From Generation to Generation

Words cannot describe the amazing experience that The Davis Academy Decibelles had this week as they performed at Cafe Europa. Who are the Decibelles? What is Cafe Europa? Why was this experience so powerful?

The Davis Academy Decibelles are Davis' all-girl Middle School singing ensemble. Here they are singing at Cafe Europa.

The Decibelles perform a blend of contemporary and Jewish songs and sing at a variety of events from concerts to Jewish holiday celebrations. They are directed by Davis' Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Kendrick Phillips. The Decibelles focus on repertoire, but they focus even more on team work, leadership, public speaking, and the broad range of skills that have earned them the reputation as Atlanta's premier adolescent Jewish choir.

Cafe Europa, a program of JF&CS, is a monthly lunch gathering for Atlanta's community of Holocaust survivors. It's an opportunity for this unique and important group to meet, socialize, and enjoy a shared experience. This month that shared experience was a concert performed by The Davis Academy Decibelles.

There were many special moments and memories that took place during this inter-generational meeting. One Decibelle spoke about how her own grandparents, of blessed memory, used to attend Cafe Europa. Another Decibelle spoke about why she loves to sing. One guest at Cafe Europa showed some of the Decibelles a medal that he had received while serving in the Irgun, one of organizations that fought for Jewish independence in Palestine even before the IDF was formed. Another highlight was when we sang "Oseh Shalom" together:

The sacred nature of this gathering was not lost on any of the adults or adolescents in attendance. During one song Ms. Kendrick had tears in her eyes, as did many others. Ms. Kendrick wrote, "As we shared our songs of hope, faith, community, compassion, joy and life, I felt so honored, blessed, and truly fortunate to be in a room full of Holocaust survivors who have lived first hand through & been directly impacted by the very worst darkest corners of humanity and to have the honor to bear witness to and acknowledge their heroic strength & their stories, to be touched by their light. We must never forget. We must protect these chains from generation to generation."

One of the Decibelle parent chaperones wrote, "It was a life affirming moment. Reminding us that we are a a small part of a community that has deep scars and intense faith in one another."

Sheri Schwartz, JF&CS's Engagement Projects Coordinator summed it up in this way, "The Davis Academy has become the true meaning of a Community Partner.  The gifts that you give us combined with the lessons you are giving your kids are a beautiful blessing."