Sheine Nechome [pronounced “Shayna Neshama”] means beautiful soul in Yiddish. This ensemble is the sole northstate Klezmer performance group. Traditional Klezmer music stems from the old Jewish settlements of the late 1800s in eastern and central Europe, Yiddish theater favorites from the early 1900s, Ashkenazi classics, and contemporary pieces in the Klezmer style.

Much of Klezmer, being dance-oriented, was originally played at weddings and other celebrations. With the addition of lyrical theater pieces, you can hear that the music gives cultural insight into Ashkenazi Jewish community and family life in those days, and embodies both humor and heart. As many early Klezmer players were traveling minstrels, you may hear musical influences from neighboring geographical areas beyond eastern and central Europe.

Sheine Nechome was founded by Helena Gelfor in 2023 to bring to the North State a genre of music that she grew up with and performed extensively before moving to Redding in 2020. 

Meet Sheine Nechome:

Helena Gelfor – musical director, violin, vocals

Gail Pittman-Biehle – vocals

Lisa McCain-Cole – bass

Marilyn Traugott – guitar, vocals

George De Filippo – flute

Joy Stander, guest artist – clarinet