Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Alec Moylan at alec.moylan@colorado.edu
If you asked me what Shmooze-A-Palooza means, I still wouldn’t be able to tell you. However, if you were to ask me what Shmooze-A-Palooza is, I’m pretty sure I’ve got that down.
Shmooze-A-Palooza is a yearly event held by the Jewish studies department that can be described as one big Hebrew musical celebration. Open to students and staff of all backgrounds, the event features musical performances by a variety of Jewish studies classes and any student or faculty willing to perform.
This year, Eyal Rivlin, a Hebrew professor at CU, hosted the hour-long show consisting of Hebrew as well as Yiddish musical performances. There was some jamming, some dancing and some singing, with most of the vocals being in Hebrew — one of the oldest languages in the world.
The easygoing event encourages crowd interaction and this year the audience had the opportunity to dance on stage. Jewish or not, the scene provides a great way see a unique culture and enjoy yourself.
Rivlin believes the purpose of Shmooze-A-Palooza is not only to have a good time, but to be an event you can take something positive from.
“My intention is to take the learning beyond the classroom and to build community amongst the Jewish students,” Rivlin said. “There is real magic in Hebrew, it’s an ancient language. When we bring that back to life you are tapping into knowledge that is all over the world.”
Rivilin, born and raised in Israel, thinks events like these spread the culture in a way that the next generation can use to ease tensions between Arabs and Jews.
“My goal is to build bridges by people singing in Hebrew and Arabic, raising a generation of peacemakers,” Rivlin said.
Shmooze-A-Palooza may or may not change the world, but it is a unique experience to say the least.
