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Violinist Who Fled Syria To Talk War, Peace And Rogers Park At Seder Dinner

By Linze Rice | April 21, 2016 5:42am
 Mariela Shaker escaped Syria at age 13 and will speak at a Seder event in Rogers Park Thursday.
Mariela Shaker escaped Syria at age 13 and will speak at a Seder event in Rogers Park Thursday.
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Gilles-Emmanuel JAcquet

ROGERS PARK — Mariela Shaker, a 25-year-old violinist who fled a war-torn Syria as a teen, is set to speak at the Sixth Annual Rogers Park Community Seder dinner Thursday night.

A Seder is a traditional Jewish dinner that kicks off the Passover season, but the now-sold out event welcomed everyone — regardless of religious affiliation or which neighborhood they live in.

The night's festivities will include guitar playing, food, drink and recounting the story of Passover. Guests will also "recognize those who, in the spirit of Passover, overcome life's obstacles," according to the event invitation. 

Enter Shaker.

"Mariela is making quite a name for herself at a young age, 25, as someone putting a face onto the plight of Syrian refugees through music and her bravery," said Mike Glasser, an organizer of the event who also works with the Rogers Park Builders Group and Family Matters.

At 13, Shaker escaped Syria by traveling with her violin through Aleppo and Beirut, Lebanon before finally making it to the United States, according to a Huffington Post profile of her.

She's now a graduate student living in Rogers Park, and continues to use her music as a harbinger of peace meant to unite, rather than a weapon used to divide.

About 70 people are expected to show at the dinner, being held at 7 p.m. at Ethiopian Diamond II, 7537 N. Clark St. Tickets cost $20 per person, and guests are encouraged to bring along a bottle of red wine.

"It need not be Kosher — this is EAST Rogers Park!" the invite reads.

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