Cantor Joseph Malovany raised the roof of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue as he helped raise an incredible £19,000 for Norwood during a one-off concert on Saturday. Nearly 290 guests braved wet and windy weather and West End traffic to hear the world-famous chazzan, who kindly donated his time and talent in aid of the Charity, which supports thousands of people with learning disabilities and children and families in need.
Cantor Malovany performed a number of well-known and less well-known liturgical pieces, including the UK premiere of Hayom Haras Olam, which is based on recently discovered manuscripts composed by Yossele Rosenblatt (1882-1933). He was accompanied by pianist Daphne Lewis and 10 members of The Western Choir, led by Colin Jaque.
The event began with an introduction by Norwood Chair Bernie Myers and an appeal by Linda Sharpe, a member of the synagogue whose 36-year-old daughter Nicole lives at Ravenswood, Norwood’s residential community for adults with learning disabilities in Berkshire.
She spoke about the extreme difficulties of looking after Nicole without any help from the authorities up until the age of five, when she was accepted into Ravenswood and began receiving the care and support she needed and deserved.
“My story is just one of the many thousands of examples of how Norwood has reached out to provide a vital lifeline to those in our community who need it most,” she said. “And it will continue to do so for as long as it receives the community’s support. You cannot imagine the impact your generosity has. It literally changes lives.”
Guests, including the Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress of the City of Westminster, Councillor Dr and Mrs Cyril Nemeth, also heard from Leon Schaller OBE, the main sponsor of the concert who dedicated the evening to his late wife Freda, and Judge Barrington Black, the President of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue.
Gemma Wolfson, Community Events Fundraiser, said: “Cantor Malovany – an Evening of Song was a truly uplifting event and every song was beautifully performed. Most importantly, the concert raised a significant sum of money to help Norwood provide vital support to people with learning disabilities and children and families in need – helping them, one by one, to change their lives and fulfil their potential.”
Norwood would like to thank Cantor Joseph Malovany, The Western Choir and Daphne Lewis, for their beautiful performances; our hosts, The Western Marble Arch Synagogue; our media partner, The Jewish News & Media Group; and our sponsors Leon Schaller OBE, Louis Courts, Aron Freedman, Peter Goldbart and Henry Knobil.
