25,000 people of all ages are expected to attend the upcoming 20th Annual Israel Day Concert in Central Park.
The Carl Freyer z"l Tribute and Dr. Manfred Lehmann Memorial event will be held at Central Park's Bandshell (enter at 5th Ave. & 72nd St.) on Sunday, June 2nd, the 46th anniversary of the miracle of the Six Day War and the reunification of Jerusalem, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.
Long time organizer Dr. Joseph Frager and Dr. Paul and Drora Brody, chairpersons for the past 8 years, have announced the concert's themes as:
- Israel and Jerusalem: Ours, united, forever, never to be divided again
- No further concessions of any part of the Land of Israel
- Stopping Iran NOW!
The concert, which effectively is the largest rally of its kind in North America, is sponsored by the Israel Concert-In-The-Park Committee, associated with Young Israel Chovevei Zion and the National Council of Young Israel. It will pay special tribute again this year to Carl Freyer z”l. Carl, together with his wife Sylvia, founded the concert in response to a call by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi of Efrat, to mount some form of protest to the notorious 1993 Oslo Accords.
Freyer was a leader of the Nationalist camp and a supporter of numerous causes for many years, impacting every aspect of Jewish life in America and Israel. He and his wife were founders of Arutz Sheva and the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP). The concert/rally also salutes noted Jewish activists and philanthropists Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann z”l, who was the event's first chairman, and Rose and Reuben Mattus z”l, of Haagen-Dazs fame.
Guest speakers this year will be the Israel’s Deputy Defense Minister MK Danny Danon, as well as Ambassador John Bolton, an expert on the situation in Iran, and a staunch supporter of Israel. Special appearances will be made by leading political and religious leader, and by Jewish activists, focusing on the event's all important themes.
Exciting performers include a burst of musical and singing talent. The headliners are LIPA!, the masterful singer and showman, and EDON, who proudly wore his kippah as he achieved semi-finalist status on "America's Got Talent", a nationally televised contest, viewed worldwide.
Elron Zabatani, of Jerusalem's Old City, will be accompanied by Shlomi Aharoni, directly from Israel, who is an alumnus of the Rabbinical IDF Orchestra & Choir. Jerry Markovitz, Sandy Shmuely and Dr. Meyer Abittan are very talented seasoned veterans who will be performing as well.
The winner of the "Jewish Star" contest, Choni G from Johannesburg, South Africa, will make his debut in Central Park. The Junior Division winner of the "Jewish Star", Dovid Moskovits, will be performing again this year. Chaim Kiss, Izzy Kieffer and Heshy R. are all past performers at the Israel Day Concert who will be returning to join the festivities. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the incomparable Shloime Dachs Orchestra & Singers. Aveinu Shebashamayim and the theme from Exodus will be rendered by cardiologist Dr. Meyer Abittan.
The multi-talented, long-time producer and director, Zvika Bornstein, will be the musical producer of the event. The renowned Nachum Segal will again emcee.
Delicious, strictly kosher food and drinks will be available, supplied by Mendys. The organizers ask that you bring your ruach (spirit), determination and Jewish pride, together with your family and your friends, to this massive concert/rally, so our voices will be heard around the world.
Early arrival is advised as there will be added security checks. For security reasons, no large backpacks or bags will be allowed into the concert. Photo ID is required for entry. Admission is free.
Anyone interested in joining the SPONSOR/VIP LIST, contact 917-650-5623 immediately. For more information, go to www.IsraelDayConcert.com