By Sheldon Stept
On Sunday, November 17, 2013, local Hillsborough resident and Jewish musician/songwriter Eric Komar will be kicking off the release of his latest CD, Todah Torah, with a release party and benefit concert. The concert will begin at 1:00 PM at Temple Beth-El located at 67 U.S. Highway 206 in Hillsborough, NJ. The concert is open to the general public and admission is free. As part of the benefit component of the concert, donations will be collected for the locally based Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation. During the performance, Mr. Komar will be accompanied by drummer Kevin Werbel and bassist Bruce Cooper.
For two decades Eric has shared his unique brand of invigorating and inspiring music to synagogues, JCCs, camps, Hillels, and Jewish conventions nationwide. His vast performance experience runs the gamut, from preschoolers to retirees, and his advanced guitar skills are recognized among the most prominent musicians in the field.
Eric’s music has been described as “refreshing,” “superb and hip sounding,” “hav[ing] a sophisticated pop sensibility,” and “compelling and truly Jewish”. His debut CD Notes from the Underground (2003) is noted for the rockin’ “Mi Cha mo chah” and power-ballad for peace “Lo Yisa Goi.” His second effort Two Life (2007) enlists special guests Peter & Ellen Allard and includes the social action anthem “Justice, Justice.” He ushered in 2011 with Ripples, which features High Holy Day hit “Return” and a contemporary setting of Passover’s “Dayenu.” Many of his compositions have been featured in publications from Transcontinental Music, as well as on compilations from Craig Taubman’s Craig n’ Co.
This latest CD is unique from his previous ones as it focuses on Jewish music for children. In fact, Mr. Komar recorded several of the tracks on the album with local synagogue religious school and preschool students where he performs and teaches. These organizations included Congregation Kehilat Shalom and Kindercapers Preschool of Belle Mead, NJ; Barnert Temple Preschool of Franklin Lakes, NJ; Mountaintop School for Young Children of Warren, NJ; and Temple Beth-El Religious School & Early Childhood Center of Hillsborough, NJ. Eric’s wife and two children are also featured on this album as the “Komar Family Korus.”
Besides being a collaborative effort, the music on this CD is vibrant, fun and authentic. The album’s title, Todah Torah, fits in with Eric’s style as a Jewish teacher and songwriter. Todah Torah literally translates to “Thank you, Torah” and Eric playfully uses this name to engage his students to learn from all the great teachings the Torah has to offer. Mr. Komar also used his creativity to help fund the production of the CD through the use of the popular fundraising website, Kickstarter.
All donations collected at the concert will directly benefit The Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation, a cause near and dear to Eric’s heart. The Foundation was created to honor the memory of Meghan Bradley, who passed away in 2004 after courageously battling brain cancer. Meghan was a National Honor Society student at Somerville High, and participated in field hockey and track. Mr. Komar personally knew Meghan as a hebrew student and also used the release of his 2nd CD to benefit this charity.
The Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation’s mission is threefold:
· To raise public awareness regarding pediatric brain cancer through education and advocacy;
· To raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research in the hopes of saving the lives of other children in the future;
· To provide scholarships for local area school students for outstanding achievements.
Brain cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among young adults, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. For further information or to make contributions to the Foundation, please contact Ileen or Bob Bradley at Ibradley@damonhouse.org.
For more information on Eric Komar, email him at Eric@KomarMusic.com or visit his website at www.KomarMusic.com.
