Dunya, Sudbury, MA, 17 Jan 2011
Jews and Sufis: A Shared Musical Tradition
Musical Performance by Dunya and Panel Discussion
January 17, 7:30pm Congregation Beth El, Sudbury
Beth El of Sudbury is pleased to host JEWS AND SUFIS: A Shared Musical Tradition on Monday evening January 17 at 7:30. The evening’s program will include a panel discussion and concert exploring the historical interaction of Jews and Muslim mystics in Turkey.
A panel of scholars led by Dr. Edwin Seroussi, director of the Jewish Music Research Center in Jerusalem, will speak on cultural, historical, religious and musical aspects of Jewish-Sufi collaborations in Turkey from the 16th to the 20th centuries, followed by a dialogue with the audience. The program continues with a concert by Dunya, an ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists performing examples of Turkish Maftirim (Hebrew sacred poetry set to Ottoman sacred and secular music), Sufi devotional music and improvisations.
From the earliest days of Islam, some Muslims have been attracted to mystical interpretations of their religion. In Turkey, at least since the thirteenth century, Islamic mysticism has been expressed through participation in Sufi brotherhoods that serve as centers of spiritual and social life.
Similarly, mysticism and mystical experiences have been a part of Judaism since the earliest days. Examining the mystical aspects of both the Jewish and Muslim cultures can serve as a useful platform for exploring everyday interconnections among the communities.
The program, which is free and open to the public, is being sponsored Beth El’s Cantor’s Fund and Dunya www.dunyainc.org. For more information contact Congregation Beth El at 978-443-9622, or www.bethelsudbury.org.