Following is an open memorandum to all Board members of the Israel FolkStuff Society and other interested parties. Please be advised that a decision will need to be made in the immediate future regarding whether and how the Israel Folk Stuff Society can continue to exist and function. This is because our current structure as an amuta has been found to be untenable.

For most of its existence, IFS was an informal structure. Whatever assets it possessed were placed in a private bank account. This meant that we could not issue payments or expend funds as a group and those responsible for the account felt the time had come to relieve them of this respon- sibility. For these reasons it was determined that we would incorporate ourselves as a non-profit organization known in Hebrew as an amuta. This process was completed toward the end of the year 2000. At the time there did not seem to be any inherent disadvantages to this step and the various authorities with which we registered under due process of law pointed out none to us.

However, Carol Fuchs received a communication from the Income Tax Authority in March 2003 claiming that we had not submitted a tax report as required. We knew nothing of this requirement. Subsequent investigation revealed that we are indeed required to submit reports and statements on an ongoing basis. In addition, we are required as an amuta to file and pay Income Tax and Bituach Leumi for anyone that we have given money

to in “payment” for gas (Income Tax is at the rate of 100% on any sum that we have paid to performers or others for “repayment of expenses”.) Besides doubling the cost of reimbursement to artists for travel expenses, the preparation and submission of such reports would have tremendously increased Carol's workload. Having such statements and reports professionally prepared would entail a huge outlay of funds that would be far more than we take in.

Accordingly, we have sought the advice of various experts (2 tax consultants – one within the Income Tax framework and one indepen- dent; and an accountant who is familiar with amutot). Their unanimous recommendation is to disband the IFS as an amuta.

If we were to continue as a formal entity, we would have to keep full legal records, which must be prepared by a professional accountant. No such individual in this capacity has volunteered.

Every professional we have consulted says that since we are an extremely small organization, the expenses of being legally above-board with the various tax authorities and other government authorities is not worth the effort. Accordingly, we must now determine how and if IFS is to continue to function.

The various consultants with whom we spoke feel that some sort of informal agreement or arrangement among the members as to how to proceed might be a practical resolution of the problem. This would mean no bank account, and we would not be able to accept checks for membership fees – everything would have to be in cash (or open checks – no payee). Someone whom everyone trusts would have to take care of all the paperwork (as we have done until now) and the money. To this end, we wanted to hold an open board meeting, no later than during the upcoming Sukkot festival, at Kibbutz Tzora.

In addition, the question arises as to what to do with this newsletter.

1. We could still publish it in hard copy and accept cash for subscriptions, which would cover expenses.
2. Another possibility, which we urge you to consider, is to publish the newsletter online only and to make it available by email as a Word document to those who request it. This is assuming of course that most of our readers have access to the Internet.

--Carol Fuchs and Larry (Arie) Gamliel

We hope to see y'all on Friday, October 24 at 11 AM for the traditional fall southern musical gathering in Joe Alon Forest. The event will take place in the usual spot, just below the museum parking lot... go down the few steps and see the horseshoe shaped picnic table. We'll use the circle format where each person gets to choose a song. Prepare 3 or 4 songs you'd like to lead. "Lead" could mean rhythmically pounding a rock with a stick (although we prefer folk to rock 'n roll!), singing accompanied or acappella. Please photocopy words to obscure songs and bring along your copies of Rise Up Singing! Storytellers welcome, too!

So, get those picnic baskets packed, folding chairs stowed into your trunk ("boot ", to some!) and join us for a laid-back Friday off the beaten track.

Phone Laurie for details. 08-6532080 or 064-464377

Her cell phone will be on that morning to direct lost souls.

--Laurie and Judi

Our musical excursions out of the Promised Land for a few hours always seem to help recharge our souls and emotional batteries. This undoubtedly is what makes our music so useful and meaningful, and that’s in addition to those magical musical moments that sparkle every once in a while, and put smiles on all of our faces. Having organized four musical encounters this summer as an alternative to the vacationing TAFC, I can say that it has been very enjoyable, and the response by the performers and audience (as well as some neighborhood teenagers, dog walkers and pensioners) has been wonderful. Here are some of the highlights:

Hoot #1 (July 16) had about 100 people in attendance and featured the comeback of Sabi, whom we hadn’t seen for a number of years. He was as rocking and dynamic as always. Eliot Dobin’s

humorous repertoire was the hit of the show, which also showcased two new groups: New York Blues with Larry Gamliel, Judy Ziv and Harold J, and the P. Country bluegrass group. The variety of music ranged from British folk to American rural songs and urban blues, and even a bit of original Hebrew music. The evening was topped off with a jam session that left everyone humming on his or her way homeward.

Hoot #2 (Aug 6) was moved into my living room out of respect for the national day of mourning. The six participants actually created an atmos- phere of integrity and devotion – proving that quality doesn’t require quantity.

Hoot #3 (Aug 13) was back in the park on Tu B’Av’s day of love with about 85 people and Dana Halevi, whom we first discovered in our park concert last summer. She was a pleasure to see and hear. Ariela Orion and Larry G did a wonderful Moon River that had everyone shmaltzing along with my harmonica.

Hoot #4 (Aug 20) was such a jumble of mixed emotions, as there had been a Jerusalem bus massacre just two nights earlier. We had all hoped such barbarism would be history.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I visited Ray Scudero in the hospital that day. He’s a fighter, and Joanna is a saint for being so dedicated to him. Ray coined the phrase “dafka make the music.” So we dafka proceeded to hold the final park Hoot of the summer. The heavy TA humidity was omnipresent. So vat’s new?

The park lighting suddenly cut out, but luckily candles surrounded the stage area, that dafka created a magical ambiance.

Screeching cats in the bushes dafka somehow fit right into Yaron’s raunchy blues. (Someone called the “background scat singers.”) And although the water sprinklers suddenly went on, drenching a few retreating blanket sitters, Nurit dafka ran with her baby through the shower to get some blessed relief from the heat. It was dafka another glorious night of music, and I want to thank all those who participated.

Special thanks go to the regulars who never missed a Hoot. Larry Fogel of Karkur added so much of his beautiful music and soul that I am just speechless. Shay Tochner was always ready to support other musicians such as Leah of Karmiel and Dana Halevi. I love when Shay speaks Hebrew with an Anglo accent to the unaware! His newest instrument, the harmonica, was beautifully and tastefully played. He says it’s easier to schlep around than a guitar on his frequent trips abroad. Barry Gilbert helped open all our Hoots and faithfully performed, before running over to manage the music at Mike’s Place. What a performer! BTW, his CD (NIS 40) is a must-have. Eli aka Dr. Blues Marcus also graced us with his always interesting mix of musical knowledge and the real stuff that he plays and sings. Hillel Mogel picked his bluegrass banjo in our jams and in his new young group that was very warmly received. Keep your eyes

open for the P Country Band, who dafka get better and better. There were many comments about the band’s beautiful blond lead singer Meri, who is a young version of Mary from Peter, Paul & M. The other band members are Nimrod on fiddle, Rinat on string bass, and Alon and Tomer on guitars and vocals. Ariela Orion, Judy Ziv, Larry Gamliel, Leah of Karmiel, Eliot Dobin, Steve Greenberg, Yaron Ben Ami, Susan Hadash, Michael Greengard, Michael #2, and last but surely not least, Sabi, were all terrific and great crowd pleasers.

The Ramat Aviv Gimel Park chess arena was a jewel of a setting for our Hoots and I dafka look forward to welcoming you all again for more wonderful nights of free summer music next year. Especially gratifying is dafka enabling old friends who are unable to make it to the TAFC, to enjoy the gift of music that comes directly from the heart.

--Harold Jacobs

27th, 2003

The evening was a great success and the enter- tainers provided nearly four hours of non-stop music. Our warmest thanks to all who participated, not only the entertainers but

everyone in the audience who helped us make this event an evening to remember. Due to

the generosity of all concerned, we managed to raise nearly 7000 shekels. If you missed

the concert you may still wish to donate a little something, which will be gratefully

accepted.

The performers included: Bat-Sheva, Rahel Jaskow, Elisha Avshalom, Eli Marcus, Dave Barshaw, Ari Meerson, Yuval Berger, Hillel Mogel, Sandy Cash, Laurie Ornstein, Evelyn Chenkin, Jill Rogoff, Yossi David, Tali Rogoff, Cyrelle Forman-Sofer, Amiel Schotz, Judi Ganchrow, Ron Squire, Marc Gittelson, Sunita Staneslow, Ofer Golany, Lisa Telesnick, Joshua Goodman, Shay Tochner, Michael Greengard, Ruti Yonah and Judi 'n' Lynn Lewis.

Also in attendance, providing assistance & support were: Larry Rosenfeld (Karmiel Folk

Klub), Carol Fuchs (Jerusalem Folk Club) and recording, Ariela Orion (Tel Aviv Folk Club), Mosheleh Freeman (sound), Idan Helman (video) and Daniel and Liron Lewis (bar).

Special guests included: Jeanette & Peter Philips (Ray's sister & brother-in-law) and Roni Katzen (Joanna's son) who provided transport.

The following, regrettably, were unable to attend but sent their good wishes: Charles

Crosson (North of the Petach Tikvah line), Mark & Ora (Canada), Larry Gamliel, Maya & Ofek Shilon (just married - MAZAL TOV), Bracha Ben Avraham (North of the Petach Tikvah line), Hal Wrobel (North of the Petach Tikvah line), David Baron, Rory McLeod (UK),Yehudit & Menachem Vinegrad (North of the Petach Tikvah line), Jim Morgenstern (US) and Jon Wasserman (US).

If I've forgotten anyone - my deepest and most sincere apologies.

Regards,

Lynn Lewis

This month’s contributions come from Jill Rogoff.

Ray Scudero's Through the Night: “... and we'll hide when the bullets start flying.” When I was recording this song in England several years ago, the accordion player kept hearing “... when the bullocks start flying.”

Apologies to Sara Baron for missing her birthday recently.

Happy Birthday: to Issie Ackerman, Sandy Cash, Larry Gamliel, Gilead Gamliel, Uzi Gamliel, Judi Ganchrow, Eliot Goldstein, Jack Lecker, Jill Rogoff, Michael Trachtman, Vernon Whetstone,

Mazal Tov: to Bracha Ben Avraham on the birth of her granddaughter

Refuah Shlema; to Ray Scudero;

To Marc Clarfield (after surgery)

(NIS 5 for members).

**The New Country Klezmers – a foot-stompin' good time – 2-5 musicians for your simchah. Call David Baron (054) 955-997 or Bruce Brill (051) 565-479.

**CAPA (Computer Assisted Production and Arranging) -From your musical masterpiece to demo, playback, finished CD? Call David Baron (054) 955-997.

DISCLAIMER: FolkNotes is the official publication of the Israel FolkStuff Society. Views are those of the writers, not necessarily those of IFS. FolkNotes and all of the articles, photographs and material contained therein

are, unless otherwise noted, copyrighted by IFS 2003. The disclaimer is so that

people do not "steal your article." In every case that people turn to FolkNotes for permission, we refer them directly to the author of the article.

Advertisement tariffs for FolkNotes are available on request.

FolkNotes Staff: Sherry Whetstone, Larry Gamliel, Carol Fuchs, and Cecile

Panzer

C A L E N D A R

Thursday, October 16^th, 8:30pm. JERUSALEM FOLK CLUB – Daniel Pearl Memorial Concert. With among others, the Bean Blossom Boys, Lynn & Judi Lewis. Details will be sent by email. At the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo Auditorium. Admission NIS 25/20. For information call Larry (053) 801-202 or Carol (053) 850-098.

SOUTH :The Fall Southern Jam is scheduled for Friday, October 24^th. See article inside.

Try to get your information to us for the Calendar, as early as possible, so we can meet publication deadlines (15^th of each month). Contact Larry Gamliel at (053) 801-202, or by email: carolf@savion.huji.ac.il

To receive the (more or less) twice-weekly email updates, write Carol: carolf@savion.huji.ac.il

ISRAEL FOLKSTUFF SOCIETY Membership (clip and MAIL today) Oh, YES! I'd like to become a member of/renew my membership in IFS. Includes a subscription to FolkNotes, discounts on IFS-sponsored concerts and Home Hoots, etc.