HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir

Before HaZamir, I had no connection to Jewish identity. After standing with 400 other Jewish singers on stage at the MET, I felt something I've never felt before. #jewishpride

— Ran, HaZamir HaSharon

The Story
Behind the Song

"The Story Behind the Song," by videographer and Zamir Choral Foundation board member Elena Lefkowitz, highlights the power of HaZamir through one song: "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav," from Mati and Vivian Lazar's first encounter with the song in 1967, to HaZamir's 2017 performance at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Never have I felt so much pride and joy while singing these powerful words at Festival and on stage.

— Keren, HaZamir Baltimore

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The Story of the Songs

Many of the stories submitted to us didn’t make it into the book due to space limitations. In the coming weeks, we will publish all the stories that we received.

"The story begins at my first Festival, four years ago, on Friday night. I decided to go to the Egalitarian Minyan with my friend Leora Lupkin, and from that moment both of us have kept contact for four years! Thanks to HaZamir, I met so many friends with whom I’m speaking daily."

Elihay Skital | HaZamir Ashkelon

@hazamir.international
The official Instagram of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir

Alumni Spotlight

Cayla Kahn

HaZamir Boca Raton, Class of ‘18

I first joined HaZamir to work on my musical abilities and have a chance to make additional Jewish friends. As time went on, I became more interested in learning about my own Jewish identity. Throughout the retreats and leadership activities, I formed new friendships with Israelis and Americans from different denominations of Judaism. I became more confident in my leadership capabilities and began reading books about Judaism and learning Hebrew. HaZamir has inspired me to add a Jewish Studies minor to my major of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Florida Atlantic University and to become active in Hillel, participating in Israeli American Council and AIPAC conferences and educational fellowships. HaZamir was an extraordinary experience that awoke my appreciation and passion in Judaism and Jewish choral music, and I do not know where I would be without it.