Gamm Concert

The Cultural Arts Committee is geared towards serving the cultural needs of the Temple Israel community. Specifically, the committee stages events at the Temple that involve music, art, drama, dance, and literature, and frequently showcase the talents of Temple members.

One particular event the Cultural Arts Committee organizes an annual concert sponsored by the Sandra Gamm Memorial Fund for Music and the Creative Arts.

Temple Israel's Cultural Arts Committee, together with generous endowed support from the Gamm family, proudly sponsors the Sandra Gamm Memorial Concert.

Recent concert events include:

• The Cantor's Couch, featuring Cantor Jack Mendelson
• Banot
• Craig Taubman
• Sarah Aroeste Quartet
• Zamir Chorale
• Shuly Nathan in Concert
• Cantors in Concert
• Safam
• Peri Smilow
• The Next Generation of Klezmer
• Rick Recht in Concert
• Dganit Daddo

Sandra Gamm was a woman of rare talent and goodness. Her quick smile, her wit, her gentleness and warmth touched all who knew her. She had the wonderful ability to make everyone around her feel special and loved.

Born in Boston in 1940, Sandra moved to Milton as a young girl. After graduating from Milton High School as class valedictorian, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Russian Studies and music from Boston University and a Master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 1962, Sandra married Stephen Gamm. Together they moved to Sharon and raised four children: Gerald, Benjamin, Shanna, and Daniel. Sandra died in 1990.

Throughout every phase of her life, there was music and drama. By the time Sandra entered high school, she had already become an accomplished pianist. In college, she wrote and directed several original musical productions. Her children literally grew up listening to and singing around the piano. Every afternoon, the house was filled with the sounds of her many piano students plucking out tunes on the baby grand.

Sandra’s creativity broadened. She started and led a children’s drama workshop, a children’s chorus, and also served as the weekly pianist for the Sharon Unitarian Church. More and more though, Sandra became involved in directing major musical theatrical productions, including local productions of Broadway musicals, musicals for children, and musical revues. Most were performed in conjunction with the Musicale Players, a community theatre group formed under Sandra’s leadership.

Sandra lived her life with unremitting zeal. In the fullness of each of her days, in the exuberance and tenderness with which she embraced everyone she came to know, Sandra testified to the precious possibilities of life. She knew nothing mattered so much as living life to the fullest. Wherever she was and whatever she was doing, Sandra enriched the world. She brought joy and happiness to everyone who knew her.

She lived with a smile and a song.