To some, the sunflower is a symbol of Israel and its seeds evoke visions of Israeli street life — ubiquitous little paper bags and little shells scattered on sidewalks. Others view the intricate arrangement of seeds in the flower’s center and see a metaphor for life in Israel.
Close together but separate. Different but united. Old and new.
The five members of the Israeli music and jazz ensemble Seeds of Sun, who are referred to as Musical Ambassadors of Israel, reflect that eclectic spirit of Israeli life.
And they will be the featured performers at “Milwaukee Celebrates Israel,” the community’s commemoration of Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day) on Tuesday, May 6, 7:45 p.m., at Congregation Beth Israel.
As true ambassadors, the group’s members come from Israel’s diverse communities and ethnicities. But they met in the United States, where they all studied — three of them at the Berklee College of Music in Boston — and where they are all active in the New York City music scene.
Band founder and flutist Mattan Klein explained in a telephone interview that the group plays “Israeli jazz,” which Klein defines as “Israeli songs with improvised sections and rearranged in jazz style.”
Singer Michal Cohen brings her Yemenite background into the group. (She also leads her own “Yemenite Flavors” ensemble.) Drummer Yuval Lion and bassist Itamar Ziegler “play in many funk and reggae groups.” Pianist Yoav Polachek plays jazz, has been involved in musical theater and has composed for Israeli films and television.
Klein describes his own background as “jazz flutist, but with a lot of world influences.” And yet, when Klein played with musicians here, he was always aware that “Israel is behind me, that I represent my country, culture, family; it is all there.” And that is equally true of the others in Seeds of Sun.
“As people who grew up in Israel, we are able to communicate Israeli culture to Americans, and we feel an obligation to do it,” Klein said. “You can hear Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in our music, can feel the old and the new of Israel.”
And their program in Milwaukee “will showcase Israel’s musical aspects, old and new, liturgical and modern, east and west,” plus items composed by the band members.
Days of remembrance & celebration
Seeds of Sun’s performance will mark the beginning of Yom HaAtzmaut, standing in marked contrast to the community ceremony for Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Remembrance Day, which precedes the concert at 6:30 p.m. and will honor Israel’s disabled veterans.
Featured speaker will be Yoel Sharon, a veteran of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, now a filmmaker and advocate for disabled IDF veterans. Adina Altshull chairs this event.
The Yom HaAtzmaut celebration will conclude with the community celebration at the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC on Wednesday, May 7, 4-8 p.m., chaired by Aaron Geist. It will begin with the Ilan Ramon Walk for Israel, chaired by Jeff Schuster and named in memory of the Israeli who died with the six other astronauts of the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Other features of the celebration include performances by the Rick Aaron Band, the Israeli dance group Family Dance Studio and by Milwaukee Jewish Day School dancers; games and rides for children and adults; a shuk (marketplace) with Israeli products available for purchase; and a food court.
“Milwaukee Celebrates Israel” events are programs of the JCC and the Israel Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Marty Katz is general chair, with Bruce Arbit and Jerry Benjamin as honorary chairs.
Major sponsors are AB Data; the Jewish Community Foundation, MJF’s endowment development program; Dottie and Mert Rotter; Schuster Metals; US Bank; and Wellston Properties. Some 30 other organizations and synagogues are co-sponsors.
Tickets for the Seeds of Sun concert are $12 general admission, $7 for students, $100 for patron tickets (includes two tickets and reserved seating), children 5 and under free. They can be purchased at the JCC, the federation or Beth Israel.
For additional information, contact community shaliach Nir Barkin, 414-390-5705, nirb@milwaukeejewish.org; or JCC community services director Dorene Paley, 414-967-8217, dpaley@jccmilwaukee.org.
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