Beatles Tribute Band Concert to Help Raise Scholarship Funds for Teens’ March of the Living Journey to Poland, Israel

It will be a sort of ‘Magical Mystery Tour” -- and certainly not “A Hard Day’s Night” -- at a unique Beatles tribute concert on April 23 at Temple Israel in Sharon (Mass.).

Studio Two, one of New England’s best Beatles tribute bands, will share their talent to raise funds in support of teen scholarships and to heighten awareness and recruitment for the 2018 March of the Living, and to benefit Temple Israel’s Yellow Candle Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance) programs. All are invited.

The live concert will start at 3 pm at Temple Israel, 125 Pond Street, Sharon. Doors will open at 2 pm for registration and refreshments, according to event chair Larry Lencz, long-time community activist.

Irv Kempner of Sharon, chair of MOTL New England, says that since 1988, March of the Living (MOTL) ‘heritage’ educational trips (see https://motlnewengland.org/beatles-tribute-concert/) have brought 250,000 Jewish teens from around the world to Poland and Israel with the goal of strengthening their Jewish identity and their bond with Israel. Kempner says, “This year, five Massachusetts 17-18 year-olds (Reminds me of the Beatles lyrics “She was just seventeen”) -- are joining some 10,000 others from around the world in this life-changing journey that will take them during the week of Holocaust Remembrance Day to Nazi concentration camps and former shtetls (Jewish towns and neighborhoods) in Poland, followed the next week to Israel where they will mark Israel Memorial Day and Israel Independence Day.”

“Enabling Massachusetts teens to participate in MOTL is a proven investment in our future and takes on added significance with the rise in anti-Semitism around the world,” says Kempner. “This intensive 12-day experience inspires participants to lead the Jewish community into the future vowing ‘Never again,’ and to fight all forms of prejudice. This unique experience insures a lifetime of Jewish community engagement. We’re already recruiting participants for 2018 while we launch the 2018 scholarship drive with this concert.”

Kempner, CEO of the Kempner Family Foundation, serves on many nonprofit boards including World Boston and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) of New England. He has participated in several MOTL trips.

A 2016 CUNY survey that examined ‘Long Term Impact of MOTL on Participants’ found: 90% of respondents said MOTL made it more likely they would financially support Jewish causes; 90% said they’re more aware of the need to become more involved when confronted with anti-Semitism; and an impressive 95% said MOTL had strengthened their Jewish identity. Of special interest, 20 years before Jared Kushner became a chief adviser to President Trump (and his son-in-law), he was a high school participant in the March of the Living. Some observers think that may have helped solidify the teen’s commitment to Zionism and support for Israel.

Studio Two features graduates of the Berklee College of Music and Beatles devotees who say they are “dedicated to paying homage to the greatest rock band of all time.”

Refreshment sponsors for the event are Nissan 24, Chrysler-Jeep/Dodge Ram 24, Collision 24, all in Brockton, and Stateline Nissan of East Providence, RI.

Tickets are the April 23 concert are $20 for adults, $15 for students before April 19. Prices increase by $5 after April 19 or at the door. RSVP’s are requested by April 19. For more info visit https://motlnewengland.org/beatles-tribute-concert/, or email Larry Lencz: larrylencz@gmail.com .

- By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

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For more information about March of the Living:

For a summary of an MOTL participant impact survey, visit http://motl.org/long-term-impact-of-the-march-of-the-living-on-participants/

For information about MOTL 2018 applications and scholarships, contact Aaron Kischel at kischel7241@gmail.com, (781) 799-4765. To make a tax-deductible donation to provide teen scholarships, contact Irv Kempner: IrvKempner@gmail.com / (617) 285-8620. Donations of $1,000 will be matched dollar for dollar by the Kempner Foundation. Tax-deductible donations may be made online: http://motlnewengland.org/.