In Hebrew there are plenty of phrases that are related to new beginnings, one is:
סוף זה תמיד התחלה של משהו אחר
In English, the phrase translates into ‘An ending is always a beginning of something else’ and that is exactly what happened when local drummer and Camp Sabra alumni Robert Koritz broke a cymbal that he has used since he was a teenager. Though its career on stage is over, that cymbal is now becoming something else.
Cymbals For Change
At a February show in Los Angeles, Koritz, one of the drummers for the Dark Star Orchestra, was approached by Shaun Cyrkin, an entrepreneur and founder of a company called Cymbals For Change. The company’s one focus is to transform used and broken drum cymbals into custom-engraved, wearable, sellable jewelry.
“And the cool part is that a portion of the proceeds of the jewelry sold goes to a charity of my choice,” said Kortiz. “Sean was a Jewish summer camp guy like me, but from up in the East Coast. So we just hit it off right away when I told him what I was interested in doing with it.”
The Cymbal for Camp Sabra
For any musician, their instruments hold profound significance. So when one breaks or ceases to function properly, many choose to retire the instrument rather than discard it.
“I bought that cymbal as a kid, probably in 1984, at the Ken Mezines Drum Shop on Olive in Creve Couer,” remembered Koritz. “That cymbal grew up with me and went on tour with me for decades. When it cracked, I retired it and it sat at home, until now.”
Now, Kortiz’ broken cymbal has new life, recreated into one-of-a-kind custom engraved necklaces a earrings featuring the band’s new logo. A portion of the proceeds to the Camp Sabra Alumni Canteen Fund which supports scholarships, programming and services for the entire camp community.
“The fund started in honor of camp’s 50th birthday a few years back. We raise funds and then we allocate a certain amount of funds each year to scholarship and towards a purchase for the year. We have bought them new canoes, kayaks and tents to get the tripping program going again,” said Koritz.
Koritz’s mensch-like gesture to help support Camp Sabra is no surprise to Lisa Deutsch, assistant director at Camp Sabra.
“This is just the kind of things, the little things, he’s always done to help us with projects at camp,” said Deutsch. “He’s always willing to do anything to help and better the camp. I just know that the amount of effort, love and desire he gives back to camp means a lot to him and to the campers.”
How to purchase
Onlike sales for the cymbal jewelry begin on Sunday. This website, which is not active, will become active on Sunday.
