Local women come up with their own Chanukah CD

Sue Epstein, Judy Farber and Ditza Zakay Judy Farber, Sue Epstein and Ditza Zakay have known for a long time they make beautiful music together, but now everyone else knows, too, thanks to a national designation.

Farber of Agoura Hills, Zakay of Oak Park and Epstein of Sherman Oaks, who make up the singing group The Shirettes, recently earned a 2005 Parent’s Choice Recommended award for their new CD, “Cha Cha Chanukah with The Shirettes.”

A seal of approval from the Parent’s Choice Foundation, a nonprofit evaluator of children’s books, videos, toys, audio, computer software, TV programs and magazines, guides parents as to what products are best for their children. The designation is notated by a Parent’s Choice sticker placed on each recommended product.

“It’s like an Academy Award for children’s things,” Farber said. “People take us more seriously now.”

Illustrating their success, the group performed a record six concerts in just the past month, including one at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks. Earlier in December, they attended the National Association for the Education of Young Children conference in Washington, D.C., where they presented a workshop on music education and sold 500 copies of their CD. The Shirettes were chosen from 3,500 applicants to run a workshop.

The lively, upbeat “Cha Cha Chanukah” album features traditional holiday tunes as well as original music written by The Shirettes themselves. One of the highlights is “Hanukkah in Santa Monica,” written many years ago by Tom Lehrer. In performing the song in concert, the women dress in costume and perform a skit.

“It was a lot of fun to make,” Epstein said. “I hope that comes across on the CD.”

The Shirettes are known in the local Jewish community for their music for young Jewish children. Each member of the trio teaches children in local Hebrew schools, Jewish preschools and day schools throughout Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and the Conejo Valley. They also conduct workshops on Judaic music for Jewish educators and perform concerts in the community. Each woman has recorded individual CDs.

“I love being with children,” Farber said. “They bring out the best in me.”

“Cha Cha Chanukah with The Shirettes” is the trio’s second album. The first album, “Friends B’Yachad” (friends together), was a compilation of songs from each individual that were performed together. At that time there were five members, but Pearl Berzansky moved to Israel to become a rabbi and Cindy Paley decided to focus on adult music.

The group, whose name comes from the Hebrew word “shir,” is already planning a third album.

“It will be Jewish-related for sure. We want to come up with something that appeals to parents, teachers, everybody,” Farber said.

The group’s members say the key to their success is the close relationship of the three women. They all play guitar and sing, but Farber says they each contribute something different to the group. She commends Zakay as the creative force who comes up with the set and costume designs for the trio’s concerts. Epstein is the best musician of the three, added Farber. As for Farber herself, she does all the paperwork and organizing.

“There is a unique bond between the three of us that supersedes any business relationship,” Epstein said.

The three women meet at least once a week to go over business and the format of performances, to discuss new music and to just socialize.

“When we haven’t met for a week, Judy will e-mail me and say, ‘I need a Shirettes fix,’” Epstein said.

The friendship is what makes the group successful, believes Zakay.

“Our voices blend well together in a way I haven’t experienced with others I have sung with,” she said.

The Shirettes have several upcoming performances, including a Jan. 29 gig at The Shalom Institute in Malibu. They were recently asked to endorse Daisy Rock Guitars, a Southern California-based business that designs guitars especially for girls. As endorsees, each Shirette received Daisy’s trademark hot pink guitar.

“We can’t wait to see the kids’ faces when we use them,” Epstein said.

“I think our inspiration is each other,” Zakay said. “We want to be there for each other forever.”

For more information or to order a CD, visit www.shirettes.com