Raising Their Voices in Solidarity

Fifty Jewish recording artists recently teamed up for the most ambitious project in Jewish music- all to the tune of showing solidarity for Israel. The musicians joined together to produce the two-CD set “Voices for Israel,” which features the largest gathering ever of diverse Jewish musicians, including Dan Nichols, Rick Recht, SAFAM, and Shlock Rock.

In the title track, “Chazak Amenu: We Stand As One,” the musicians raise their voices for Israel in a stirring new solidarity anthem, singing out: “We stand as one…. We must go on…. We will be strong.” “The lyrics powerfully evoke the enduring hope of all Jewish people for unity and peace,” says Jordan Gorfinkel, the man behind the idea for the CD. Gorfinkel is also co-founder and singer/songwriter for Beat’achon, a Jewish a cappella group.

“Voices for Israel” also features more than 30 songs that celebrate Israel and Judaism. One highlight is “Shir Lismoach: Malki’s Song,” written by Israeli teenager Malki Roth just months before she died in a terrorist bombing in 2001. In Malki’s joyous song, she proclaims, “Each and every Jew has a spark and a beginning. This is a reason for rejoicing.”

“Voices for Israel” sprouted on a blustery Saturday night in the winter of 2001, recalls Gorfinkel. Beat’achon was set to perform in a Cleveland synagogue, but soon after Shabbat ended, the community learned that a homicide bombing had occurred that day in Jerusalem. Beat’achon asked the synagogue’s rabbi whether the show should still go on. The rabbi answered, “absolutely”- the community should come together at a time of tragedy.

The Beat’achon show went on and the group concluded the evening with an inspiring rendition of “Hatikvah,” the Israeli national anthem. “A community member approached us after the show and urged us to record our ‘Hatikvah,’ saying that it is ‘exactly what the Jewish people need at this time,’” recalls Gorfinkel.

Gorfinkel decided to take the idea one step further- envisioning a new solidarity anthem sung by an all-star lineup of Jewish musicians, with all proceeds from the song going to help Israeli victims of terrorism and their families. However, in observance of kol ishah- the Talmud’s prohibition against men listening to women sing- only male vocalists are featured on the CD. The organizers made this difficult decision so that all parts of the Jewish community could stand united.

Working with the Israel Emergency Solidarity/One Family Fund, Gorfinkel hit the phones to line up the stars. “The response was amazing,” he says. “Every artist said, ‘Just tell me where to be and when.’ My initial goal was 18 participants. We had to close the list at over 50!”

Not all 50 stars were able to be in one place at one time, but through the power of technology, their voices are joined in “Chazak Amenu.” Many of the musicians recorded their tracks near their hometowns or on the road- from Sam Glaser in Los Angeles to Joe Black in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Lenny Solomon in Jerusalem. Recording star Yehuda! devoted nearly one year to blending the voices into one harmonious song.

“‘Voices for Israel’ is a testament to what the Jewish people can accomplish when we come together,” says Gorfinkel. “I hope our music inspires other creative projects on behalf of Israel, and that we bring greater harmony to the Jewish people.”