Dear Friend of Ashkenaz,

Recently I had one of those moments, an experience, where I felt deeply the power of music to change history. From the Ashkenaz stage, twenty voices came together for a rendition of John Lennon’s incredibly moving song “Imagine.” Musicians swapped refrains, shared harmonies, and at times were joined by the entire audience singing along.

I was struck by the ability of Lennon’s lyrics to transcend time and speak to a new generation – carrying on a message of peace and unity that is so central toAshkenaz’s mission as a nonprofit.

Day to day, Ashkenaz means many things to many people. At night we are a vibrant world music venue, bringing people together for culturally rich performances six nights a week. In the daytime and on weekends, the building transforms into a beehive of activity as dozens of dance classes, from children’s ballet and Zumba to West African and Bellydance, rotate through our two studio spaces.

But there is still another side to Ashkenaz, one of the most important. Through our Community Programs, we have found new ways to give back, while continuing our long tradition of supporting other like-minded organizations.

The newest of our Community Programs will provide cultural programming for children living in Berkeley’s homeless shelters, enabling them to attend our Sunday Kids’ World Music Series.

We have long provided space for other Bay Area nonprofits to host benefit events, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local and international causes, as well as disaster relief.

Through these programs, your donation to Ashkenaz not only supports your home for world music and dance, but also spreads throughout the community, growing your contributions exponentially as we come together around a variety of world-changing causes.

With your help, Ashkenaz will expand the important programs that we offer and continue working toward a more peaceful and unified world. Please help us reach our goal of $30,000 for this campaign - your support today is crucial. 

Make your tax-deductible donation online via PayPal using the “Donate” button to the right, or mail your contribution to
1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA 94702.

Whatever meaning Ashkenaz holds for you, we thank you for being part of our community, and for dreaming our dreams with us.