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Israeli musicians in harmony for U.S. solidarity CD
Ari Ben Goldberg

Israeli rock stars are demonstrating their support for America with the upcoming release of a new version of Carole King's pop classic "You've Got a Friend."

The song will be performed by about a dozen leading Israeli artists and will appear on a CD to be released ahead of the annual General Assembly of United Jewish Communities in Washington, D.C., in November. "The local music industry wants American Jews, indeed all Americans, to know that Israel shares their grief following the September 11 terrorist attacks," says Tova Dorfman, director of the Israel and Overseas Department of the Jewish Federation of Detroit and one of the producers of the album. "Americans have always supported Israel in times of crisis. This is a way for Israelis to show their solidarity with the U.S. in its own time of need."

The project was conceived by Dorfman and Israeli pop star David D'or (pictured) following a September 15 solidarity rally in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square, which attracted 40,000 people and featured many popular musicians.

"The new 'You've Got A Friend' will be a little like the 'We Are the World' recording from the mid-1980s [in aid of Ethiopian famine relief] � all the artists singing in the studio together, with some solo sections," says D'or, one of those performing. "The rest of the CD will feature songs by various Israeli performers on relevant themes, such as my own 'Tishmor Al HaOlam' [Take Care of the World]."

Produced by Tel Aviv-based Hed-Artzi Records, the album is set to debut at the GA on November 9-13. "The Israelis are volunteering their time and energy," notes Dorfman. "The proceeds will go to the emergency relief fund of the UJC, the umbrella organization representing North American Jewish federations, on behalf of families affected by the attacks."

The album is being funded by the Jewish Agency's new People to People program, set up this year to increase cultural connections between Israeli and Diaspora Jews, and the Agency's marketing division.

"Both societies have been shaken to the core by the horrific events in New York and Washington," says Jay Shofet, director of the People to People program. "I didn't see a dry eye in Israel when the attacks happened."

The producers say they're planning to shoot an accompanying video for the new album.

(October 22, 2001)

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