Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “I am delighted that we are able to provide Jewish music lovers with the opportunity to participate in a colorful event which is an outstanding musical experience.”

Raanana’s 21st annual Klezmer Celebration will be held this year on Tuesday, 27.7.10 at 20:30, at the Raanana Park Amphitheater.  The event will open at 19:30 with a Judaica fair, selling Jewish artwork and handicrafts.

Each year, the traditional event held in Raanana attracts thousands of people from across the country, who come to enjoy the outstanding musical experience, which combines various styles of authentic Jewish music.  This year, the event is entitled:  “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself”, to encourage acceptance of those who are different, in the spirit of the Raanana community.

Among the artists appearing at the festival:

• The Virtuosi of Tel Aviv Ensemble:  Featuring musicians from the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Zubin Mehta, and established in 1996 by violinist and composer, Alexander Povolotsky.  The ensemble has received high praise around the world and has appeared at international festivals in the U.S., Canada and South America.  The ensemble has recorded a number of discs in various styles:  “From Classical to Jazz”, melodies sung by opera singers, etc.
• Motti Giladi:  In order of the event, Giladi and his band will perform a humoristic musical salute to Tevyeh the Milkman and the violin which never comes down from the roof – called L’Chaim! – The show will include skits and relate to the Klezmer in Jewish tradition.
• The Pitchefkes:  The Klezmer band of the Bar Ilan Yeshiva of Arts and Sciences.  They will play old Jewish melodies under the direction of conductor Gershon Lazerson.
• Eldad Levi and the Masa La’Hashem Project: Soulful melodies using instruments and costumes from the Temple and special effects.
• Naor Carmi – Halev V’Hamaayan:  Chassidic melodies influenced by Viennese waltzes, Polish marches, Gypsy music and eastern music.  The band, established two years ago, has released on disc that was very successful and two more discs are scheduled to be released in the near future. 

Host:  Golan Azulai
Musical Director:  Menashe Lev Ran

The event will be attended by Mayor Nahum Hofree; Deputy Mayor and Informal Education Administration Director, Aryeh Friedman; Festival initiator and chairman, Tzvi Kenig; Director of the Torah Culture Division at the Education Ministry, Mr. Shmaryahu Harman.

Mayor Nahum Hofree:  “I am delighted that we are able to provide Jewish music lovers with the opportunity to participate in a colorful event which is an outstanding – one-of-a-kind - musical experience.”

Deputy Mayor Aryeh Friedman:  “This year’s celebration is entitled “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself” and will offer different styles of melodies, songs and dances to bring together different sectors of the population.”