Quote from Charles Krauthammer - The Weekly Standard, May 11, 1998

"Israel is the very embodiment of Jewish continuity: It is the only nation on earth that
inhabits the same land, bears the same name, speaks the same language, and
worships the same God that it did 3,000 years ago. You dig the soil and you find pottery
from Davidic times, coins from Bar Kokhba, and 2,000-year-old scrolls written in a script
remarkably like the one that today advertises ice cream at the corner candy store."
The people of Israel (also called the "Jewish People") trace their origin to Abraham, who
established the belief that there is only one God, the creator of the universe (see Torah).
Abraham, his son Yitshak (Isaac), and grandson Jacob (Israel), are referred to as the
patriarchs of the Israelites. All three patriarchs lived in the Land of Canaan, that later
came to be known as the Land of Israel. They and their wives are buried in the Ma'arat
HaMachpela, the Tomb of the Patriarchs, in Hebron (Genesis Chapter 23).
The name Israel derives from the name given to Jacob (Genesis 32:29). His 12 sons
were the kernels of 12 tribes that later developed into the Jewish nation. The name Jew
derives from Yehuda (Judah) one of the 12 sons of Jacob (Reuben, Shimon, Levi,
Yehuda, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Yisachar, Zevulun, Yosef, Binyamin)(Exodus 1:1).
So, the names Israel, Israeli or Jewish refer to people of the same origin.
The descendants of Abraham crystallized into a nation at about 1300 BCE after their
Exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Moses (Moshe in Hebrew). Soon after the
Exodus, Moses transmitted to the people of this new emerging nation, the Torah, and
the Ten Commandments (Exodus Chapter 20). After 40 years in the Sinai desert, Moses
led them to the Land of Israel, that is cited in The Bible as the land promised by G-d to
the descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 17:8).
The people of modern day Israel share the same language and culture shaped by the
Jewish heritage and religion passed through generations starting with the founding
father Abraham (ca. 1800 BCE). Thus, Jews have had continuous presence in the land
of Israel for the past 3,300 years.
The rule of Israelites in the land of Israel starts with the conquests of Joshua (ca. 1250
BCE). The period from 1000-587 BCE is known as the "Period of the Kings". The most
noteworthy kings were King David (1010-970 BCE), who made Jerusalem the Capital of
Israel, and his son Solomon (Shlomo, 970-931 BCE), who built the first Temple in
Jerusalem as prescribed in the Tanach (Old Testament).
In 587 BCE, Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar's army captured Jerusalem, destroyed the
Temple, and exiled the Jews to Babylon (modern day Iraq).
The year 587 BCE marks a turning point in the history of the region. From this year
onwards, the region was ruled or controlled by a succession of superpower empires of
the time in the following order: Babylonian, Persian, Greek Hellenistic, Roman and
Byzantine Empires, Islamic and Christian crusaders, Ottoman Empire, and the British
Empire.
Arab-Israeli wars

A day after the declaration of independence of the State of Israel, armies of five Arab
countries, Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon and Iraq, invaded Israel. This marked the
beginning of the War of Independence. Arab states have jointly waged four full scale
wars against Israel:

1948 War of Independence

1956 Sinai War

1967 Six Day War

1973 Yom Kippur War

Despite the numerical superiority of the Arab armies, Israel defended itself each time
and won. After each war Israeli army withdrew from most of the areas it captured (see
maps). This is unprecedented in World history and shows Israel's willingness to reach
peace even at the risk of fighting for its very existence each time anew.
Note that with Judea and Samaria Israel is only 40 miles wide. Thus, Israel can be
crossed from the Mediterranean coast to the Eastern border at Jordan river within two
hours of driving.
The birthplace of the Jewish people is the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael). There, a significant part of
the nation's long history was enacted, of which the first thousand years are recorded in the Bible;
there, its cultural, religious, and national identity was formed; and there, its physical presence has
been maintained through the centuries, even after the majority was forced into exile. During the
many years of dispersion, the Jewish people never severed nor forgot its bond with the Land. With
the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Jewish independence, lost 2,000 years earlier, was
renewed.
Archeology in Israel involves the systematic investigation of all the remains of the country's past from prehistory to the end of Ottoman rule. The profusion of material remains is evidence of the
many cultures that have left their imprint on the Land.
Above all archeological research clearly reveals the historical link between the Jewish people, the
Bible and the Land of Israel, uncovering the remains of the cultural heritage of the Jewish people in
its homeland. These visible remains, buried in the soil, constitute the physical link between the past,
the present and the future of the Jewish people in its country.
This unbroken chain of history can be observed at sites all over the country. Jerusalem, the capital of
Israel, has been the focus of extensive archeological activity and remains of 5,000 years of history
have been revealed.

In every country and among every people, music attests to national character and national ideals.
The rhythms, harmonies, melodies, and poetry of music relate to and help to define personal
characteristics, social customs and rituals, national religion, as well as national and personal identity.
Most of todays societies have had hundreds or thousands of years to develop a national music;
the State of Israel has had only since 1948 to assert itself as a political, social, and cultural entity in a
fast-moving world. In many ways, the history of Israeli music reflects the broad struggles of that
young country.
The early history of music in Israel was determined by two major forces: the Zionist movement,
whose participants encouraged the creation and dissemination of Israeli folk music; and the
political struggle against Fascism, which led many European-born musicians to flee to the Holy
Land.
Jewish immigrants to Palestine brought with them music of their various host countries. The leaders
of the Zionist movement sought to inspire and unite these new olim (immigrants) with a common
cultural identity. To that end, Zionist musicians composed hundreds of short and simple folk songs
for dissemination among the immigrant communities and among Jews abroad. The songs lyrics
spoke of the experience of living in the Holy Land, from stories about the agricultural cycle to

lullabies to stories of love. Their musical qualities combined the sounds of European music with
hallmarks of the exotic minor modes, the Yemenite trill, and Arabic instruments. Many of these
songs are still sung today throughout the Jewish community; among the most well-known is the love
song Erev Shel Shoshanim (Evening of Lillies).
The folk tradition dovetailed into a new form of national popular music, represented above all
byNaomi Shemer. From the 1960s to the 1980s, Shemer sang of the uniqueness of the land of
Israel. Her song Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold)composed just before the Six
Day War of 1967spoke of Jews longing for Jerusalem. After Jerusalems unification, Shemer
famously modified the lyrics to reflect Israels accomplishments in the war.

Musical Instruments of the Middle East

The Land of Israel, cradle of the three monotheistic religions, has always been the
cultural meeting point of the Middle East, and especially in the realm of music, one of
humanitys most important art forms. Music is a spiritual art that exists in the dimension
of time as it is sung or played.
Many instruments are mentioned in our Book of Books, the Bible, as is the effect music
has on people, as expressed in Samuel I 16, 23: Whenever the evil spirit of God came
upon Saul, David would take the lyre and play it; Saul would find relief and feel better,
and the evil spirit would leave him. When David played the lyre, Sauls mood improved.
An entire symphonic orchestral ensemble is alluded to in the Book of Daniel 3, 5-6.
Western music drew most of its instruments from Eastern culture, developing and
enhancing them to suit its needs.
Musical instruments faithfully represent different cultures and the music and technology
of the societies in which they were created.
Zurna and Oboe
The zurna is a customary wind instrument among Kurds and Iraqis, and there are
similar instruments in Bulgaria and China. Zurna players developed a long winded
technique in which they play for an extended period without stopping to take a breath.
The Western oboe is similar to the zurna, and some Western oboe players have also
mastered this technique. Both instruments have a double reed that vibrates when
played. The zurna, which may be found in Israel among Kurdish Jews, is usually
accompanied by a large drum that hangs on the drummers body as he stands in the
center of a circle of dancers. The combination of a wind instrument and a drum was also
popular in Western culture during the Middle Ages and it continues to be so today in
various types of European folk music.
Violin and Rabbaba
These two instruments represent very different worlds, although similar in construction:
both have a sound box, strings and a bow. The violin is a central instrument in Western
music. The secret formula to its construction in the 17th and early 18th centuries was
lost, but instruments from that period remain. The Western violin worked its way into
Middle Eastern music as well, and is now considered one of its leading instruments. The
Rabbaba is very popular among nomadic Arab tribes and Bedouin tribes living in Israel,
and accompanies the telling of ancient stories of love and heroism.

Qanun and Piano

The qanun has 50-100 strings and is popular from India to northwest Africa. It is
very commonly used in Turkish music and came to Egypt through Turkish
influence. The qanun, which is considered to be a precursor to the Western piano,
is incorporated into modern Arab music and is considered, along with the oud, to
be a focal instrument. The piano reached its peak in Western music in the early
18th century and in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Oud and Guitar
The guitar is very common in Western folk and artistic music. There are many
different types of guitars and the number of strings varies, although six strings
are customary. This instrument is known by many names and has been a part of
Western culture since the Middle Ages. The guitar may be played polyphonically.
The oud is the most typical Arab instrument, but its origins are unclear. In most
cases it has five strings and in ancient times was played with an eagle feather.
Today a pick is used. The oud is monophonic. Arab music theoreticians used the
oud to explain their music.

Violin

History
-Descendant of the viol, an instrument of 15th century Spain
-Jews contributed to the development of violin in Italy.
-Emergence of violin coincides with Jewish migration from Spain to Italy.
Why are Jews so fond of the violin?
-Violin prevalent in media that attempts to represent the Jewish culture
-Schindlers List theme employs solo violin
-The Fiddler on the Roof represents the precariousness of Jewish society
-Versatile, intense, passionate instrument that expresses Jewish emotions
and experience
-Ticket into the big city-Violin linked to Hope because of the many
possibilities for an orchestra job in the city.
-Like Asians and pianos, most young Jews had to take up the violin or lose
to the kid next door
How is the Arabic violin different from its European counterpart?
-Called kaman in Arabic
-Adopted from Europe during second half of 19th century
-Suited for maqam, due to its lack of frets
-Moroccans play gamba style, placing the violin on their laps
-Tuned in fourths and fifths (GDGD), played in ornate style, can sound
nasal and penetrating
Who are some famous Jewish Violinists?
-Miri Ben-Ari, hip-hop
-Itzhak Perlman and Isaac Stern, classical
Oud

History
Originate from another Persian instrument called the barbat, dating back
to the Sassanid (Persian) empire in 224 A.D.
Spread to Andalusia, or present day Spain most likely through Islamic
conquests
1492 Spanish Inquisition resulting in European adaptation of the lute and
the exile of Jews from Spain to Northern Africa and the Middle East.
the ud was considered the king of musical instruments in the Arab world
- versatility, popularity
can be played in two distinctive styles: Ottoman and Egyptian
Al-Farid Egyptian style: http://www.mikeouds.com/audio/farido1.mp3
Yair Dalal Ottoman style
Symbolism
known for its calming, healing, and meditative properties
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwl9QJWq-2o&feature=youtu.be&t=1m6s
symbol of tranquility: the ud invigorates the bodyIt calms and revives
hearts (Grove)
structure of harmonious proportions
Yair Dalal
representing Israel and Middle Eastern cultures, fusing them through
music
peace activist between the two cultures
Opinion: use of the ud as a symbol of peace
Ud in Shaping Israeli History
Erza Aharon: ud player and singer who immigrated to Jerusalem in 1934
- created a small radio program called Sounds of the East
- wished to provide the Arabic music with a new national Jewish style,
encompassing Hebrew texts, western instruments, and harmonization
(Hirshberg 198-199)
Early Hebrew songs were translated from Arabic, ud suitable to back up
singing
Shofar

History
only Jewish liturgical instrument that survived the destruction of the
Second Temple of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE.
made out of a rams horn
Symbolism
Ties to the Binding of Isaac
- (From Genesis 22) Story of a ram sacrificed in place of Isaac, son of
Abraham
Mount Sinai
- (From Exodus 16) Story of when God descended and gave Moses the ten
commandments.
Played during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Sounding of War

 tekiah: broken interrupted sound

shevarim: three triplet blasts, like three shorter tekiah
terual: nine staccato short notes
tekiah gedolah: held as long as possible
Qanun

History
-Descendant of the Egyptian harp, dating back to the 10th century
-Means law, rule, or norm in Arabic and establishes the law of pitch for
other instruments and singers
-Meant to play in Maqamat (Arabic mode)
Symbolism
-Concertino for Kanun (Qanun), English Horn, Clarinet, Strings and
Percussion, Op. 292 (1959) is written by famous Jewish composer Marc
Lavry for Iraqi qanun player Avraham David Cohen, who immigrated to
Israel in 1949. The piece uses Western harmony but features a traditional
Arabic instrument
-Represents the Jewish craft of creative improvisation and absorption of
different styles, as the wandering klezmer ensembles did in Europe.
Ali Amr
-Grew up amid war in Ramallah, Palestine (just north of Jerusalem),
overcame many logistical difficulties just to attend Berklee College of Music
in America
-Music was my support through it all. I was really influenced by war to
create music, and by music to fight against warMusic is peace.
-Composes his own music, fusing Arabic elements with jazz
-Also a vocalist, singing in traditional style