AS 800 ATTEND, OU ISRAEL CENTER’S JERUSALEM DAY CONCERT ON MOUNT SCOPUS SUPPORTS WORK OF ‘ZULA’ AND OTHER CENTER PROGRAMS
A crowd of 800 packed the auditorium of Hebrew University’s Mount Scopus campus.
From left: Yossie Green on the piano and Ohad Moskowitz, filled the air with music.
Yom Yerushalayim – Jerusalem Reunification Day – was the perfect time for the Orthodox Union’s Abrams OU Jerusalem World Center to present a concert devoted to songs about Jerusalem. The concert, held on the Mount Scopus campus of Hebrew University, was organized in support of the now-legendary Pearl and Harold Jacobs Outreach Zula Center, which provides a safe haven in downtown Jerusalem for hundreds of youth at-risk. The concert was held in place of the Israel Center’s annual dinner.
Four chassidic singers provided the entertainment: Ohad Moskowitz, Chazzan Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, Yishai Lapidot and Yossi Green. A special presentation was made to Daniel Birenbaum, the CEO of Sodastream, an OU certified Israeli company which is the world’s largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of home carbonation systems, to allow consumers to make their own soda.
In a letter, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided greetings to concert-goers, declaring, “For over 30 years, the Israel Center has played an important role in strengthening Jewish identity and Jewish heritage among secular Israelis, and provides a place for Jews across the religious spectrum to connect with their history and tradition. The Israel Center also operates a range of social projects, lending a helping hand to those in need, including at-risk teens and youth in the periphery. Its focus on Judaism and Zionism helps shape the next generations, thereby ensuring our shared future.”
“Our Yom Yerushalayim concert was extremely successful, with over 800 guests,” declared Rabbi Avi Berman, Executive Director of OU Israel. The purpose was both to fundraise for the Zula and to let people know about all our incredible projects. The Zula is a program that provides a safe and warm environment for youth living on the street who are struggling with religion, identity and family. There was an inspiring video presented that left every guest with the feeling that these youth are a communal responsibility and it is up to everyone to donate and support the Zula.
“The idea in creating a concert this year was in order to expand our audience and to try a new program for our event. We found that this was a very exciting change and it was enjoyed by all.”
You can view Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Letter of Greeting Below:
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