Cafe Europa 2017

This week, The Davis Decibelles, our middle school performing choir under the direction of Ms. Kendrick Phillips, our director of visual and performing arts, participated in one of the most cherished performance experiences imaginable: singing at Cafe Europa.

A program of JF&CS, Cafe Europa is a monthly gathering of Atlanta area Holocaust survivors. The Decibelles' visit is anticipated not only by our students, but by the entire Cafe Europa community.

Each year, The Davis Decibelles open their performance with The Pledge of Allegiance and Hatikvah. Imagine the feeling of connection, hope, and pride that fills the room as everyone lifts up their voices in song.

I attend Cafe Europa not only as the Davis Academy's rabbi, but as the accompanist for The Decibelles. That means that I have a front row seat, alongside Kendrick, for this special performance. From where I sit, I can see clearly, the sense of purpose, respect, and understanding in the eyes of our students as they introduce songs and perform their hearts out. It is so clear, in that moment, that this performance is not for them, but for the Cafe Europa community. Our Decibelles would do anything to bring joy and beauty into the lives of these amazing individuals. As a rabbi and educator, it is absolutely awesome to witness.

While the concert aspect of Cafe Europa is celebratory and special, the most significant part of Cafe Europa takes place when our students join the Cafe Europa community for lunch. Within minutes, the conversations are flowing in all directions. Our Davis kids are talking about their lives, their hopes, and their dreams, and before you know it, Cafe Europa guests are sharing their stories, old and new, devastating and inspiring, personal and universal. Our students understand that they are the last generation that will have the opportunity to sit alongside those who witnessed, survived, and rebuilt after the Holocaust. And it is clear that they will do anything they need to do in order to be fully present for this sacred responsibility and honor.

Kendrick Phillips sums it up this way, "There's a unifying spirit of music that brings both young and old together. I am most proud of our students who have such a deep understanding of their Jewish identity that allows them to connect with compassion, curiosity, care, and genuine interest. Watching our kids connect with these heroic survivors, there's something truly magical about their ability to be fully present to receive and help honor the precious gift of this unique moment in time."

At Cafe Europa all of the richness and the complexity of the Jewish story comes together. The triumph and tragedy, the past and the future, the sound and the silence. It is a remarkable experience and one of the most important projects that I have ever been a part of.