The annual North American Jewish Choral Festival (NAJCF) brings hundreds of singers together to enjoy five full days of music. One harmonious choral community is led by world-class conductors creating a tapestry of contemporary, folk, classical and traditional music. The 2025 event will be held from July 20-24 in Stamford, Conn. Registration is now open with early-bird pricing.
“The festival is for anyone who wants to celebrate the joy of Jewish music,” says maestro Matthew Lazar, festival founder and director. “The participants include amateur singers, professionals, cantors, conductors and lovers of Jewish music of all ages.”
Festival attendees have the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from top experts in Jewish choral music in a supportive setting. There are a variety of uplifting Jewish musical activities, including daily community sings; workshops and seminars on a range of topics; and evening concerts featuring guest choirs and outstanding performers.
“Being able to connect to this type of music and this type of text is something you can’t get anywhere else,” says NAJCF participant Dor Kaminka, an Israeli-American composer and conductor who lives in Los Angeles.
NAJCF provides an environment of excitement, as well as a sense of healing, hope, unity and Jewish pride, as participants share a bonding experience and forge new friendships.
“The North American Jewish Choral Festival is my happy place,” says cantor Mira Davis of New York. “It’s a community of people who are like-minded, love each other, love Israel and love Jewish music—a place where you can be yourself. The friends I’ve made at NAJCF will last a lifetime.”
“The power of singing in harmony with so many wonderful people, especially at this time, keeps me coming back,” adds Jim Perlmutter of Rockville, Md.
“Whether you’re a novice or a pro, you’ll leave with new skills, new music and new friends to cherish from this transformative choral festival,” concludes Lazar.
The North American Jewish Choral Festival is a program of the Zamir Choral Foundation.
For a video highlighting the experience, click here. For information and to register for NAJCF 2025, see: zamirchoralfoundation.org/north-american-jewish-choral-festival.
