A Review of: Jewels of the Diaspora: A Celebration of African-American and Jewish Song.

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It was no dream when Jews marched alongside Blacks in the struggle for civil rights. But more than a generation has passed, and with it a growing estrangement has filtered into the relationship between Blacks and Jews. Around the country, efforts to bridge this cultural gap – programs that bring black and Jewish teens together, cooperative efforts between urban churches and synagogues, community service efforts with JCCs and urban groups – are achieving modest results. One such program, Jewels of the Diaspora:

A Celebration of African-American and Jewish Song, brings together two women – Laura Wetzler and Janiece Thompson – who explore their shared experiences – African-American and Jewish – through song.

Wetzler, an award-winning singer and songwriter, performs around the country playing a blend of folk, Jewish and contemporary music. More than a touch of chutzpah, or gumption, infiltrates her work. Take the single "Jesse Helms Has Made a Radical Out of Me"; it became a cult hit with its anti-censorship message. Then there's her music appreciation lecture – "Show Biz Divas, Nice Jewish Girls" – featuring everything from Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler to adventures in Oriental and Sephardic music. No wonder she calls her production company "Nervy Girl Records."

For Jewels of the Diaspora, Wetzler uses spare arrangements, guitars and percussion, allowing the two women to spotlight their voices and their content. Bob Marley, Pete Seeger, and traditional gospel songs share billing with Hebrew, Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), Yiddish and Ethiopian Jewish songs. "B'makom," Wetzler's arrangement of a Hillel phrase with additional English lyrics, has gained popularity and recognition in concerts by the legendary Seeger, especially for its lyrics that call for battle against injustice. Peace Medley contains uplifting lyrics "Sword and Shield" (Down by the Riverside), "Beneath Vine and Fig Tree" and "This Little Light," and the singers do wonders with acoustics and vocals, while Bob Marley's "Rivers of Babylon" taps the Hebrew poetry of the psalms with rich voices.

A gospel number, "Harriet Tubman" pays tribute to the "driver" of the underground railroad with evocative and earthy vocals while "None of Us Are Free" exhorts "if one of us is chained, none of us are free." And Wetzler adapted an Ethiopian Jewish folk song with a rhythmic call and response, "O Ho Mouna (O My Hero)," bringing a little heard culture to wider audiences. Can songs of two cultures sharing a single stage make a difference? Wetzler hopes so.

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Wetzler's "Jewels of the Diaspora" program is available for concerts at colleges, community groups, churches and synagogues. Contact Maggie Sash at 413-634-5617, or email . Hear her song clips at www.songs.com.