Hadag Nachash - Jewish National Fund

Israel for You
A publication for high school students from The Jerusalem Post and Jewish National Fund
Hadag Nachash
Spring 2006
Soldier Stars
Young celebrities
juggle guns and
microphones
Meet the Kids
Gamers, painters,
gymnasts – the faces
of Israeli teens
Pre-Publication Limited Edition
Chart-Topping Hebrew Hip Hoppers
Inside
Welcome to the
first issue of iM:
Israel Messenger
Like a kaleidoscope, iM wants to
shake up what you know about
Israel – and then show you the
multi-colored facets of this country
in a new configuration.
In future issues, you’ll read about
food, fashion and fads. You’ll meet
Israeli teenagers in high school
and in the army. The sports, art,
culture and technological advances
that emanate from this land will be
presented here for you.
Articles will describe famous
Israelis at home and abroad, what
it’s like to live here and how Jewish
holidays are celebrated in the
Jewish State. You’ll read about
places you can visit and programs
you can join and you may learn a
few more words of Hebrew while
you’re at it.
Israel Messenger
Like the shapes in a kaleidoscope,
Israelis and the Israeli experience
come in many different colors and
sizes. Israel is home to all Jewish
people, no matter where we live.
Open the pages of iM and come to
know a different Israel than the
one portrayed in the news. iM is
Israel for you.
Spring 2006
2
Editor: GILAH KAHN-HOFFMANN
Associate Editor: NINA WOLDIN
Art Director: OFER ZEMACH
With iM Jewish High School Students Can:
Connect to Israeli life and culture
Learn and improve Hebrew
Meet Israeli celebrities
Write for iM: Israel Messenger! (Details on page 3.)
Subscribe to iM:
9 issues each year
Individual subscription $36
Special pre-publication price (before September 15, 2006) $32
One year of iM: Israel Messenger plus either The Jerusalem Post or
Jerusalem Report $100
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Bulk discount subscription rates: 25 to 99 copies $29 per year,
100 copies or more $27 per year
Order your subscription today!
On line: www.jnf.org/im
By phone: 1-866-576-7879
If you lived in Israel, how would your life be different? In what ways would
it be the same? Our first student reporter, Rachel Loebl, will help you find
out. On this page you will meet Rachel and the students she will interview.
In the next issue of iM you will get to know them better, and discover what
teenagers in Israel and the USA can learn from each other.
Hi! I’m Rachel Loebl, an 18-yearold from Little Rock, Arkansas. I
am a senior at the American
Hebrew Academy, a co-ed
pluralistic Jewish boarding school
in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Last fall, my grade of 14 students
traveled to Israel and studied in
the city of Hod Hasharon for three months. I have been
connected to Israel since a much younger age though,
as I have been active in Habonim Dror, a progressive
Zionist youth movement. I am also interested in
American politics, which I hope to study in addition to
medicine. Until then, I go to school Monday through
Friday, play basketball and run track and cross country
on school teams. Next year I plan on attending Barnard
College in New York City.
Meet the Israelis
They live in Kiryat Ono and Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
They go to school and paint and play music and
computer games. They work out and act out and
worry about what to wear and how to balance
schoolwork with life. Meet Ori, Adi and the
cyberathletes…
Adi Ben Meir (15) is a gymnast, an
artist, a musician and a
photographer – and that’s before she
gets to her homework! She attends
the Jerusalem School for the Arts
where she studies both fine arts and
music. In addition, she takes bass
lessons, belongs to the Jazz Big Band
and practises gymnastics for 4 and a
half hours a week! She admits that
all of the above doesn’t leave much
time for school work, but somehow
she gets it done and is even a
straight-A student. She says, “If you
really like something go for it! Don’t
let anything stop you. You never
know where it will take you. And
don’t be afraid to stand out.” Adi
was born to American parents who
came to live in Israel when she was
one year old. “I like going back to
the US to visit,” she says, “but I am
glad that I live in Israel and have my
friends, my school and my life here.”
Ori Segal, 18, could
paint before he could
walk. Art is his preferred
means of self-expression.
A licensed driver, Ori is
used to being pulled
over by the police for
suspected driving
underage. Because in
addition to being born
an artist, Ori was born
with a rare metabolic
disorder called glycogen
storage disease type 1-A,
in which the liver lacks the proper enzyme
to break down sugar, which prevents the
release of energy into the blood. Side
effects of the disease include delayed
growth, and that’s why Ori looks much
younger than he is. “I like to do big things
because I am so little,” he says. “That’s why
I paint big, big paintings.” Ori also paints
big animals – his favorite subjects are
rhinos, hippos, elephants and dinosaurs, and his
favorite mythological animal is the minotaur.
“I try not to let the disease interrupt my life,” says Ori,
whose motto is, “Don’t worry. Be Ori.”
Student reporters receive a letter of recommendation
from Jewish National Fund and The Jerusalem Post.
3
Spring 2006
If you would like to be a student reporter for iM: Israel Messenger, please send
a writing sample (not more than 500 words) to nwoldin@jnf.org.
Israel Messenger
Dan Goldshmidt is a 19-year-old Israeli who enjoys
ping-pong and squash. He’s a talented guitarist and
something of a world history buff. In addition, this
unassuming young man is Israel’s top gamer. So
naturally the Tel Aviv native was a key cyberathlete on
the e-Srael Gaming Team that took 16th place out of
64 teams at the Cyberathlete
Professional League Winter
Championships in Dallas, Texas,
earlier this year. “It was really
amazing, it was overwhelming,”
says Goldshmidt of Dallas,
adding that Israel’s previous
team “was the most successful
team in Israeli history. We won
five championships in a row,
eight total.” That version of the
team was forced to disband
when some of the players were
drafted into the Israel Defense
Forces (IDF). The same fate awaits
the current team, as in the near future Goldshmidt and
other members are due to join the IDF. But Israel’s top
gamer is confident that the next generation will
continue e-Srael Gaming’s steady climb to the top.
Connect
Getting to know u
Tikkun Olam
Twenty-five college students from
campuses across the United States
chose Tikkun Olam over fun in the sun
for their spring break. They returned
home re-charged, brimming with that
special energy that you
only get when you give.
Rebecca Kahn was there.
Tikkun Olam is the Jewish
concept of Repairing the World.
It encompasses both our outer
and inner worlds, referring to
service to society by helping
those in need and service to the
Divine by liberating the spark
within. The phrase was used by
Isaac Luria, the renowned
16th-century Kabbalist.
My Alternative Spring Break
Dear iM,
On Thursday, March 9, 2006, 25 American college
students met at Newark Airport to begin a 10-day spring
break in Israel. Unlike many of our peers, we chose not to
visit Cancun, the Bahamas or other sunny, relaxing
locations. Neither did we join trips to storm-struck areas
like New Orleans and Biloxi. Instead, we selected Jewish
National Fund’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) – 10 days
working in Israel, side-by-side with Israelis, helping to
develop the Negev and doing other acts of Tikkun Olam.
Israel Messenger
Just before Purim we left Kibbutz Lotan and went north to the
Sde Boker region of the Negev. Now that we were experienced
builders, we cemented a new central square, built a rock wall
and did weeding and cleaning outdoors. Then the fun began,
as, washed and changed, we listened to the megilla, enjoyed a
BBQ and danced to the music of a great Israeli DJ. The
following morning we joined students from Ayalim, running
booths and painting the faces of the local kids at a Purim
carnival in the development town of Sderot.
Spring 2006
4
We arrived in Israel in time for Shabbat at Kibbutz
Lotan, located in the southern Arava (just north of
Eilat), about one mile from the Jordanian border. We
spent Shabbat getting to know each other and then
the real work began. Over the next two days we had a
crash course in recycling/composting and
alternative/natural construction as we helped to build
the kibbutz’s ecological park and bird reserve.
Our final days in the country
were spent in Tel Aviv and
Jerusalem. We even had time for
shopping in the Carmel market
and on the Nachalat Binyamin
walkway, as well as relaxing on
Shabbat in Jerusalem. Following
a karaoke evening we spent a
morning working and planting
trees in JNF forests. On our last
afternoon we visited young
patients at Schneiders
Children’s Hospital in Petach
Tikva and tried to lift their
spirits. We were there for them,
but every one of their smiles
was like a gift for us.
IDF
Soldier stars
Young Israeli celebrities juggle stardom
with army service.
By Jenny Hazan
hat if Kelly Clarkson or
Britney Spears had to
temporarily retire from
concert tours to do a tour
of duty in the army? What
if the Backstreet Boys were
asked to drop their
microphones and pick up
guns instead? This is
precisely the choice that
young pop icons face – in
Israel.
Agam
Rodberg:
“Being in
the army
is holding
me back.”
Roni Duani was
dubbed “Roni
Superstar” early in
her career, after
the success of
Superstar,
her first hit
song. She
captured the
spotlight in 2003
with her debut album,
became a leading force on Israel’s
pop charts, and then was inducted
into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) a
year ago. “The truth is that everybody
has a choice, and lots of ‘regular’
teenagers choose not to go. But for
me, that wasn't an option,” says Duani.
“Everyone in my family went to the
army. It was important to me. I wanted
to see what it was like. I wanted to
learn more about myself, about society,
and to learn my place in it.”
Shai Gabso served in a
combat unit until TV
fame granted him a
cushier role in the IDF.
According to Bar-Ilan University Professor of
Mass Communications Dr. Sam LehmanWilzig, army attendance is so valued in
Israeli society that opting to avoid the draft
can often be more damaging to an Israeli
pop star’s career than taking the time off to
serve. “Serving in the army is still
considered an obligation among the
majority of the Israeli population,” says
Lehman-Wilzig. “Choosing not to serve can
turn off a good part of the general public,
so if a young celebrity would like to
maintain his popularity, opting to serve is
an advisable thing to do.”
There are rare exceptions, notes LehmanWilzig, naming singer and social rebel Aviv
Gefen as an example of a celebrity who
avoided the army without having to pay
the social consequences. “His avoidance of
the army was in line with his rebellious,
anti-establishment, artistic persona.”
“Going to the army is part of being an 18year-old in Israel” says Shai Gabso, who
took third place on Israel’s musical reality
TV series A Star is Born – the Israeli
equivalent of American Idol – and became
an instant teen sensation. “For all soldiers,
there is always the option to leave the
army. But it comes at a price – a price I was
not willing to pay,” he says.
The same is true for actress, singer and
fashion model Agam Rodberg, who joined
the army last year. “I am a citizen of Israel
and this is my duty,” says Rodberg.
But there are still obstacles. For instance,
when Rodberg landed the lead role in a
local movie, she couldn’t obtain leave and
had to postpone shooting for a few weeks.
“Being in the army is holding me back in
my career,” says Rodberg.
“When I am in the army, I feel like a soldier,
not a superstar,” says Duani, while
admitting that her IDF colleagues still ask
for her autograph now and then. “The best
part of being a soldier is that I am free to
act like myself. I don't have to perform all
the time. Being a soldier keeps my feet on
the ground. It helps me remember where I
come from.”
Gabso echoes similar sentiments. “The
army gives you the chance to continue
your life the way it was ‘meant’ to be.”
(Courtesy of Israel21c/ www.israel21c.org)
5
Spring 2006
Roni Superstar (left and top)
is both serving and singing.
Israel Messenger
It’s no secret that the IDF assigns famous
recruits to cushier units. Rodberg is
serving in the IDF Entertainment
Unit as a performer while Duani is
serving as a spokesperson for the
same unit. And although Gabso
started out in a combat unit –
where he remained
for almost a year –
he was moved to the
Entertainment Unit’s
Air Force band after
winning third place
on A Star is Born.
The IDF also permits celebrity soldiers to
apply for permission to work in a job
outside the army during their compulsory
service. As a result, many famous recruits
are able to continue working on their
careers while also fulfilling their obligation
to serve. Duani had a leave of absence from
the army over Hanukka so she could tour
across the country with a musical show.
8
What’s it Called?
2
5
Fill in the Hebrew names of the numbered parts of the body. Then read down
to discover the name of the holiday celebrated on May 3rd this year.
The Hebrew Tongue
2
5
4
3
1
6
2
7
3
4
1
1
5
10
6
9
7
10
8
10
Israel Messenger
Find the solution to the puzzle at: www.jnf.org/iM
Spring 2006
6
Illustration: Ellie Brickman
9
merica
Culture
Eyes on
Israel’s chart-topping hip hoppers Hadag Nachash (The Snake Fish)
have their eyes on America. They’re in talks to perform at an NBA
game; they’ve just wrapped up an album in California; and they're
getting ready for a third tour across the US.
By Viva Sarah Press
t home, Hadag Nachash sits in the top
spot of local hip hop. They have been
awarded ‘Band of the Year’, ‘Album of
the Year’, and ‘Song of the Year’
honors in Israel. Rolling Stone
Magazine, The New York Times, and
The San Francisco Chronicle, among
others, have all written articles
about them. If you’re talking
status, Hadag Nachash is the Black
Eyed Peas of Israeli hip hop.
They came together in Jerusalem in 1996.
Their blend of hip-hop, funk, jazz,
electronica and rock, combined with a
touch of Middle Eastern beats, quickly
spiraled them to the top of the charts.
As popular for their lyrics as for their funky
music, Hadag Nachash sings socially
conscious hip hop. They sing about the
political state of affairs in the Middle East
and about terrorism. Their songs are about
religious tolerance and acceptance of
the other.
The seven-member band is now gearing up
for a new US tour due to kick off in
California in the spring.
“We think we have what to offer
Americans. Hip hop is big over there.
Musically we can interest the Americans,
we can refresh their ear. There’s something
new and unique to our hip hop that
doesn't exist in the US,” Mar says.
At the end of March, the band was
supposed to perform at an NBA game in
Atlanta. They would have been the first
Israeli music group to do so. The gig was
canceled due to promotional problems, but
the invitation still stands. “We were really
surprised when we were first asked to make
an NBA appearance, and we were really
excited, then when it was canceled we
were really disappointed,” says Mar. “We
hope it will still happen.”
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For more on Hadag Nachash
go to: http://hadag.co.il
7
Spring 2006
Members of the band:
Sha'anan Streett (vocals)
David Klemes (keyboards)
Yaya Cohen-Harounoff (bass)
Shlomi Alon (saxophone, vocals)
Moshe Ashraf (drums)
Mar (turntables, vocals)
and Amir Ben-Ami (guitars)
The band-mates range
in age from 28 to 34.
“Even if people couldn’t understand our
lyrics [which are in Hebrew], they could
understand the groove. I like Arab rap but I
don't understand a word. I like the beat,”
says Mar. “Music is a global thing.”
Mar reveals that the band members are
weighing the option of singing in English.
“We all have a dream to do our music in
English and try and get it out. “
Israel Messenger
Their newest album, Be’ezrat Hajam (Thanks
to the Jam), was recorded at the In The
Pocket Studio, one hour north of San
Francisco in the middle of a forest. “We did
something totally different this time
around. We arrived there with nothing prewritten and simply jammed for 10 straight
days. It was like a dream. We recorded. . .
maybe four or five albums worth
of music,” says Mar,
responsible for turntables
and vocals with the band.
“The hard part was
writing the texts to
match the awesome music.
The new album is eclectic and
mixes a lot of genres. But it all
makes sense and has the same
groovy vibe.”
Hadag Nachash toured North America in
2004 and 2005. They played at Penn State
University, at the Knitting Factory in New
York City, at the El Rey Theater in Los
Angeles, at Club Soda in Montreal, at the
House of Blues in Chicago, as well as in St.
Louis, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Tucson,
Seattle, Washington DC, Los Angeles,
Minneapolis and Toronto.