Under the glow of white patio lights, amidst a swirl of friendly faces, Indian music playing in the background, over 300 of Toronto’s Jewish and Indian young professionals gathered last Thursday evening at Tryst Nightclub on Peter Street, to experience BINDAAS – an artistic and inspirational event celebrating a fusion of Indian and Jewish music, food, art and dance.

The word, “bindaas”, Hindi slang for “cool” or “it’s all good”, best described this spectacular event, organized and sponsored by The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), SizeDoesntMatter.com and Hillel of Greater Toronto, in partnership with 16 other organizations from Toronto’s Indian and Jewish communities.

Catering to all the senses, guests attending BINDAAS were welcomed with a line-up of savoury Indian and Jewish foods. Vegetarian pakoras, samosas served with spicy mango dip and mini pita falafel sandwiches floated about the room, and an assortment of colourful Indian sweets, honey cake and halva followed. Henna tattoos were a big hit, and it was worth the wait to have one of Vaishali Shah’s (Shagun Henna Designs, vaishalivms@yahoo.com) beautiful creations. The excitement continued with a mesmerizing classical Indian dance performance, called Katahk, performed by husband and wife team, Hemand and Vaishali Panwar of the Panwar Dance Academy.

It’s the first snowstorm of the season, but the weather doesn’t seem to stop 150 people from coming out to cheer on their friends and family at Toronto’s legendary Silver Dollar Room. Music by the Eagles, Peter Frampton and Bob Seger roars through the crowd. The vibe is electric, the musicians are playing their hearts out, and clearly this isn’t any ordinary gig. The musicians are actually regular folk – marketing executives, lawyers, scientists, architects and bankers – enrolled in a10 week course with The League of Rock (LOR), an adult rock music program. Participants have been gearing up and rehearsing for this big night- the final showcase- since they first joined.

Founded and conceived in 2006, by entrepreneur, Terry Moshenberg, the LOR has catered to over 650 participants who play an instrument or sing, and offers members a place in a band, a series of workshops and music coaching. Moshenberg started the LOR because he felt that adults, in general, often overlook their own passions and creativity. “ We, as parents, foster our kids’ interests, by signing them up for hockey, ballet, or soccer, and tend to put our needs in a box. Everyone deserves the ability to continually explore and enrich their lives ”, Moshenberg explains. In addition to the Toronto location, LOR has chapters in Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, New York and Chicago. The LOR provides the microphones, drums kits and PA systems at all locations, and members also get to record their very own CD in a professional recording studio.