Live Hatikvah 2009 Aired Successfully
On April 29, at 3:30 PM Eastern Time, JLTV broadcasted its second annual Live Hatikvah program in coordination with Galia Albin in Israel and communities from around the world. Part of the exciting broadcast was last year's popular version of hatikva, sung by popular French singer, Francky Perez.
Everyday I reevaluate the right to live in a democratic Jewish country, but from time to time, I feel the cracks of living in a democracy. I'll give you an example: What about having a million and half Arab Israeli citizens who are torn between their identities and living in a Jewish state and for some of them to try and sympathize with their fellow brothers, who are living in Gaza and experiencing a war. We are all sitting on a ticking time bomb. This certainly trickles down to the Jewish people in Israel, who may feel insecure that it may be unjust to live in a Jewish state, maybe, because there is nothing like it in the world. Now more than ever Jewish People must understand that strengthening the identity of being - first Jewish and second Israeli, is a matter of survival and that this is the torch that needs to be passed on to prevent Anti Semitism world wide. The demonstrations we have seen since the war in Gaza has begun, has ignited the demons of anti Semitism. For eight years, no one demonstrated against the 8,000 rockets fired from Gaza that has landed in Southern Israeli communities. How about how Hamas has used women and children as human shields, building weapons caches in Mosques and schools? How about the hatred being instilled in kids from birth? The fact that Hamas, a guerrilla organization has only brought misery and catastrophe to the citizens of Gaza who have only became victims of their leadership. .
We, Israelis have the right to defend ourselves. The worldwide protests and demonstrations are not really against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but a good excuse for Anti Semitism; not that people hate Israelis, but hate the Jewish State. Countries throughout the world like Georgia, Pakistan or in any conflict zone, all have the right to defend themselves and the world recognizes that. But, Anti Semitism is the true reason why the world woke up when Israel took an initiative to defend itself. Now more than ever the word 'Hatikva' means so much to the Jewish people. We must unite and keep strong. We must not let world opinion scare us and weaken our self confidence, regarding our right to exist in the Jewish land and our right to be proud Jews worldwide. 'Nefesh Yehudi Homeah.'
On May 7, 2008, Israel’s 60th Independence Day, hundreds of individuals and communities around the world congregated to simultaneously sing “Hatikva”' at exactly the same time. The Hatikva initiative, aims to introduce the content and significance of the “Hatikva” to Jews around the world. The wide span of participants was so great, that it made the possibility of a new Guinness world record for "most people singing an anthem simultaneously" category, to be set.
In Israel the following municipalities took part - Beer Sheva, Bet Shemesh, Kibbutz Gaash , Gilo, Jerusalem, Eilat, Ma'ale Adomim, Rosh Ha'ain, Yokneam, Nesher, Sapir, Faaran, Eidan, Ein Yahav, Haifa, Sderot, Kiriat ono, Givaataim, Natanya, Raanana, Rishon Le-zion, Ramat Hasharon, Tikvat Jacob, Mazkeret Batya, Meitar, Herzliya, Holon, Bat – Yam, Rehovot, Ramla, Tel – Aviv. Outside Israel the multiple locations included Argentina, Greece, Mexico, New York, Ukraine, Moscow,
France, Netherlands,
England, San Francisco, Cincinnati, California, Connecticut ,Chicago,
Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Romania,
Hungary, Arizona, Virginia, Southern Peninsula, Philadelphia, Massachusetts, Los Gatos, Los-Angeles, Cupertino, Croatia, Jamaica, Kansas.
Live broadcast!
The Live Hatikva singing was broadcast on: Israel's Channel 2 and the internet.
Live Hatikva memorabilia available!
Want to show everyone your support? get a T-shirt, a cap and many more products with the official Hatikva Logo.
Hatikva around the world – Video
Hatikva singing videos across the world - Find your own community on our website. Want to send your version of Hatikva?