Innovative celebration draws South Asians from across tri-state area for three-hour singalong
HOBOKEN, NJ: Over 650 members of the South Asian community came together on October 25, 2025, evening for an innovative Diwali celebration in New Jersey: a three-hour jam session where the audience became the performers.
The event at the HOPES CAP Center in Hoboken featured no headliner, no band, and not even a microphone—just hundreds of voices united in popular Bollywood songs, accompanied by candlelight and acoustic guitars. Attendees traveled from across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania for the celebration.
"It was incredible to see so many people singing together," said Shivani, a young professional from Central New Jersey. "The genuine positivity from both groups created something truly special. I felt more connected to my culture and community than I have in a long time."
The jam session was a collaborative effort hosted by two local youth groups. The Jersey Jammers, whose free-for-all singing events have grown from a dozen participants to hundreds over the past few months, partnered with the Bridge Builders, global youth-led service organization affiliated with the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune, India. Both groups connected over a shared belief in the Bridge Builders' motto: "Hope. Help. Heal."
(Photo courtesy: The Bridge Builders)
Simple Format, Powerful Impact
The format of the jamming session is simple: The Jersey Jammers curate beloved, singable Bollywood classics. They start strumming their guitars, and within moments, the entire room joins in. No spotlight. No auditions. Just collective joy.
The timing proved especially meaningful for attendees—largely college students and early-career professionals that live thousands of miles away from their families. For many, this was their first Diwali celebration away from home.
The Bridge Builders, active across multiple countries for over 30 years, regularly host initiatives including serving the homeless, charity sports tournaments, and mindfulness sessions for youth.
The event represented both groups’ largest turnout to date, and they have announced plans for additional collaborative events in the coming months focused on creating community and spreading positivity.
About Bridge Builders: Bridge Builders is a youth-led global community service organization affiliated with the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune, India, active across 10 countries for over 30 years.
About Jersey Jammers: Jersey Jammers hosts free-for-all jam sessions throughout Hudson County, NJ, where community members gather to sing popular Bollywood songs together.
