The band “Shalva”, which inspires and breaks every boundary, also contributes to strengthening ties with the United Arab Emirates. This, when today (Monday) goes online to the joint performance of the band members and performing artists – accompanied by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gil Shochat – for “Bridge on Stormy Water”, the eternal hit of Simon and Garfunkel, unmatched to symbolize the peace bridge stretched with our friends The new ones in the Persian Gulf.
The song was recorded as part of the annual Friends of the United States gala event of Shalva, the largest and leading organization in the Middle East for people with disabilities and sponsored by Yosef al-Utayba, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, of the Architects of Peace with the Union, declaring: “A Bridge Over Stormy Water” demonstrates how we must continue to work together – regardless of nationality, religion or culture – to promote peace in the region. “
With all the excitement of the event, the song was virtually embroidered, with three eloquent artists – two singers and another player – recorded in their country. “Even if we unfortunately did not meet with them, it was fun to work together, especially through the zoom, with the artists from Dubai,” says Shai Ben-Shoshan, the musical director and founder of the band “Shalva”. “Wow, how much I enjoyed the professionalism and caring they showed, when in good faith we overcame the complexity of the matter.”
Ben-Shoshan is optimistic. “It seems to me that following the song’s rise to the web today, not only will we meet face – to – face with our musical partners from the Gulf, but it will also encourage further collaborations between artists from both countries,” he said.
According to him, members of the “Shalva” band enthusiastically received the announcement of their ascent on the Peace Bridge. “‘It’s a dream come true,’ said Tal Kima, one of the band’s two percussionists,” says Ben-Shoshan. “Tal knows a lot about Dubai, after reading a lot about this place out of a desire to get there. When I passed him a video about the statements, he was in the clouds.”
Let’s not forget another rib in Operation “Bridge over Stormy Water”. “Musically, the recording with an orchestra at the level of the Jerusalem Symphony was a ‘peaceful’ as a dreamy professional leap,” he notes. “For me too as a musical director it was like a dream to perform with the best musicians in the country. It was exciting how they treated us as equals and being with them on stage.”
Is it not small for you, as those who were warmly received by President Trump?
“No, not at all. I judge our successes first and foremost musically. In recent years we have had quite a few highs, including the Eurovision performance, but the main thing is that overall the music is the one that won. I hope the recording with the Jerusalem Symphony will lead to a tour- Joint performances, conducted by Gil Shochat. “
Ben-Shoshan, 39, performed with his vision the miracle called the band “Shalva”. His story is known as a “cherry” fighter who was wounded in an operational activity near Tulkarm. The formation of the band under the wings of the “Shalva” association was an important component in the recovery process. “When I first arrived at the association’s center in Jerusalem, I smiled straight away when I saw what a blessed activity there is,” he recalls. “To my delight, I received the support of the head of the association, Kalman Samuels, in the formation of the band.”
“The beginning was difficult,” says Ben-Shoshan. “More than once they told me ‘leave, laugh at them’ and did not invite them to performances, while today they perform endlessly, including during the Corona period.”
Together with Ben-Shoshan, the band has eight members. Familiar to the audience are the band’s soloists, Anal Khalifa, the visually impaired, who immigrated at the age of eight from France and the blind Dina Alley, who immigrated at the age of ten from India. With percussionists Tal Kima and Yair Pomberg, who are dealing with Down Syndrome; Drummer Yosef Ovadia, who is dealing with Williams Syndrome and visually impaired keyboardist Guy Maman. With them on guitar Sarah Samuels, the daughter of the head of the association.
“The band performed a lot abroad before it became famous in Israel,” says Ben-Shoshan. At first there were those who said that if we responded, we would be perceived as a curiosity and after a plan or two they would tell us ‘in the islands’ “
The audience in Israel was exposed to the band “Shalva” in late 2018, on the program “The Next Star” and fell unconditionally in love with its people, who were sure candidates to win not only it, but also the Eurovision Song Contest, until the topic of desecration of the Sabbath came up. Ben-Shoshan: “The band is made up of both religious and secular people, as a kind of mirror of Israeli society. I let them decide and everyone decided to give up competing in the Eurovision Song Contest, the main thing is to continue to be together.”
“The highlight was our performance on the artistic program there, knowing that 200 million people in the world are watching us,” he will not forget. “Everywhere we were advertised as the real winners of the Eurovision Song Contest and we received many letters from mothers of children in special education, thanking us for what we did for their children socially. One of them wrote about her son, who has Down Syndrome, who was rejected by his friends. He became the king of the neighborhood. “
And … Madonna?
“We missed it at the Eurovision Song Contest on the day, but not bad, after being invited to perform in many countries and being accepted, as mentioned, by President Trump. I can tell you I got to fly with all kinds of vehicles, but with the guys at ‘Peace’ it’s the most fun. They are disciplined, happy and know how to thank everything. “
According to Ben-Shoshan, the band continued its activities as much as possible during the Corona period: “At first it was difficult for people for whom routine was important, when due to the closure it was not possible to meet. In time we received permits to rehearse. And the result?” “At Zappa Jerusalem, we will perform six new songs from the period, when first-rate composers such as Kobi Oshret, Noam Horev and Avi Ohayon joined forces to write songs for us.”
And the dream?
“Continue to spread around the world both our music and the message for people with disabilities.”
Finally, it is amazing how Ben-Shoshan manages to maintain his modesty after his journey of achievement with “Shalva”. When I remark to him that he deserves the Israel Prize for his work, Ben-Shoshan is not confused and says: “If any prize comes, then for the whole band, not just me. If it were not for the band members, I do not know how I would take my injury and overcome it.”