Tofaah's Jerusalem Song:
Aye Yerushalayim
Jerusalem song ...
Some of the best contemporary songs of the Holy City are those of Tofaah, a unique Israeli band.
My favorite Jerusalem song, Jerusalem Awakenings, and several other close runners-up, like Aye Yerushalayim and Crossroads – are by Tofa’ah – an all-women rock/jazz band based right here, in Jerusalem.
Tofa’ah (which means Phenomenon in Hebrew) is a unique band in many ways. When the group got together over 25 years ago, it decided to adhere strictly to Jewish religious laws of kol isha, and thus perform only for female audiences.
Did this self-imposed restriction limit the band? Not on your life – they’ve been performing to sold-out, standing-room only crowds all over Israel and the U.S. for more than two decades.
As if that isn’t unique enough, since Tofa’ah’s mission is to spread light, joy and unity in a fractious land, they make it a point to perform for audiences across the entire religious and political spectrum, with ardent fans that are as likely to be Ultra-Orthodox teachers as left-wing women’s rights activists, all of them united in Jerusalem song.
The band's roaring success doesn't only benefit the musicians - all the band members play for free. All the band's profits go to its non-profit organization, Tof Miriam, which supports and encourages women in the arts.
Whether they’re rockin’ at Israel’s largest concert hall or playing in the prisons, Tofa’ah’s impeccable musicianship is always accompanied by a bit of crazy, fun whimsy that’s bound to make you smile and let loose yourself. As you'll see ...
Here’s a video of the band having a bit of fun at the Haas Promenade in Jerusalem. The song – Aye Yerushalayim – simply celebrates their love of the holy city.
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