Recommendations

Here are some testimonials regarding the lecture-recitals and this site. (Further recommendations written in Hebrew may be seen on the equivalent Hebrew page).

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We have had the pleasure of attending several musical lectures by Batya Fonda. She sings beautifully and accompanies herself on her guitar singing Jewish Folk Songs all the while explaining their origins.

She has done extensive and meticulous research on all her topics. As a result her performances are not only delightful but highly informative. Her approach is innovative, unusual, and very entertaining and on a very high level.

She includes audience participation with visuals using powerpoint for sing along in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, and English. Her reputation in Netanya has grown so that she attracts a larger and larger audience each time she appears.

No wonder - she always leaves us wanting more.

Millie and Morrie Kaporovsky
Congregation Bet Israel, Netanya
March, 2013

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I have recently had the pleasure of listening to an evening of Yiddishe songs as presented by Batya Fonda at the Conservative Synagogue in Netanya. Batya has laboriously culled many sources to find the stories behind many known and loved songs and has translated them and projected them on a screen so that the evening became a sing-along. It was not only a joy to sing along but to understand the background and stories behind the song. This was a rare evening which touched old roots and everyone I spoke to was enchanted. All this was done with humor and a beautiful voice, self-accompanied by a guitar. May we have more evenings like this.

(Professor) Don Silverberg MD.
March, 2013

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Batya Fonda has done many excellent lectures and sing-alongs for our organization. Her recent presentation, Zingt Gezunterheyt or "Sing in Good Health", was a fun evening. Her presentations are informative and entertaining. This new program is delightful and fun. Batya shared songs and entertaining information and it was complemented by samples of Ashkenazi food. Batya is very spirited and talented and her programs are a worthwhile experience.

Suzanne Goodman,
Treasurer, Beth Israel Community Association
March, 2013

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Thank you for such a wonderful evening. You are a wonderful researcher, performer, lecturer and entertainer, and you give of yourself completely when you perform. I really enjoyed the evening, as did everyone present.

Loretta Weinberger,
Raanana,
March, 2012

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Your work on "Chad Gadya" is amazing. I also plan to use your wedding "lecture" when I teach my class on weddings. Thanks you for your erudtion and your technical skills! And ... your generosity!

Vanessa L. Ochs
Professor, Dept. of Religious Studies
University of Virginia
January, 2012

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Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us. We enjoy hearing your beautiful voice and look forward to doing more programs together.

Helen Brawer
Bet Israel Sisterhood
June, 2009

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I would like to express to you our warmest appreciation and admiration for your fine performance on Erev Yom Hashoah, May 30, 2008. Your voice came across strong and clear and yet radiated deep emotion and sensitivity. Numerous people remarked long after how effective you were and how strong an impact you made ... Thanks to your participation and contribution, the evening became an experience our people will not forget.

Ervin Birnbaum
Rabbi Emeritus,
Bet Israel Masorti Congregation
June, 2008

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In March we were treated to a most enjoyable lecture/recital by Batya Fonda. Her topic - "Kings and Queens” in Yiddish and Ladino folksongs - conveyed to us fascinating insights into Jewish lore: from Sephardic "Romansas” through lullabies to Kabbalistic concepts of the The King of Kings and the Sabbath Queen. Batya sang the folksongs with guitar accompaniment and encouraged full audience participation. Her enthusiasm of the subject matter was really infectious. And the music was good!

Irene Ross
Henry Koor Judaica Library
New Synangogue, Netanya
May, 2008

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I highly recommend Batya Fonda as an excellent presenter of folk music (Yiddish, Ladino etc.).  She is very informative, and one can see that she has spent much time in the preparation of her lectures.  In addition she has a delightful voice which she accompanies very adeptly on the guitar.

Naomi Cohen
AACI, Netanya
September, 2006 

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 I am delighted to have this opportunity of expressing our heartfelt gratitude and thanks for the wonderful recital and lecture you gave us at the function last week to raise funds for Na'amat's Day Care Centres.

All those present were enthralled with your singing of our Jewish folk songs and your detailed knowledge of their history and composers. We have seldom had a speaker who so beautifully and lovingly talked on a subject obviously so close to your heart and I can assure you, that we will never forget the time we spent with you. 

Paula Ungar
Orah Group – Na'amat
Melbourne
September, 2003

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We are happy to recommend the excellent teaching abilities of Batya Fonda. Batya presented a wonderful morning of Ladino music and history to the guides of the Jewish Museum of Australia in Melbourne. We were most impressed with her warm teaching manner and her beautiful voice that highlighted the themes of the traditional Ladino songs. The origins of Ladino history and culture came alive for us.
  
Sarah Wein and Freda Kaufman
Guide Co-ordinators
Jewish Museum of Australia
September, 2002

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Hebrew: המלצות