum of Memory and Human Rights. The group also traveled to Valparaíso, where they performed at Plaza Sotomayor and visited "La Sebastiana," the home of Pablo Neruda, Chile’s Nobel Laureate.
We would like to share a thoughtful and inspiring reflection by Michael Berkson, one of the Pizmon members.
See a video of the trip here.
