As the audience sang along to lyrics such as, “Today, finally, I’ll make you smile/Today, I’ll banish the sadness from your eyes,” it was the perfect blending of a joyful sound and sorrowful present.
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Although he sings in English, Avidan spoke to the packed theater in Hebrew, telling the audience at the outset that he did not consider his music “escapism.”
“My dad taught that music is giving and that we have to be a vessel if you have it – everything is from Hashem. If God gives you the gift of a voice, it is for a reason.”
Toren was awarded an honorary songwriting award from Israel’s music and literary rights association, ACUM.
The Terminal is housed in the historic Hangar 15, a 1950s structure that has served various port needs over the years. The venue can accommodate up to 2,000 people per event.
The controversial lyrics say, “(from) Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa, Mia Khalifa; Every day is a day; All the units in the army come to harbu darbu on their heads!"
Jerusalemite of the Week: A passionate singer-songwriter, Rutstein begin organizing and creating various art events throughout Jerusalem and beyond.
Anti-Israel activists have been calling for months to bar Israel from the contest and have unsuccessfully lobbied other countries’ participants to boycott the competition.
The event will include a line-up of some of Israel's biggest artists and will raise funds for victim families and survivors.