Try to remember…

Shana Tova!  Happy New Year!!

September brought many holidays…

…and the promise of a wonderful new year, 5771

For the past decade, I have had the privilege to lead Rosh Hashone and Yom Kippur observances at the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring.  As always, the services brought people from many different places together, including my own family who was visiting from Beit Zeit, Israel.  Workmen’s Circle President, Robert Kaplan spoke about getting involved in our progressive Jewish community, and Elliot Weinstein, a 16 year old graduate of the WC/AR Midtown Shule shared his unique and insightful perspectives on growing up influenced by an ancient tradition in the 21st Century.   About 95 people attended each service, and together we shared the laughter and tears of the past year – and our prayers for a prosperous and peaceful new year.

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O Say, can you see…?

Bronx National Anthem

Singing the Anthem at the Bronx Half-Marathon

Oh, what a beautiful morning…!!

I woke up at the crack of dawn today (4am… gevalt!) and scooted myself up to The Bronx to sing the US National Anthem for the NY Road Runners Bronx Half Marathon!   Really…!  With a 7AM start, I was chirping and warming up the whole trip!

But it was definitely worth losing a lil’ bit of sleep.  What a privilege to sing for literally thousands of runners about to embark on their 13 mile journey around the borough of my forbears… my ancestral home, da Bronix!  So, pitch pipe in hand, I did my best to inspire.  I even met a couple of Bronx City Council Politicos…  Apparently, this event is touted as the only NYRR event on the Mainland.  Go figure!!

Click here to see a video of my Anthem performance, courtesy of Salmini Films.  (1000 thanks,  Ambrose!)  And if you can’t get enough, here’s a little home video as well… Special thanks to Corey Witmer of NYRR for inviting me to sing, and to Ed Kalegi for recommending me!

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave…

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Local Girl makes good…

Gimme an "S"!!! (photo by Jesse Ritz)

I have arrived!!

I’ve hit the Big Time!!

Yes, after years of obscurity, I’ve finally reached hometown hero status!  Idina Menzel, Natalie Portman and… ME!!

Ursula Moore, a journalist from the Syosset Patch discovered me right here on www.JoanneBorts.com!!  Who knew?  I’m getting farklemt…

Check out this article:

Borts Has More Than a Song in Her Heart

I’m totally tickled!

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