24 | JUNE 13 • 2024
J
N
M
ichael HarPaz,
the renowned
Israeli entertainer
and former Detroiter who
has performed around the
world, will be performing at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
(CSZ) in Southfield on Tuesday,
June 18, at 7:30 p.m.
The event, “
An Evening with
Michael HarPaz — Songs and
Stories from Tel Aviv,
” is part of
a busy summer in Detroit for
the multitalented HarPaz.
Not only is he performing at
CSZ, but he’s also performing at
Camp Tamarack for Tamarack
Family Fun Day and will
be emceeing the opening
ceremonies of the 2024 JCC
Maccabi Games at Little
Caesars Arena.
HarPaz says all of that
stems from what he’s been
doing recently, which is a lot
of “hasbara,
” which means to
explain, and is a word he says
has taken on a whole new
meaning since Oct. 7.
“It’s basically sort of
explaining to the world the
truth, basically trying to fight
all the fake news and the false
narratives,
” HarPaz says. “I have
been making lots of videos that
give a real vantage point from
someone from the U.S. with
an American background but
living here in Israel during these
insane times.
”
Coupled with his singing,
acting and performing since
Oct. 7, he’s been doing these
videos on his own volition and
posting them to social media.
HarPaz feels if there’s a way
he can educate at least one
person or shine some light on
some truth or even perhaps
help some college-aged students
who are having difficulty
combating antisemitism, that is
his responsibility.
“
A lot of these videos I’ve
been making and posting on
my social media have been
getting a tremendous amount
of traction,
” HarPaz says. “So
in lieu of these videos, lots of
different English-speaking
Jewish communities around the
world have asked me to come
out and speak and talk and do
hasbara.
”
Since Oct. 7, HarPaz has
done these events in New York,
Los Angeles, Las Vegas and
even Tel Aviv and Warsaw.
HarPaz has lived in Israel
since 2006, and also has a
degree in Near Eastern and
Judaic Studies from the
University of Michigan.
“So, I do know what I’m
talking about. I’m not just
pulling facts out of thin air,
” he
says. “I know the history quite
well.
”
A portion of the proceeds
of this event will go to support
Israeli victims of terror and
their families.
“There’s gonna be a full-on
concert, and I’m also going
to weave in some anecdotes
I think people will find
fascinating in just how the
events of Oct. 7 have seeped
into every nuance of everything
in this country, everywhere,
”
HarPaz says.
HarPaz’s sister, Daniella
HarPaz Mechnikov, is the
executive director of the
kosher food pantry Yad Ezra.
HarPaz refers to her as the “real
rockstar of the family,
” with all
the work she does to help the
community at large.
HarPaz will also be taking
some questions from the
audience. Plus, he may have a
couple surprise guests up his
sleeve.
“It will be an intimate,
acoustic evening,
” he says.
“
Always my first goal is to
entertain the audience, I hope
they enjoy the music, and I
hope they are touched and
moved.
”
The event is generously
sponsored by the Weisberg
Family Concert Fund.
To buy tickets, visit
shaareyzedek.shulcloud.com/
event/an-evening-with-michael-
harpaz-.html.
Renowned Israeli entertainer will be busy in Metro
Detroit this summer “explaining to the world.”
Michael HarPaz Performing at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
OUR COMMUNITY