Migdal Or Troupe from Odessa Visits Baltimore

With the support of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore and the JDC, 20 members of the Migdal Or Jewish Community Theatre Troupe of Odessa, Baltimore's sister-city, delivered spectacular performances in Jewish music and dance to students, teachers, professionals and community members in Baltimore. The performances were created to "celebrate the rebirth of Jewish life in Odessa" at the Gordon Center For Performing Arts located at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore.

The Migdal Or Musical Theatre Troupe, as it was originally called, was established in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It quickly became a beacon of Jewish life and culture in the Southern Ukraine. From the beginning, the troupe's performances wove together a musical tapestry of Jewish tradition and culture long lost to the Odessan Jewish community, ultimately creating an experience to be enjoyed by Jews everywhere.

For the past 12 years, the Baltimore and Odessa Jewish communities, with the help of the JDC, have created an innovative relationship based on numerous projects, visits, and exchanges. "Odessa has a wonderfully rich history," says Suzanne, Chair of the Migdal Or Committee, "and the ties that the Baltimore and Odessa Jewish communities have established are important for both of our cities."

While in Charm City (the local name for Baltimore), this highly professional and talented Troupe met with members of the community, held master classes in performance and Jewish culture, and performed several concerts of Jewish music and dance reaching out to more than 2000 member of the Baltimore Jewish Community. The Troupe also brought exquisite paintings and crafts with Jewish themes, designed by community members of the Migdal JCC and a beautiful photo exhibit that has been donated to the Baltimore Jewish Community.

"We have learned so much from our cultural, educational and spiritual exchanges," notes Suzanne. "Here in Baltimore, our Odessa Committee works in concert with the JDC and Jewish community of Odessa to further enhance and strengthen our evolving relationship. In addition to the visit by Migdal Or, over the past few years we have sponsored educator exchanges, we have sent Hillel students from Baltimore to Odessa for Pesach, we have had dancers from Odessa compete with the JCC of Baltimore in the Maccabia Games, and graduate students from the Darrell Friedman Institute spend a week in Odessa every other year, all in an effort to strengthen the relationship between our two cities. Through these ongoing exchanges, we are able to learn from each other and create a thriving partnership that is mutually beneficial to both Odessa and Baltimore."