Paired with effective strategies for peaceful conflict resolution, the program’s goal is to open the eyes and hearts of children and the tools they need recognize and act upon the world with respecting the dignity of all individuals. “It’s the most important work of my life,” Yarrow stated while on stage, referring to his ten-year old project, Operation Respect, a character development program now in 22,000 elementary schools.ĭeveloped as an outreach attempt to stem the rising tide of bullying in schools and disrespectful public discourse, Yarrow passionately believes that music remains a catalyst for social change by creating a sense of community that is shared when singing together. It is now the anthem of his current heartfelt project, Operation Respect. The song telescopes the negative effects of bullying and hatred while reaching out for acceptanceĪnd love. He turned to his next song, Don’t Laugh at Me. Yarrow mesmerized the audience with a haunting rendition of Leaving on a Jet Plane, dedicated to his folksinging colleague Mary Travers, who recently passed away. We meet Peter Yarrow unadorned, the man whose music has rallied people all over the world toĬourageously do what must be done for equality and freedom. Yarrow also led a rousing version of Puff the Magic Dragon with a new, extended, ending.īut after the children left the stage, Yarrow, alone with his guitar, still after fifty years of performing, completely fills the stage. The children introduced themselves, pantomimed to song lyrics Yarrow sang, and sung along with a children’s repertoire of popular folk songs. Yarrow began the Thursday night program by inviting children in the audience to join him on the stage for a lively “Happening!” The book also comes with an audio CD with three songs, Yarrow’s Day Is Done, the traditional, I Know Where I’m Going, and Dona, Dona, Dona, a popular Yiddish folk song. The illustrations are rich and compelling – a perfect compliment to the warmth of family story-times. The book, based on the song of the same name that he recorded as part of the Peter, Paul and Mary folksinging group in 1969, is a tender embrace of childhood fears and the loving reassurance parents or mentors can provide. Yarrow appeared at The Jewish Book Fair to promote one of his newest endeavors, the children’s book with accompanying audiotape CD, Day Is Done. If not, you’ve missed the boat of being Jewish.”
Yarrow lives by his words that “If you’re responsible for being Jewish, then you’re responsible for tzedakah (charity) for everyone and creating a mitzvah for the whole of humankind. It is also about his exemplary life of Tikun Olam-his personal mission as one individual to “repair the world” through his activism on behalf of civil rights and the support for the dignity of each individual. And it is not all about the music-but Dayenu, that would be enough. He owns the audience even before he starts to sing.
LA JOLLA, California –When Peter Yarrow walked onto the stage Thursday night, November 12, at the San Diego Jewish Book Fair, the electricity in the air was palpable.