Fabrangen Fiddlers
The Fabrangen Fiddlers, Washington DC’s original Jewish folk band, was founded in 1971 by Fabrangen member David Shneyer (guitar) and Alan Oresky (violin), along with Frank Sparber (clarinet). Ken Giles and Sue Roemer were also early members. The group started by creating Jewish liturgical music for Fabrangen, but soon included all Jewish folk music and simcha music.
The initial line-up of the group featured David Shneyer on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Alan Oresky on violin and mandolin; and Frank Sparber on clarinet. Sue Roemer joined the group in 1973 and was featured on vocals, piano and guitar. In 1975, Theo Stone joined and was featured on stand-up bass, electric bass guitar, and sitar. Larry Robinson joined in 1978 and was featured on banjo, guitar and bousouki.
Fabrangen Cheder – now Cheder
The Fabrangen Cheder was co-founded as a school and community by Arthur Waskow and Nessa Spitzer in 1973 in order to provide an alternative form of Jewish education for their children. Over the years, the Fabrangen Cheder has held a Shabbat Mincha Group, a Women’s Rosh Chodesh group, a monthly Mensch Club, and High Holiday services. Today, the Cheder continues as a parent-taught cooperative Jewish cultural school that meets regularly in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Jewish Study Center
Founded in 1978, the Jewish Study Center (JSC) is an independent non-profit institute of adult Jewish education in the Washington DC area. The JSC offers classes in religion, Bible, arts & culture, language, ethics, history, and philosophy at multiple venues and has revitalized adult Jewish education in the area. Many Fabrangeners have participated in the JSC in many ways – as founders, Board members, teachers, students, and supporters.