Hindi’s Libraries frst beneft concert, Feb. 15

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Nearly three years after the originally scheduled concert, Hindi’s Libraries will host its first-ever benefit concert at the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre on Feb. 15.

The concert, planned for March 2020, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and will be performed by internationally-known performer and Manchester native, Martin Kaye.

Kaye is a world traveler who has performed in hundreds of countries and on cruise ships, which is where he met the cofounder of Hindi’s Libraries, Leslie Gang. After meeting 15 years ago the two formed a long-lasting friendship and were able to establish a date for Kaye to come to New York to perform for Hindi’s Libraries.

“It's been very exciting that it's finally coming so close,” Gang said. “We have people who are coming from near and far because they believe in what we do and they are fans of Martin Kaye. This will really put us on the map both in terms of funding and in terms of awareness.”

Hindi’s Libraries was founded in August 2018 as a tribute to Hindi Krinsky, a teacher at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, by her husband, Dovid Kanarfogel and Gang after Krinsky died at 32 after complications from Crohn's disease that same year. Since its inception, Hindi’s Libraries has collected 400,000 books and partnered with more than 700 organizations worldwide, spanning all 50 states and across the globe.

Kaye, an entertainer, singer and selfdescribed showman, is best known for his performances as Jerry Lee Lewis in the hit Broadway show, “Million Dollar Quartet.”

He was also in the West End and Las Vegas show. Kaye's mission is to share his love of music which he says he hopes to do for Hindi’s Libraries.

“You can expect me to not sit still,” Kaye said. “It’s going to be high energy, entertaining and fully interactive, and having the best time. Hopefully, everyone will leave on a high and feel like they've just experienced something really fun.”

The concert will be Hindi’s Libraries biggest event since the nonprofit was formed. For Kanarfogel, who has since remarried and has stepchildren, said his emotion and meaningfulness towards Hindi’s Libraries have not diminished at all.

“It's been an opportunity for me to appreciate the kind of growth that can happen. Nothing ever gets resolved with something like this, but it's really been a nice way for me personally, to see how things changed and appreciate the changes life has taken in the last years,” he said.

Kaye’s concert will be the main event of an exciting night for Hindi’s Libraries. Chris Rice Thompson, an actor who has performed on Broadway in “Hamilton” and “The Book of Mormon” and has been featured on “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer,” will be the master of ceremonies.

The pre-show will begin with a premium VIP cocktail-making demonstration. After the show there will be a VIP meet and greet dessert where, Taryn Delaney Smith, who came in second place in the Miss America Pageant, will speak about an upcoming book drive that Hindi’s Libraries will be hosting together for Mont Lawn City Camp, an afterschool program in the Bronx.

Tickets will be sold at the door and can be purchased at HindisLibraries.org/martinkaye. Proceeds benefit Hindi's Libraries and the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Centre receives a portion of every ticket sale as a donation from Hindi’s Libraries.