Shir Ifrah and Ariel Lazarus: Ladino-Andaluce A Mediterranean Journey of Spanish Guitar and Mesmerizing Voice

Part of The Portland Jewish Music Festival 2026!

In this joint concert, Dr. Ariel Lazarus-an award-winning composer, guitarist, and scholar of Sephardi culture and Shir Ifrah - a renowned vocalist and expert in moroccan piyyut (Jewish liturgical song) come together for a deeply rooted musical journey that intertwines the rich traditions of Ladino song and Andalusian–Moroccan music, infused with a contemporary Israeli voice.

Ladino romansas and canciones meet North African rhythms and Mediterranean-inspired compositions, creating a vibrant musical tapestry. Both artists are dedicated to preserving and reimagining their Sephardi heritage, crafting a program that brings to life the expressive power of the Sephardi voice and guitar.

All Ages, $22/Adv, $25/Door

Kids Ages 6-12 $11 (kids under 6 free).

Shir Malka Ifrah is a prominent Israeli "Gen Z" liturgical artist and singer specialized in Sephardic and Middle Eastern (MENA) music. Her work often bridges diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, featuring performances in Hebrew, Arabic, and Judeo-Spanish (Ladino).

Dr. Ariel Lazarus - composer, songwriter, concert guitarist, cultural entrepreneur, and scholar of Sephardic Jewish music - is a unique voice in contemporary Israeli music.

Winner of the Yitzhak Navon Prize of the Israeli Ministry of Culture (2021) for his contribution to the preservation and renewal of Jewish musical traditions, Lazarus creates a personal musical language that fuses Mediterranean maqam, Sephardic liturgical poetry, and Western classical and jazz influences.

Rooted in his family’s cantorial heritage from Gibraltar and Westphalia, and shaped by his upbringing in Rehovot, Lazarus engages in an ongoing dialogue between East and West, tradition and modernity.