As Christmas approached, the JCC Dbayeh choir was invited to perform Christmas carols at the Palestinian Orthodox community fundraising Christmas lunch. The choir performed a series of traditional Christmas carols in both Arabic and English. The audience, made up largely of people from the Palestinian and Christian communities of Lebanon, greatly enjoyed the performance.

JCC’s choir first performed in 2009. It is made up of Palestinian and Lebanese children and youth who reside in the Dbayeh refugee camp North of Beirut. There are very few opportunities for creative activities whether musical or otherwise in the camp and this singing group gives the participants a chance to explore something new and different by which to express themselves.

The choir is lead by two young men who are regular volunteers at the JCC centre in Dbayeh. Although they are not professional musicians, their enthusiasm and commitment encourages the young choir while allowing them to improve their own musical talents and leadership abilities.

The choir will continue to perform at various times over the Christmas period, most importantly they will perform at the St George Catholic Church in the Dbayeh camp.