The musical show “CELEBRATION” was devised by Oshy Tugendhaft. It was first produced in 1993 in honor of the Golden Jubilee of the Sydenham Highlands North Hebrew Congregation. Under the baton then, of Dr Malcolm Zaidel, with Malcolm’s sister and Musical Director, Professor Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph, who was also responsible for all the musical arrangements, the show proved a great success and played to full houses at the Linder Auditorium on two successive occasions, for two nights at a time.

To coincide with the show, Oshy and the choir – who had the year before produced their very popular CD “Hallel” – released their second CD, “CELEBRATION”, which proved a great hit.

It was always Oshy’s dream to be able to present “CELEBRATION” overseas. That dream was realised with the remarkable commitment and passion of Mike and Stephanie Levy, former South Africans, living in Chicago, and Mike’s secretary, Judy. Through their untiring efforts “CELEBRATION”, under the baton of Jose Stern and Musical Director, Jeanne, has been staged in every major centre in the United States of America and Canada. It was also the first Jewish show presented on the strip in Las Vegas, uniting, for that occasion, almost every Jewish organisation in the city, and earning an accolade from the Mayor of Las Vegas, who made a special award to the show and in its honour, proclaimed that day to be “Celebration Day” in Las Vegas.

Because of the huge popularity of the show, Oshy devised a new show, “CELEBRATION 2”, which again swept the USA to critical acclaim and standing ovations, with theatres often sold out within days of box office openings. It was also staged in South Africa at the Civic Theatre in October 2001.

A first for the group was the staging of the show in 2003 at the illustrious Royal Festival Hall in London before a capacity crowd of some 3000 people to great acclaim.

The unparalleled demand for the show led to the latest revision, culminating in “CELEBRATION 3” which premiered in Johannesburg on 19th and 20th March 2005 at the Wits Great Hall, subsequent to which Oshy and the choir’s undertook a fifth “CELEBRATION” tour of the United States and Canada where the show played to critical acclaim in Chicago, Houston and Montreal. This time, for various personal reasons, Jeanne was unable to accompany the group and her place, as Musical Director was taken over by Phil Holder, who has been with the show from inception.

“CELEBRATION” owes its success to a special band of singers, artists and musicians, none of whom are paid, and all of whom are passionate about bringing joy in song to others. Besides the musical magic that “CELEBRATION” has brought to its audiences and listeners worldwide, the international shows have raised very substantial funds for MDA. The beneficiary of the London and Toronto shows in 2003, was the Johannesburg Chevra Kadisha. One member of the audience in the United States was so moved by the show, that he came back stage to meet the artists and present them with a cheque to MDA for $60,000.00.

Under the painstaking direction of Producer and Director, Gavin Opert, and Linda Starkowitz, who has been responsible for the multi-media audio visual, supported by a wonderful group of musicians - Phil Holder on saxophone, Jacques Fourie on violin, Neill Ettridge on percussion and Clifford Cooper on piano - sound engineers, lighting technicians, with choreography by Sandy Dyer, “CELEBRATION” has played to thousands of people in South Africa, the United States, London and Canada.

“CELEBRATION” depicts aspects of Jewish life in history and music. “But”, says Oshy, “it is a show which also celebrates very much more. It unites people of all cultures through the language of music which, no matter its vernacular, permeates the heart and soul. It is about unity and togetherness and ubuntu, about love and tears and about an undying spirit that seeks peace, justice and happiness for all.”