Getting Back to Our Roots - Israel Philharmonic – American Friends

The Israel Philharmonic got its name after the Orchestra performed Hatikvah at Israel’s Declaration of Independence ceremony in 1948. I can’t think of another group of musicians as connected to the history of their country as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

I’m amazed at the remarkable musicians of the Israel Philharmonic, who serve their county and people with such dignity and grace. Israel is blessed to have such wonderful ambassadors. Each one of our donors is an ambassador too, and this Yom Haatzmaut, we’re celebrating you and everything you do to support our musicians.

Our world needs beautiful music now more than ever. Please donate today!
P.S. I hope you’ll join me on the new social platform Clubhouse for “Hummus Thursdays,” a weekly discussion room where I talk Israel, the Middle East, and life at large with Israeli actress & producer Noa Tishby, media personality Shanni Suissa, and celebrity guests. Happening every Thursday at 12 pm PST / 3 pm EST. See you there!

Hans Lewitus: Music and Memories
Go back in time to the earliest beginnings of the Israel Philharmonic, then called the Palestine Symphony Orchestra, with Eva Lewitus, widow of original founding member Hans Lewitus, clarinetist. Eva’s first-person testimony is a riveting oral history of the fascinating but little-known members that made the Israel Phil what it is today. Click below to read our interview with Eva (plus, view her private collection of photos).

Schmoozic! with Actress & Activist Noa Tishby
Join us as we commemorate Israel’s Memorial and Independence Days on an all-Israel Schmoozic!, TODAY at 12 PM PST / 3PM EST / 8 PM GMT / 10 PM IST. We’ll be joined by Israeli author, actress, writer, and activist Noa Tishby as we discuss Israel, its complex history, and the role of the Israel Philharmonic in shaping this young nation’s identity.

Noa is the author of Israel: a Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth.
Save the date for these upcoming Schmoozic! webinars:
May 4th: Menachem Kaiser, author of Plunder
May 23rd: Daniel Libeskind, world-renowned architect

Content to Watch, Listen, and Love This Month!

Israeli Poets Series: “The Guard Song” by Nathan Alterman
In the second part of the Israel Philharmonic’s “Playing Poetry” project, the extraordinary Achinoam Nini delivers a stunning rendition of Nathan Alterman’s “The Guard Song” with the full orchestral backing of IPO musicians.

Watch the performance of the song by Nathan Alterman for his daughter, poet Tirza Atar, set to music by Alexander (Sasha) Argov, arranged by Gil Dor, under the baton of Guy Feder. Atar’s song, Daily Love, was the subject of the first installment of the series last month.

Sulamot in Photos
Sulamot, the Israel Philharmonic’s music education program for children from disadvantaged and underprivileged backgrounds, is back in full swing. Two new programs have opened in Bat Yam and Kuseife and we are all feeling the excitement in the air. And the best part? We’ve captured it all in photos!