Naomi Less to perform at Temple Beth El Dec. 17-18

Date: 12/13/2011

SPRINGFIELD — This year’s Sandi Kupperman Memorial Event at Temple Beth El, 979 Dickinson St., will feature a weekend with Naomi Less on Dec. 17 and 18.

Less, hailed by PresenTense Magazine as the “Ultimate Jewish Chick Rocker,” breaks gender stereotypes with her faith-driven, edgy, pop-rock riffs, soaring melodies and uplifting messages. She combines her passion for education, Judaism and music to motivate audiences worldwide to work for change in the world.

Less tours, trains and delivers inspiring, custom-made rock-shops around the world. She has been a songwriter, Jewish ritual musician, song-leader and rock-band leader for 14 years.

The weekend begins on Saturday afternoon with a program for students in grades 9 to 12. The afternoon will start with Seudah Shlishit at 4:30 p.m., followed by Havdalah at 5:15 p.m. Less will lead a workshop for girls only on self-esteem from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner for all teens will follow. Less will also lead a co-ed workshop on bullying at 7 p.m. A rock concert will then take place at 8 p.m. Cost for the workshops, dinner and concert is $10 per student.

On Dec. 18, join Less as she performs a free concert for people of all ages from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The concert is sponsored by Charles & Jan Nirenberg in memory of their beloved daughter, Sandi.

After the concert from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. concert-goers may purchase raffle tickets and enjoy performances by temple students.

At 6:30 p.m. stay for the Annual Hanukkah Dinner. The menu includes salad, roast chicken, latkes, green beans, served family style and a dessert buffet featuring apple crisp.

The cost of the dinner is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 5 to 10, and $4 for children younger than 5. There is a special family price of $50 per household.

RSVP to the temple office at 733-4149 or office@tbespringfield.org.