By: Richard L. Smith
A powerful evening of music and remembrance is set to take place on Wednesday, May 28, as the Aurway Repertory Theatre partners with the Gonmiah family to present “Remembering Jacob,” a benefit concert honoring the life and legacy of Newark native Jacob Gonmiah.
The tribute will be held at the Jewish Museum of New Jersey, located in Newark’s North Ward, and is scheduled during the birth month of Gonmiah—a devoted man of faith, music enthusiast, and gifted Liberian-American writer.
Proceeds from the event will support the development of the Jacob W. Gonmiah Memorial Health & Wellness Center in Duanpa, a village in Liberia, West Africa. 
The evening’s program will showcase a rich selection of gospel, inspirational, and contemporary music performed by the Aurway Ensemble.
Among the featured works are original arrangements by Lawrence Dandridge, Aurway’s artistic leader, who is currently touring nationally with The Wiz.
Aurway Repertory Theatre, based in Newark, is known for creating platforms for Black and Brown voices through original productions and artistic development.
In 2024, the group launched Aurway Abroad, an international initiative that brings culturally resonant art to global stages. 
The program has recently taken the ensemble to Japan and Chicago, connecting communities through music and storytelling.
Organizers say “Remembering Jacob” is not only a celebration of one man’s enduring spirit, but also a testament to the power of creativity, faith, and community to build lasting change.
Event Information:
Date: Wednesday, May 28
Time: Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Jewish Museum of New Jersey, Newark, NJ
Tickets: $20, available at Aurway Tickets
The concert is expected to draw supporters from across the region who wish to honor Gonmiah’s memory while advancing a cause dedicated to health and wellness in his ancestral homeland.