Rock 'n' Rebuild
Israel Emergency Campaign Benefit Concerts with

Aviv Geffen

In an Intimate Acoustic Performance

All net proceeds from the concerts will help rebuild the lives of the people of Northern Israel

For over 20 years, the JCF has maintained a strong and unique partnership with the Upper Galil region in Northern Israel, now allowing us to respond immediately to the needs of our Israeli family as they rebuild their lives.

GIVE NOW! Stand with Israel and support its most vulnerable citizens in this time of crisis!

Aviv Geffen, one of the top Israeli musicians of the past decade, is showing his support for the rebuilding of Israel by performing an exclusive acoustic show. This truly moving experience will feature songs from all his albums and a perspective from one of Israel's most influential musicians who also has a worldwide appeal. Background on Aviv Geffen...

Background: Aviv Geffen is one of Israel’s premier pop musicians. A nephew of the late Moshe Dayan and the son of famous Israeli poet and playwright Yehonatan Geffen, Aviv has served as a leading voice for his generation of young Israelis since the early 1990s. Many of his songs have become classics of Israeli pop-folk music, and many are ballads with serious socio-political critiques. He was originally known for an androgynous appearance - reminiscent of David Bowie in his glam-rocker days – but has since distanced himself from that image.

Aviv performed at the November 4, 1995 peace rally at which Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. He has since performed every year at the annual memorial rally held at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. His song “Livkot Lecha” (“To Cry For You”) has become closely identified with the Rabin assassination (although it was not originally written in memory of Rabin).

His concerts will be acoustic performances, as befits events of these kinds.

Two of his songs can be heard on the following links:

Co-sponsored with Yad BeYad Association Silicon Valley, the Young Adult Division of the JCF, the Consulate General of Israel in San Francisco and the Russian Division of the JCF.

Click for more info

Ivri Lider in Concert presented by the Israel Center and TEEV

Ivri Lider is one of the most successful and esteemed rock artists of his generation. In less than a decade, this bashful young musician has become a superstar and the “official” spokesman of a generation he calls “the new people”.

A gifted songwriter, composer, producer, actor and poet, Ivri has written, composed and produced rock hits on gold- and platinum-selling albums and sold-out live shows in Israel. His fourth album, Ze Lo Oto Davar (It’s not the Same), released in 2005, has reached platinum. The album featured a 40-piece string orchestra showcasing Ivri’s versatility as an artist, since his third album featured an electronic sound.

Ivri has had numerous monster hits, among them Leonardo; Tamid Ahava (Always Love); Yotter Tov Clum Mikimat (Better Nothing than Almost); Hultzat Passim (Striped Shirt); Hakos Ha’ke’chula (The Blue Glass); Batei Kaffe (Coffee Shops); Al Kav Hamayim (On the Water Front); Bo (Come); Mary La’Netzach (Mary Forever); Zachiti Le’ehov (I was Privileged to Love); Nissim (a common male name in Israel), Lehavin Et Hamayim (Understanding the Water); and Lo Oto Davar (It’s not the Same).

A sought-after creative talent, Ivri has composed scores for dance companies and feature films as well as for other major Israeli stars. For example, in 2002, Ivri collaborated with Idan Raichel, who at the time was the keyboard player in Ivri’s band. Ivri produced and arranged the song Bo’ee (Come with Me), which later became a giant hit for The Idan Raichel Project. Ivri composed original music for the soundtracks of the internationally acclaimed films Yossi and Jagger, Walk on Water, and the new The Bubble (featuring a beautiful cameo by Ivri as a bar singer performing the classic The Man I Love). Ivri has decided to be open and upfront about his gay lifestyle, an admission that was met with much warmth and support from his fan base.

His numerous awards in Israel include Lyricist of the Year, Male Singer of the Year, Best Male Singer and Best Live Show.

Ivri Lider's website: English / Hebrew

Wednesday Nov 8, 2006. 8:00 pm. Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street, San Francisco.

Co-sponsored by: Consulate General of Israel, San Francisco; Israel Center, San Francisco; teev events, inc; Israel at Heart

Join us for an intimate conversation with Ivri Lider

• Tuesday, November 7. 5:30 pm. UC Berkeley - 202 Cesar E. Chavez, the Gender Equity Resource Center. Organized by: Gender Equity Resource Center and the Berkeley Hillel
• Wednesday, November 8. 12:00 Noon. UCSF - Cole Hall of the Medical Sciences Building, 513 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco. Organized by: LGBT Student Association at UCSF

Shemtov Levy and Shlomo Idov are two famous and well known Israeli musicians who were also part of the two major music ensembles in Israel during the 70's: "Tzlil Mechuvan" and "Ktzat Acheret".

Levy has written musical scores for many films and received three academy awards for “The Best Soundtrack” ("Kikar Hachalomot").

With Levy playing flute and piano, and Idov on the guitar, this exciting concert will be filled with their hits from the 70’s and with their original compositions written throughout the years.  More...

Sunday, January 28, 8:00 p.m.
College of San Mateo Theatre, 1700 West Hillsdale Blvd. San Mateo.
Tickets: $65-VIP tickets for the two "Warm Homes" of yad beyad, $45, $35-students. Contact: Vered Ravid (408) 530-8243.

Presented by: Yad BeYad-Silicon Valley, co-sponsored by: the Israel Center.

Having released nearly 50 recordings since the late 1960's, many of them now gold or platinum, Chava is Israel's premier female musician.

Thursday, February 22, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
CenterStage at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center. 200 N. San Pedro Rd. San Rafael.
Info: Kathy Langrock: Klangrock@Marinjcc.Org, or call 415.444.8000.

Sponsored by: Aaa Travel, Courtyard Marriott, Chalone Monterey Wines.

Blackfield: Featuring Aviv Geffen and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree)

Two years back and forth on the London-Tel-Aviv flight path, a mutual artistic curiosity, and a close friendship are the components that gave birth to Aviv and Steven's Blackfield project.

Aviv Geffen, a highly successful solo artist and outspoken (not to mention controversial) peace campaigner, with a string of gold albums in his own country (Israel), discovered the music of Steven's band Porcupine Tree in the mid 90's and followed their career development. In 2000 he invited the band to perform some concerts in Israel and met with Steven in London to discuss the idea. Something clicked and before long they had already collaborated on the very first Blackfield song. In 2001 the two met in a studio in Tel Aviv with the intention of recording a one-off EP. So pleased were they and the record company with the results however, that the EP originally scheduled for release in 2001 was cancelled and the decision was made to continue writing and recording with the aim of completing a full length LP. Over the next 18 months the pair fitted in Blackfield writing and recording sessions whenever they could between their other commitments and finally in October 2003 the album was complete.

Sunday, March 11, 8:00 p.m.
The Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco.
Information & Tickets: Great American Music Hall

Yehoram Gaon

The all-time favorite singer, stage, screen and TV star since the 1950s, Gaon will perform an intimate concert of his favorite hits.

Saturday, March 17, 8:00 p.m.
Peninsula Sinai Congregation, Foster City.
Info and tickets: Cantor Doron Shapira, 650.349.2816, cantor@peninsulasinai.org, www.peninsulasinai.org

Co-sponsored by: the Israel Center, the Consulate General of Israel.

David Broza

A superstar in his native Israel, this modern troubadour of urban folk-rock is steadily rising on the international radar. His sensual flamenco-flavored melodies, poetic lyrics and sultry good looks translate across cultural boundaries. More...

Sunday, March 18, 2007. 8:00 p.m.
The Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco.
Information & Tickets: Great American Music Hall and www.aviv2.com

Noa (Achinoam Nini)

Known in Israel as Achinoam Nini, Noa is one of Israel’s leading international concert and recording artists. She returns to San Francisco for two performances.

Wednesday, March 21, Thursday, March 22, 8:00 p.m.
Kanbar Hall, JCCSF
Info and tickets ($35-46): www.jccsf.org, 415.292.1233.
Special deal for Israel Center community. Call and mention code "TZAVTA" to get discounted tickets: 415.292.1200.

Presented by: the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.
Co-sponsored by: the Israel Center, and other organizations.

Avi Avital, Berkeley Jewish Music Festival

The mandolin virtuoso, who played with the Israel Philharmonic and won first prize at an international competition in Italy, performs pieces by contemporary Israeli composers.

Thursday, March 22, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley.
More info: jewishmusicfestival.org, 510.848.0237

Army Entertainment Troup

The IDF Musical Ensemble is composed of a small group of young, active duty Israel Defense Forces soldiers. The Ensemble performs throughout the year for various IDF units including soldiers serving on the front lines.

Concert proceeds benefit IDF Soldier Scholarship Programs and FIDF Widows and Orphans Fund.

Sunday, April 29. 4:30 p.m.
Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center Auditorium, Levy Family Campus, 14855 Oka Rd, Los Gatos.
Info:(408) 358-3033 / www.jvalley.org.
Ttckets: $36 reserved seating, $18 general, $5 youth, FREE kids under 6. BBQ dinner extra.

Co-Sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel in San francisco and other organizations.

Israeli Soprano Ayelet Cohen in Concerts

Ayelet Cohen, an award winning soprano who has performed with the Berkeley Opera, the Oakland Opera, and the Capitol Opera of Sacramento, is sure to delight with a repertoire that spans everything from classical opera to popular Israeli melodies.

Saturday, April 28, 8:00 p.m.
Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley.
Info: 510.848.0237 x127 / info@jcceastbay.org
Ttckets: $15 members, $20 general public.
Co-Sponsored by the Jewish Music Festival.

The Queen of Spades (Pique Dame) with Pocket Opera of San Francisco

Friday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. & Saturday, May 12, 2:00 p.m.
Legion of Honor, 34th Ave & Geary, San Francisco
Info and tickets: www.pocketopera.org

Sunday, May 20, 2:00 p.m.
Napa Valley Opera House.
Info and tickets: 707-226-7372 / www.pocketopera.org

Tzavta, the Israel Center and The Hub present:
The Listening Party

The Listening Party series aims to acquaint American audiences with Israeli music and Hebrew lyrics in an intimate bar setting.

The first party will focus on the Idan Raichel Project who will be performing on Sunday June 24 at Stern Grove. We will be joined by local musician Hyim, whose band The fOakland Orchestra will open the Stern Grove show.

Thursday, June 14. 7:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. FREE!
Loctaion: G Bar. 488 Presidio Ave., San Francisco.
RSVP required!

Idan Raichel Project at Stern Grove Festival

The Idan Raichel Project brings its entrancing blend of Ethiopian and Middle Eastern flavors for a spectacular afternoon at Stern Grove Festival. One of Israel's most popular music groups, their debut album shot to #1 on the Israeli album sales chart and went on to sell more than triple platinum in Israel alone. More about the Idan Raichel Project...

Opening the show will be Oakland-based HYIM and the Fat fOakland Orchestra, with an energetic combination of pop, Afro-Cuban, folk, hip-hop, reggae, jazz, and world beat music.

Sunday, June 24. 2:00 p.m.
19th Ave. @ Sloat Blvd., San Francisco.
Info: www.sterngrove.org

Sponsored by the Koret Foundation with additional support from the Israel Center.