The Cleveland chapter of the Hazamir Choral Foundation joined performers from all over the world  on April 3 to perform Jewish and gospel music at Carnegie Hall for the annual Hazamir Festival.

Eighth grader Jordyn Zawatsky as well as seniors Samantha Shaffer and Gabriella Hartstein are members of the chorus.

“I was nervous at first, but once I got there I knew that is was going to be amazing,” Beachwood eighth grader Jordyn Zawatsky wrote in an email. “There were so many talented kids, and the sound on that stage of 400 kids from around the US and Israel was jaw dropping.”

Most of the songs are sung in Hebrew with piano accompaniment, but they also sing a few songs in English.

The singers practice weekly at Akiva High School.

Zawatsky learned about HaZamir while attending the Francine and Benson Pilloff family Playmakers performing Arts Camp.

“I go to a theater camp because I really enjoy singing, and that was when I was introduced to HaZamir,” she said. “I found out many of my counselors and friends participated as well.”

“I thought it would be a cool opportunity to see my friends from camp during the year and not just in the summer,” she added.

Zawatsky feels that the choir has helped her gain important musical skills.

“I learned about what it means to be a part of a choir,” she said. “Working with others while singing in a choir is different than singing solo.”

Shaffer has sung with HaZamir for five years.

“I started when I was in the eighth grade because my mom was the conductor of HaZamir Cleveland and told me that I have to do it, but I ended up liking it,” she said.

She  feels a strong sense of community when singing with the group.

“The feeling of being on the stage is amazing because it doesn’t matter the language that the person next to you speaks, when everyone is singing it feels like we speak the same language,” she said. “The best part of HaZamir is this festival, because it is where all the choirs from the United States and Israel sing together.”

“Joining the choir helped me to find my place in the Jewish community and a connection with G-d,” Shaffer said.