The foundation for the promotion of Yiddish culture
The foundation for the promotion of Yiddish culture has realized a large number of international projects since its establishment over the past seventeen years. Including a major tour in the Dutch Synagogues and a number of tours in Europe, including concerts in Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Austria. And more than six major tours in the United States.
As a Foundation, we are therefore very proud of these successes and are happy to highlight a number of these projects on this page.
Testimonials
Testimonials 80 years of liberation – A program based on witness statements from Auschwitz survivors embedded in a theatrical and musical story, made by me and performed with my ensemble.
Artist in Residence International Yidstock Festival Summer 2025
Niki Jacobs has become an integral part of the International Jewish music scene, resulting in in an invitation to spend a week as Artists in Residence at the International Jewish music Yidstock festival in Amherst Massachusetts. The foundation is currently planning another tour in the United States for Niki Jacobs and her phenomenal ensemble around the dates of this festival.
The Ballad of Mauthausen in the Dutch Theaters in 2024
After the overwhelming success of the concert version of The Ballad of Mauthausen in both Europe and the United States, the Foundation for the Promotion of Yiddish Culture has chosen to transform this performance into a full-fledged theatrical performance. Under the direction of Ruut Weismann, Niki Jacobs’ ensemble will start in the spring of 2024 with a national tour of Dutch theaters.
The Ballad of Mauthausen in the US
In the spring of 2022, Niki Jacobs (formerly Nikitov) was allowed to travel to the United States twice with her entire Ensemble. During the first tour, eight concerts were played on the east coast of the US, including a concert at the Ambassador’s residence in Washington. In May of the same year, the ensemble left for a second tour, this time on the west coast of the US, where they also played eight concerts, including a concert during the International Jewish Festival in San Diego.
Mameloshn tour in the US
In 2017 Nikitov left for the West Coast of the United States to start the tour, organized and produced by the Foundation for the Promotion of Yiddish Culture. In total, the band drove almost 5,000 miles, played seventeen concerts in front of nearly three thousand visitors and ended their tour in a sold-out and world-famous Joe’s pub Public theater in New York City (NY).
Continuing relation with the USA
For over fifteen years the Foundation has been in close contact with agent and president Moishe Rosenfeld of Goldenland Concerts & Connections, located in the heart of New York City. His expertise has been of great help in realizing the USA tours the foundation has organized and produced. We are very grateful for this wonderful relationship we have with our fellow ambassadors for this beautiful ensemble led by Niki Jacobs. We are also looking forward to a prosperous future as a result of our joint efforts to create and organize concerts throughout the USA.
The band
I have worked with this group of musicians for over a decade now and their craftmanship, delicacy, playing, love and creativity are the fundament of this project. Together we have created what I believe to be the most intense and beautiful show I have ever had the honor to be part of and produce. I am so proud to introduce these beautiful people and fantastic musicians to the committee.
Ruud Breuls
Ruud Breuls is currently the first trumpetist of the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany. He is head of faculty for trumpet at the Conservatory in Amsterdam and has an outstanding International career. He is also part of several world renown Orchestras among them the
Jazz Orchestra of the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and famous Dutch Metropole orchestra.
Ro Krauss
Ro Krauss is a highly creative, intuitive and skilled viola player, he finished Rotterdam conservatory cum-laude and has since then worked as an International Performer, he has specialized in Eastern-European music and has lived and worked in Eastern-Europe for an extensive time, He is a fabulous composer and arranger of modern folk music.
Emile Visser
Emile Visser, is the first cellist of the famous Metropole orchestra and a fantastic composer, arranger, vocalist and creative musician, his improvising skills on the cello are unworldly and can bring any listener into a different world. He has also received great acknowledgement for his contributions to writing new music in the Netherland.
Peter van Os
Peter van Os is possibly the best accordionist we will encounter in our live, he is capable to make the accordion sing so softly you think it’s a voice and one minute later you will find yourself listening to a full organ in a big church. He is highly skilled and conservatory schooled and leads several big bands in the Netherlands, he also works as a composer and arranger for several International orchestras.
Our international shows
Have a look at the international shows and gigs we’ve done.
Niki Jacobs warme Sopraanstem ontwapend.
- Mischa Blok, NRC