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Salaam, aleinu ve'al kol ha'olam. Peace upon us and upon the whole world. The Hebrew and Arabic blended in harmony as I sang with the Jerusalem Youth Chorus last year while studying abroad in Israel. This unique program brings together Palestinian and Israeli youth to sing and engage in dialogue about peace. There I met Alaa, a Palestinian who joined the choir in secret. Despite not knowing Hebrew and facing rejection from his community, Alaa found common ground with his Israeli peers. I thought of my own grandfather who survived the Holocaust as a child and went on to fight in three Arab-Israeli wars. He never knew the benefit of building bridges with his neighbors and instead lived with violence and trauma.
Upon my return to the U.S. -- and seeing all around me escalating racial and political unrest -- I knew I wanted to continue the critical work of pursuing peace (rodef shalom). After being selected as one of Springboard Chicago’s 18 Under 18 Honorees, I was excited to dedicate my impact project to this cause. Combining my passion for music, Israel, and social justice, I organized a virtual benefit concert where 100% of proceeds will go to the Jerusalem Youth Chorus. The concert will feature many talented Jewish musicians singing songs about peace, inclusion, and equality. We will also hear from an Israeli and a Palestinian, who will share their experience in the chorus and how it has impacted their lives. I invite all of you to join me at the benefit concert on May 2nd at 1 p.m CST! Thanks to the legacy of my grandfather, Alaa and the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, and the Springboard Chicago community, I am inspired to do what I can to bring diverse groups together to find common ground for the greater good. Thank you so much for your support!
Concert Registration Link
About the Jerusalem Youth Chorus
Upon my return to the U.S. -- and seeing all around me escalating racial and political unrest -- I knew I wanted to continue the critical work of pursuing peace (rodef shalom). After being selected as one of Springboard Chicago’s 18 Under 18 Honorees, I was excited to dedicate my impact project to this cause. Combining my passion for music, Israel, and social justice, I organized a virtual benefit concert where 100% of proceeds will go to the Jerusalem Youth Chorus. The concert will feature many talented Jewish musicians singing songs about peace, inclusion, and equality. We will also hear from an Israeli and a Palestinian, who will share their experience in the chorus and how it has impacted their lives. I invite all of you to join me at the benefit concert on May 2nd at 1 p.m CST! Thanks to the legacy of my grandfather, Alaa and the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, and the Springboard Chicago community, I am inspired to do what I can to bring diverse groups together to find common ground for the greater good. Thank you so much for your support!
Concert Registration Link
About the Jerusalem Youth Chorus
Organizer
Emma Shimovich
Organizer
Skokie, IL