92Y Launches Dance Video for Rosh Hashanah

In 2016, 92Y's Bronfman Center for Jewish Life commissioned "A New Year," a song of hope and peace from songwriter Michael Ochs, as part of its #NewYearPrayer initiative. The song and accompanying video went viral, viewed by over 6 million people and shared by over 137,000 users.

Now, in celebration of the Jewish New Year 5778 in September, 2017, 92Y unveils a new video for "A New Year," adding the beauty and artistry of dance to the powerful non-denominational message of unity and shared humanity. The new video inaugurates this year's #NewYearPrayer initiative when it launches on 92Y's Facebook on Tuesday, September 12 at noon.

The dance video was the brainchild of Rabbi Peter Rubinstein, 92Y's Director of Jewish Community and the Bronfman Center for Jewish Life, himself a lifelong dance fan. 92Y invited a diverse range of artists from around the world, whose work encompasses a wide variety of styles, to participate.

"Adding the beautiful, wordless language of dance as a visual to the lyrics struck me as the perfect metaphor for the song's message of unity especially in the wake of Charlottesville." comments Rabbi Rubinstein. "I hope it will touch people's hearts and souls again this year."

The artists were given the song and concept - a message of hope, inspiration, unity and peace realized through dance - and asked to choreograph a verse of their choosing. 92Y shot most of the dances around New York; a few filmed themselves - including Pilobolus, who used drones to shoot from overhead - and sent the footage to 92Y for editing.

92nd Street Y is a world-class, nonprofit cultural and community center that fosters the mental, physical and spiritual health of people throughout their lives, offering: wide-ranging conversations with the world's best minds; an outstanding range of programming in the performing, visual and literary arts; fitness and sports programs; and activities for children and families. 92Y is reimagining what it means to be a community center in the digital age with initiatives like the award-winning #GivingTuesday, launched by 92Y in 2012 and now recognized across the US and in a growing number of regions worldwide as a day to celebrate and promote giving. These kinds of initiatives are transforming the way people share ideas and translate them into action both locally and around the world. More than 300,000 people visit 92Y annually; millions more participate in 92Y's digital and online initiatives. A proudly Jewish organization since its founding in 1874, 92Y embraces its heritage and welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives. For more information, visit www.92Y.org.