Music is a quintessential aspect of any culture. Until today, the WOFI group and I did not get a chance to truly grasp this aspect of Israel. Late this evening we ventured to the Zappa Club in Jerusalem to see a performance called “Piut and Roll.” The point of the concert was to combine traditional Jewish poems and songs (piutim) with a new, fun, rock and roll style. The performers ( many apparently famous in Israel) sang a number of different songs along with a core band in the background. They performed non-stop, albeit with alternating lead singers, for over two hours, including numerous well-deserved encores.
What made this concert truly unique was the fact that it broke the “bubbles” that make up Israeli society. The performers came from many different backgrounds and groups, some being Orthodox while others were clearly secular. To create the concert, they worked together for years to study the piutim and then set them to rockin’ rock and roll music. By studying together and ultimately performing together, the men and women who comprise “Piut and Roll” broke many barriers that span Israeli society. It was quite a sight, for example, to see an Orthodox woman, traditionally clothed from head to toe, singing alongside men in t-shirts as well as a rabbi/performer in a suit.
I know that I speak for many of us when I say that I couldn’t understand the Hebrew lyrics to all of the songs. But, that did not stop me from enjoying the concert’. The large club was packed with Israelis who were extremely excited and clapped wildly. We were no different. If anything, we WOFI-ites were more enthusiastic than the Israelis. During every single upbeat song, we were on our feet dancing, cheering, and clapping. It was the perfect experience for our final night together as a group, now that we have all bonded and have truly become great friends. Attending the “Piut and Roll” concert has made me realize just how much of an impact WOFI has made on my life and how much I will miss my fellow members of Cohort 4.