Founded in 2012, the Semer Ensemble is dedicated to music recorded by Jewish artists during the Nazi period on the almost unknown Berlin-based Semer record label. Destroyed by the Nazis in 1938, the entire Semer catalogue of hundreds of precious, unique recordings was considered lost forever until it was rediscovered in the early 2000s.

The Semer Ensemble features an all-star lineup of Yiddish music artists led by accordionist and pianist Dr. Alan Bern, of Brave Old World, and including acclaimed singer, accordionist and mandolin player Daniel Kahn; violinist Mark “Stempenyuk” Kovnatskiy, who performs with many of the most prominent ensembles of the Yiddish cultural revival; world music polyglot and bassist Martin Lillich; Forshpil singer and leader Sasha Lurje; Fayvish singer and leader Fabian Schnedler; and Grammy-winning singer and accordionist Lorin Sklamberg, of the Klezmatics.

Join us for performances of the Semer Ensemble featuring songs in Yiddish, German, Hebrew, and Russian accompanied by English subtitles.

Supported by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany and Lufthansa.

Montreal: Oct. 2, 2023, 7:30 PM at Shaar Hashomayim, co-presented by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic in Germany Montreal. More Information and Tickets: Here.

Ottawa: Oct 4, 2023, 7:00 PM at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, co-presented by the Embassies of Israel and Germany. More Information and Tickets: Here.

Toronto: Oct. 5, 2023, 8:00 PM at the Meridian Arts Centre, Lyric Theatre, co-presented by Ashkenaz Festival, Toronto Holocaust Museum and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Toronto. More Information and Tickets: Here.

New York City: Oct. 9, 2023, 7:00 PM at YIVO Institute, co-presented by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany New York City. More Information and Tickets: Here.

Washington D.C.: Oct. 10, 2023, 7:30 PM at Edlavitch DCJCC, co-presented by the German Embassy Washington. More Information and Tickets: Here.