Jewish studies professor honored by music

To honor the memory of longtime professor Irving Katz, cantor Natasha Hirschhorn will perform at IU on Sunday.

Katz was a professor of History and Jewish Studies at Indiana University for 38 years before dying in January 2008. Hirschhorn was asked to perform by Jewish Studies professor Alvin Rosenfeld after he heard her sing at her congregation, Ansche Chesed, in New York, where Katz was also a member.

“She’s such a fantastic singer, we’d thought it’d be great to have her,” said Rosenfeld.
Hirschhorn’s performance will include songs she wrote as well as a piano accompaniment by Jacobs School of Music grad student Yael Manor.

The concert is titled “They Call Me: One Woman’s Journey through Russian Jewish Music.”

After Hirschhorn’s performance, Jewish a capella group HooShir – just returning from a successful New York trip and Jewish performing arts festival – will perform as well.

The concert is part of ongoing work to educate the community about Jewish studies and the arts.

The concert will start at 3 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.