Jeurovision 2010: Supporting Scandinavian Jews
Hundreds of World Bnei Akiva youth from 10 countries, together with Jewish leaders from Israel and Europe, salute Jewish communities in 11th annual song contest in Stockholm
Even though lasts year's wining song was from the French delegation, World Bnei Akiva's 'Jewish Eurovision' song contest will take place this weekend in Stockholm, Sweden in cooperation with the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist organization.
World Bnei Akiva officials decided to salute the Jewish communities of Scandinavia, and hold this year's mega event in Scandinavia as result to the growing local anti-Semitism and anti-Israel rallies.
World Bnei Akiva's annual Jeurovision Song takes place every year in a different European city. Last year's contest took place in Brussels, Belgium, while the French delegation received the highest score from the international juries. Even though the "Shema Koleinu" song from France won the first place, Bnei Akiva's world office and European desk decided to produce this year's Jeurovision in Sweden.
These past few years haven’t been easy for the Jewish communities in Scandinavia: Many anti-Semetic attacks accrued, anti Israel rallies took place numerous times and tens of Jewish families from Malmo Sweden decided to move elsewhere.
This upcoming Friday, hundreds of teenagers from across Europe will gather in Stockholm, together with hundreds of Jewish families from across Scandinavia. The contestants, all Bnei Akiva participants will come from 10 countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Italy, Holland, Austria, Germany, Hungary and Belgium. The participants come from various religious and secular backgrounds and feature songs being performed for the first time.
Many key figures from the Jewish and Zionist world will participate in the event; Hagai Marom of the Jewish Agency and previously member of the Israeli parliament, Member of the Swedish parliament Fredrik Malm (m), WZO representatives, Community leaders and Rabbis from across Scandinavia and many more.
In addition to the song festival, Bnei Akiva of Scandinavia is celebrating its 60th year since it was established in the beginning of 1950s. Hundreds of alumni originally from Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway and even Israel will participate in a special weekend reunion in Stockholm, this week.
From 'Israeli Idol' to Jeurovision
Elchai Refoua, known as the “boy with a voice like a bell” – a promising young talent – will represent Israel with the song “Everybody’s Father” in this year's Jeurovision. Elchai, 19, was born in Jerusalem and was a prime contestant on Israel's "A Star is Born" (Israeli Idol) TV show this past year.
“I am thrilled to be appearing at the event. As a former Bnei Akiva member it is the fulfillment of a dream. I have been given the opportunity to travel to new places because of my singing and to bring new life to the young people in the Diaspora from Israel”, says Refoua.
Elchai Refoua will join the Israeli delegation to Sweden as the representative of Israeli song. He will perform a number of songs with artists from various countries and will perform additional songs in Hebrew along with local children, and will also perform the theme song for the contest, which will be released within the next few days to tens of thousands of Bnei Akiva members in Europe and throughout the world.
Upon his return to Israel, Elchai will begin preparing for his army service in the IDF at the Bnei David Premilitary Academy in Eli in the Shomron. He intends to serve in a combat unit. At that time the soldier will march with musical score, he hopes to release his debut album at the beginning of the Jewish year.
World Bnei Akiva's 11th Jeurovision song contest is produced in cooperation with The Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization Hagshama and Religious Affairs Departments, MASA, the Jewish community of Stockholm and JUS.
