I
World
Reaching Out
Israeli Noa and Palestinian Awad
promote peace through music.
Robyn Berkowitz
SIMPLY THE BEST
CAMPS EVER!
30
May 13 • 2010
Special to the Jewish News
East Lansing
I
t is during times of war that we
must come together and break
the cycle of violence,' said Noa,
one of Israel's star musicians, dur-
ing a May 5 concert at Michigan
State Univerisity's Wharton Center.
"We must learn how we can live in
peace?'
Known in Israel by her given
name, Achinoam Nini, she per-
formed an array of songs promot-
Singers Noa and Mira Awad, Israeli and
ing peace, understanding and love.
Palestinian, bring coexistence onstage.
Fusing musical sounds ranging
from jazz to classical to rock, she
thousands of reactions — both posi-
credits her special sound to both
tive and negative — from around the
her Yemenite background and her
world.
longtime musical collaborator, Gil
"People initially rejected the idea of
Dor, who has been composing and
a Jew and Arab representing Israel:'
performing with her for more than 20
Noa said. "Jews said, 'How can an
years.
Arab represent Israel?' and vice versa.
Noa's exceptional performance was
Everyone had their case of why this
complemented by her special guest,
should not happen?'
Palestinian actress, singer and song-
Despite the strong reactions and
writer Mira Awad. Their partnership,
many obstacles, the women decided
Noa said, "has brought the term 'col-
that, as Noa explained, "during times
laboration to a whole new level."
of war, we must come together and
The talented artists met 10 years
break this circle of violence — we
ago while Noa was searching for a
must learn how we can live in peace."
Palestinian singer to collaborate with
Noa said the motivation behind
on the Beatles' song We Can Work It
writing the song was "a way to present
Out for her internationally released
an alternative to the current reality
album, Now." The duo began recording and show what things could theoreti-
and performing together and became
cally be like if people reached out to
an instant success. Despite their dif-
one another.
ferences, the two singers have much in
"We all know that we can live in
common. According to Noa, they both
war, but what we should be presenting,
singing and writing about is how we
are "strong-willed, independent, have
many of the same musical influences
can live in peace."
and agree on the same basic theoreti-
Noa hopes her collaboration with
Mira will encourage deeper thought
cal beliefs?'
Their friendship grew even stronger and action, and she urges young
through their participation in the
people to "get involved, reach out and
popular Eurovision Contest, an annual make change through political and
social work."
European song competition. Each
participating country selects one song
Noa's performance was generously
sponsored by the Larry & Faylene
to enter. Noa and Awad were selected
Owen Arts and Culture Fund at MSU
in 2009 to represent Israel with their
Hillel, the Greater Lansing Jewish
song, There Must Be Another Way.
Welfare Federation and Mid-Michigan
Composed by Noa, Awad and Dor,
MRI Incorporated. 0
the song contains lyrics in Hebrew,
Arabic and English and emphasizes
Robyn Berkowitz, a 2008 MSU graduate,
hope and understanding through
is director of engagement at MSU Hillel.
common humanity. The song received