Sunday evening, July 19, 1998 marked a special evening for The Robyn Helzner Trio. Amidst the hills of California’s beautiful Simi Valley, Robyn, Dov, and Mike entertained a full house of 600 Jewish music lovers from the greater Los Angeles area. Their concert was part of the Brandeis-Bardin Institute’s prestigious Under the Stars concert series. The 50-year old Institute operates camps and offers year-round educational and cultural programs for children and adults--fostering a community of Jewish men and women who emerge with a stronger sense of Jewish identity, pride, and leadership skills.

Why was this night different from all other nights? Because the Trio invited 80 of Brandeis-Bardin’s counselors-in-training to join them on stage during the concert. This marked the first time in the history of the 12-year-old summer festival that campers participated in a concert. The counselors-in-training know Robyn’s music well; songs from her recordings A Fire Burns and Hearts Awaken are regularly sung in camp. Many of the excited campers called the experience the highlight of their summer.

Robyn, Dov, and Mike were thrilled to be enveloped in song by so many spirited voices. The campers displayed a love and pride for our Jewish heritage, reassuring all that a dedicated cadre of Jewish leaders will bring us into the 21st Century.