Welcome to the official website of
The Chutzpah Caravan
THE STORY BEHIND
THE CHUTZPAH
TWO ARTISTS MEET
The Chutzpah Caravan was formed in 1989
when Hagit Avnon a singer and an actress met Pianist Zvi Klein.Hagit finished her MA in Drama Therapy
at Lesley University in Cambridge, while Zvi studied
Film Scoring at the Berkley School of Music in Boston.Hagit and Zvi created bonds of music and marriage, and soon after, the band grew with the birth of their two children -
Hillit and Dvir.
NOW THERE'S FOUR!
The Chutzpah Caravan band tours across the Northeast with various themed shows covering all aspects of the American and the Jewish experience.
They often collaborate with dance companies and musicians from around the world.
FOUR ARTISTS
ONE FAMILY
Generations worth of history and traditions shared through music, dance, and theater!
HAGIT AVNON
MOTHER
SINGER l ACTRESS l DANCER
Hagit Avnon is a singer, actress, and dancer with an extensive background in performance and education. She holds a Master’s degree in Drama Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a degree in Theatre from Tel Aviv University. Hagit has performed widely on both Israeli and American stages.She is the founder of the Kosher Puppet Theater, which tours throughout the tri-state area, and leads Expressive Arts Therapy workshops for diverse audiences. In addition to her performance work, Hagit teaches drama, voice, Israeli folk dance, and language.Her repertoire spans popular, traditional, and classical American music alongside Jewish musical traditions. Through the integration of drama, costumes, masks, puppets, and thoughtful narration, Hagit connects historical themes with contemporary issues. Her artistic approach draws inspiration from a wide range of global traditions.
HILLIT
AVNON-KLEIN
DAUGHTER
FLUTIST l DANCER
Hillit Avnon-Klein is a flutist and dancer with a multidisciplinary background in music, dance, and performance. She studied flute at Queens College, where she performed with the All-City Orchestra and the Queens College Orchestra.Her dance training includes ballet, modern, hip-hop, and additional styles through the Urban Dance League. Hillit performs annually at the Israeli Folk Dance Festival with the Parparim Dance Company and is regularly featured at private events as both a dancer and flutist.In addition to her musical and dance work, Hillit is a master puppeteer and tours nationally with the Sheer Puppet Ensemble, performing at holiday festivals across the United States. She is a graduate of Queens College, holding a degree in Media Studies.
ZVI KLEIN
FATHER
PIANIST | MUSICAL DIRECTOR | ARRANGER
Zvi Klein is a pianist, musical director, composer, and arranger with an extensive career spanning concert performance, theater, and collaborative work. He studied at the Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University and is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston.Throughout his career, Zvi has collaborated with many renowned artists, including Ofra Haza, Etti Ankry, Rivka Zohar, Yaffa Yarkoni, Israel Gurion, Ron Eliron, Moti Giladi, Moshe Ivgy, and Hanoch Rozen. He has also served as musical director and composer for a wide range of theatrical productions.Based in New York, Zvi performs actively as a pianist and musical director, arranging, conducting, and accompanying cantors and stage productions. His Broadway and theatrical credits include Beauty and the Beast and A Jew Grows in Brooklyn. He has led ensembles in major concert productions such as The Sephardic Soul at LeFrak Concert Hall and East Meets West at Queensborough Community College.
DVIR
AVNON-KLEIN
SON
VIOLINIST | COMPOSER
Dvir Avnon-Klein is a versatile violinist with a wide-ranging repertoire spanning classical, jazz, and popular music.He has performed at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space, the National Arts Centre, Scandinavia House, Joe’s Pub, and Colden Auditorium. Dvir has studied violin with distinguished pedagogues including Yonitte Ryger, Julie Kurtzman, Professor Grigory Kalinovsky, Wu Jie, and Professor Nicholas Mann, Chair of the Manhattan School of Music College Strings Department.As an ensemble leader, Dvir placed first at the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society Competition and the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Chamber Music Competition. Dvir was selected as a fellow of the Carnegie Hall Future Music Project, where he composed original works and performed with the ensemble at Carnegie Hall.He is currently a PhD candidate at The Rockefeller University, pursuing biomedical research with a focus on cancer and cell biology.
SHOWS
Bagel to Broadway
The Fiddler
(Oy Vey!)
The Klezmers
The Scroll of Esther
Lights
of Freedom
THE EXODUS
Return
to Eden
Make Your
Own Show
Bagel to Broadway
From the Quintessential Immigrant to the Backbone of Broadway!
Bagel to Broadway is an immersive performance
that weaves live music, dance, and theater, to trace the journey of Jewish artists from the Lower East Side’s bustling tenements to the bright lights of New York’s stages and concert halls.Through captivating storytelling and vibrant performance, the show reveals how generations of Jewish immigrants transformed hardship into artistry, shaping vaudeville, Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, and the wider cultural fabric of New York City, and continue to influence NYC’s art scene today.Join us in celebrating the diversity of New York and the contributions of the artists who helped define its voice.
The Fiddler
(Oy Vey!)
To Life! A Fiddler Extravaganza!
A fresh reimagining of the beloved musical
Fiddler on the Roof, this production honors the story’s deep cultural roots while bringing new life and perspective to a timeless classic.Set within the rich traditions of Eastern European Jewish life, the show explores family, faith, and change with warmth, humor, and poignancy.This production brings the classic tale to life with all the favorite songs audiences cherish “Tradition,”
“If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and more! inviting viewers to experience the humor, heart, and humanity that have made Fiddler on the Roof an enduring cultural treasure.
The
Klezmers
The Old, The Gold, The Classics!
The Klezmers is a lively musical celebration of the joyful, soulful sounds of Eastern European Jewish tradition. Featuring spirited instrumental virtuosity, heartfelt melodies, and irresistible rhythms, this show brings the klezmer heritage to life on stage.From exuberant dance tunes to tender lyrical passages, audiences are swept into the rich cultural world of the shtetl where music is the heartbeat of community, memory, and celebration.
The Scroll
of Esther
Concert Version / Children's Puppet Theater Version
The Scroll of Esther is a vibrant theatrical celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim, bringing to life the dramatic, humorous, and heroic story of Queen Esther and the saving of the Jewish people in ancient Persia.Blending lively theater, song, and dance, the production captures the festive spirit and cherished traditions of Purim from an unlikely point of view, from masks and merriment to revelry and joyful storytelling.Audiences of all ages are invited to share in this colorful retelling, where courage, identity, and celebration take center stage in a timeless tale of triumph and joy.
Lights
of Freedom
One Family's Journey to Jerusalem for the Holidays
Lights of Freedom is a heartfelt musical story of one family’s journey from Haifa to Jerusalem for Chanukkah, woven with warm childhood memories and wonder.Through intimate storytelling and song, the production captures the magic of the Festival of Lights while reflecting on family, heritage, and belonging.Embracing the shared spirit of the winter season, the show becomes a joyful celebration of holidays across traditions from Chanukkah to Christmas, featuring beloved songs from the most cherished festive repertoires in a luminous tapestry of light, memory,
and freedom.
THE
EXODUS
40 Years of Wonder
The Exodus is an epic musical retelling of the ancient story of liberation at the heart of Passover.Through powerful song, dramatic storytelling, and dynamic movement, the production brings to life the journey from bondage to freedom, following Moses, the Israelites, and their flight from Egypt toward hope and covenant.Drawing on the rich traditions and symbols of Pesach, the show weaves familiar motifs and melodies into a sweeping theatrical experience that celebrates resilience, faith, and the enduring human longing for redemption.
Return
to Eden
The World Keep On Spinning, And We - Singing!
Return to Eden is an uplifting journey into the themes of renewal, tracing the story of humankind from the Garden of Eden to the present through the yearly cycles of life and return.Through beloved seasonal melodies, evocative storytelling, and expressive performance, this Rosh Hashanah program explores ancient origins and enduring traditions.Audiences encounter the haunting beauty of Selichot prayers, the symbolism of the Tashlich ritual of casting away the past, and the stirring call of the shofar, sounded as an awakening for all. The celebration culminates in songs and stories of the festive Rosh Hashanah table, where symbolic foods embody hopes for sweetness, abundance, and new beginnings.
Make Your
Own Show
Bringing Your Artistic Vision to Reality!
Your vision, brought to life on stage.Choose 15–20 (or more) of your favorite songs,
and we’ll craft a fully tailored performance to suit your celebration, venue, and budget.Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate cultural program, a festive holiday event, or a vibrant musical journey, our artists shape the repertoire, style, and storytelling around you, creating a one-of-a-kind show that reflects your tastes, themes, and occasion.
MUSIC
Avram Avinu
This ancient Ladino song brought us back to our roots through singing and dancing!
Galbi
This song was written 30 years ago by Yemenite poet and singer Aharon Amram, and is one of the most popular street songs. "My heart loves freedom, don't stop me from being free".
Odessa Teaser Clip
A fun SoundBite Clip of the traditional Odessa Bulgarish song
Odessa Bulgarish (Full)
Performed by The Chutzpah Caravan
Sherale Bulgar
Performed by The Chutzpah Caravan
Czardas
Performed by The Chutzpah Caravan
Ich Hob Dich
Performed by The Chutzpah Caravan
STAY TUNED FOR MORE...
GALLERY
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