Koolulam is back – and this time, their mission takes on a profound significance as they advocate for the return of hundreds of abducted civilians held in Gaza by Hamas. It’s not just a song; it’s a heartfelt plea, and perhaps their most important endeavor yet.
With the help of the hostages’ family members, Koolulam’s new video brings new meaning to the lyrics of “Like A Prayer”, originally by Madonna.
But the cry to #BringThemHomeNow is far more than an Israeli slogan. Concerned citizens from around the world wanted to take part as well. Koolulam put out a call for choirs worldwide to sing along, and groups from more than 100 locations eagerly lent their voices to the project.
The final heartbreaking video combines scenes of the hostages, their families, and participants from around the globe.
“And it feels like home”
The song for this project was chosen by Tamar Forti, who lost her brother, Nir at the Nova dance party. As a fan of Madonna, she found comfort in this song’s lyrics and asked Koolulam leaders to use it to raise awareness for the hostage situation.
The special video was produced in collaboration with The Cameri Theatre of Tel Aviv and the families of the abducted and missing, as a forum to raise awareness for the hostage situation worldwide.
The following choir conductors participated in the project:
Galit Shear – London, England
Tamara Samuel – Sydney, Australia
Kenneth Birnbaum (SAR High School), Naomi Cohen & Adena Korn (Abraham Joshua Heschel School), Daniel Henkin (Ramaz Upper School) – New York City
Alasdair Ong – Hong Kong
Carey White – USA/New Jersey
Escuela Olami ort Mexico (teacher Donna Rotblatt) – Mexico City
Lisa Jacobson – Ashwood Victoria – Australia
Reesa Pawer – Canada\Richmond
Beny Zekhry – Brazil
Justin Kett/Sacks Morasha Jewish Primary School – London, United Kingdom
Dor Magen Kiryat Tivâon – Israel
Cantor David Rosen – Toronto, Canada
Jessica Alterman – Argentina
Oren Kaunfer – USA
Kayla Sawoski – Los Angeles, CA United States
Anthea Canes – Los Angeles
Corey Fooks – Australia, Melbourne
Kristian Summerer – USA/Doylestown
Clive Noble – Haifa, ISRAEL
Radim Raszka – Family Gospel Ostrava Czech Republic/Ostrava
Maria Haegele – Germany. Bochum
Laura Wolfson – Canada/Oakville
Buki Silber – USA/New
Melissa Valverde – Costa Rica
Paula Baruch – Canada, Hamilton, Ontario
MartÃn Nisnevich – Argentina – Buenos Aires
Tzameret Ben David – Silicon Valley, California
David Niego – Bruxelles
IVOR JOFFE – CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Liyu Lu – Western Galilee. Israel
Alain Picard – Switzerland
Marcela Obermeister Shasha – Amsterdam The Netherlands
Adi Gafni – Portugal, Lisbon
Mindy Escobar – Leanse – El Paso, TX USA
Dela Huettner – Switzerland/Zurich
Tamar Pinto – Washington DC
Leah Peer Denver Colorado, USA
Cantor Judy Adelman Gershon – Toronto Canada
Brian Scott Maui, Hawaii
Naama Perel – Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Marcela Obermeister – Netherlands
Jack Leopold – Waterville, Maine Jewish community of Uruguay
Jack Leopold – Waterville, Maine, USA
Liyu Lu – Chinese Community. China
Jonathan Shapiro – Connecticut, USA
Nisa Felps – Baltimore, Maryland, USA