My View: Sheldon Harnick and Judy Blazer “Do You Love Me?” for Jerry Zaks

With the Statue of Liberty gazing on from the harbor at the Museum of Jewish Heritage at Battery Place Jerry Zaks, 4-Time Tony Award-Winning Director was honored at a fantastic Benefit Concert last night by the National Yiddish Theatre Folkbiene

Jerry Zaks, born in Stuttgart, Germany, the son of Holocaust survivors Lily and Sy Zaks, a butcher, immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1948.  Jerry’s father was disappointed that his son didn’t want to join his thriving business in Fairlawn N.J. but his parents “kveled” when Jerry was in the original Fiddler On The Roof and Zero Mostel told Jerry’s mother backstage “your son will do very well in this business”. There were many highlights last night and one that brought tears to most audience members was watching Judy Blazer and Sheldon Harnick perform “Do You Love Me”. 

Victor Garber presented the award to Jerry Zaks and a Special Award was presented to Bruce Slovin, Founder of The Center for Jewish History.

The concert featured: Glenn Seven Allen, Richard H. Blake, Judy Blazer, Joanne Borts, Gavin Creel, MagdaFishman,Victor Garber,Sheldon Harnick, Elmore James, Sophie Knapp, Liz Larsen, Katrina Lenk,Terrence Mann, Stephanie Lynne Mason,David Hyde Pierce, Rachel Policar, Elanor Reissa, Ron Rifkin, Douglas Sills, Adina Verson and Rachel Zatcoff,  Artistic and Music Director was Zalmen Motek.

Watch the video of a great moment

(Another article by Stephen & complete photos of this concert on Broadwayworld.com)

Judy Blazer & Sheldon Harnick

Jerry Zaks

Stephen Sorokoff & Jerry Zaks

Liz Larson

David Hyde Pierce

Terrence Mann & Douglas Sills

Rachel Policar & Katrina Lenk

Victor Garbor

Gavin Creel