Relative of David Ben-Gurion becomes 2011 Jewish Idol
Mexican singer Adam Kleinberg, a relative of Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion, won first prize at the 2011 Hallelujah singing competition Thursday night, as local families, seniors and music enthusiasts gathered in Ramat Hasharon’s central square.
Hallelujah, which has been on a 17-year hiatus, returned with a bang as 12 finalists took to the stage with the hope of becoming the next Jewish idol. Thirty contestants from around the world spent three weeks touring, training and competing until the top finalist were selected.
Hallelujah is not just a singing competition. It is a vehicle to foster a connection to Israel and the Hebrew language, with all the participants, aged 16 to 26, burberry outlet singing a Hebrew song of their choice. The winner of the competition will record a duet with an Israeli singer, tour Jewish communities worldwide in order will promote their music and also receive a cash prize of 8,000 dollars.
The evening began with local married celebrity couple Oded Menashe, a former children’s show host, and Eden Harel, a former MTV host, who introduced the competition – and the panel of celebrity judges, hosted by veteran singer Yehoram Gaon.
Gaon made waves earlier this year when he deemed Mediterranean music “rubbish”, critiquing its poor Hebrew lyrics and lack of depth.
“Sometimes I listen to the words and I don’t believe what I am hearing,” a publication of the Ariel University Center’s communications department publication quoted Gaon as saying.
“It’s rubbish that even the devil didn’t create. Dreadful rubbish. There are mistakes in Hebrew; it’s an embarrassment to the intelligentsia. I am hoping for the time when this cursed trend is over,” he added.
Evidently, the Israeli music legend and Israel Prize laureate is more optimistic about the future of Diaspora Jewish music, and he enthusiastically endorsed the international competition.
The Israel Defense Forces band opened the show with a Hallelujah medley, beginning with the Israeli standard “Hallelujah”, segueing into Leonard Cohen’s classic translated into Hebrew and then continuing with an array of Hallelujah-themed songs.
Processing your request, Please wait....
