The Klezmer Music Foundation was established in 1994 in order to help the band to do more than just play for private parties: to teach klezmer music to interested musicians of all ages...to collaborate with Jewish family theater...and to do outreach to schools, senior centers and other audiences that cannot afford live performances. In the past, the Klezmer Music Foundation's activities have been co-sponsored by such agencies as The Kaplan JCC, Urban Gateways, and the Community Foundation for Jewish Education. However, funding from these organizations has dried up in recent years, and Maxwell Street relies solely on KMF to provide its funding today. Education 1. Junior Klezmer Orchestra (1994): A dozen young people rehearse twice a month with members of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band to learn this traditional music. The children perform concerts for synagogues and old age homes. Since 1994 the group has taught over 40 children the art of the klezmer. Many of the band's graduates have continued to play klezmer music and start their own bands in college. JKO now has its own website! 2. Klezmer Institute (1995-1999): Weekend of learning for klezmer and Yiddish music enthusiasts of all ages, dedicated to the revival of Yiddish culture in the Midwest. Includes special performances and workshops with guest artist (such as Theo Bikel, Avi Hoffman, Michael Alpert and Jeff Warshauer). Members of Maxwell Street donate their time to organize the event and create the educational materials. 3. Joy of Klez Songbook (2001): A set of ten arrangements for synagogue/junior/amateur klezmer bands, published by Tara Publications. Subsidized Concerts for Not-for-Profit Groups 4. Elder Residence Concerts (1984): Performances for elderly persons in communal residences (such as Gidwitz, Jewish Home for the Blind, Lieberman).

5. Public School Concerts (1992): Performances for racially-diverse public schools (inner city and others) to teach about traditional music and engender cross-cultural understanding. (The band also promotes cross-cultural concerts such as Genesis at the Crossroads, which creates musical dialogue between Arabs and Jews.) 6. Yiddish Arts Ensemble (1991): Collaboration with producer/playwright Lynn Shapiro to create and stage original klezmer musicals for children and families. Some productions include Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins and Ish Kabibble.

For tax deductable donations, please make checks payable to: Klezmer Music Foundation 4025 Harvard Ter Skokie, IL 60076 For more information, contact Lori or Joan at 847.675.4800