Performers, audience merged in music at FIDF concert

By Marlene Rissman

Marlene Rissman
Marlene Rissman

SAN DIEGO — There is nothing like music to open the heart and awaken quieted passions. And this is what we experienced Tuesday night, Oct. 28, as the powerful and moving voice the chief cantor of the IDF, Lt. Col. Shai Abramson, and the beautiful voices of Cantor Netanel Baram, singer Jonathan Valverde and the IDF Rabbinate Choir.

Ofir Sobol, who arranged several of the pieces, conducted an orchestra of talented young musicians from Los Angeles. We were treated to songs sung in Hebrew, English and Spanish, and as they sang, the Balboa Theatre was filled with sounds that touched the soul.

Netanel Baram is currently the cantor at the Young Israel Synagogue of North Beverly Hills, while Jonathan Valverde is the director of Latinos For Israel. They often joined Cantor Abramson in lively trios or duets, as well as bringing us heartfelt solos.

The musical accompaniment was held strong by the six members of the IDF Rabbinate choir, who never missed a beat.

Addresses were made by Norman Smith, chairman of the FIDF; Nir Benzvi, Executive Director of the San Diego branch of the FIDF, and others, reminding us that our support of the IDF is both crucial and very much appreciated.

Lt. Col Abramson suggested that this second annual concert may become an annual event.

Tribute was given several times to the lone soldiers, brave young men and women who left their homes and families, to come to Israel to join the IDF and serve alongside their Israeli comrades. We salute them.

A standing ovation was given to a brave young 21 year old woman, an IDF paramedic, who made aliyah from Australia, and who served in the most recent war in Gaza. She described the intensity of her two weeks in Gaza, and the gratitude and relief of returning home to Eretz Israel.

Several times during the evening the whole theater vibrated with music, song, and clapping to the beat. In those moments, the audience and the performers merged into one, one body of love for Israel.

Music transcends. It transcends age, nationality, background, and affiliation. It is this evening’s music which transcended us as individuals. And as one, we supported wholeheartedly our homeland, Israel, and the strong and courageous fighting force, the IDF. May G-d continue to support and protect them, and as the FIDF motto says “Their Job is to Look After Israel. Ours is to Look After them.”

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Rissman is a freelance writer with strong interests in both Judaism and the arts.

2 thoughts on “Performers, audience merged in music at FIDF concert”

  1. Marlene,
    I could not attend, and regretted it. After reading your review, I regret it that much more. Sounds sensational.
    Thank you for capturing the “ruach”.
    xox
    Eva

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