The Symphony “The Suffering of the Innocents” in a One Time

Moti Elmaliah • Image article The Symphony “The suffering of the innocents” in a one time performance as a present to the city of Jerusalem 140 musicians and 80 chorus singers from Spain and Italy, all members of “The Neocatechumenal Way”, part of the Catholic Church, arrived last week to the city to perform the symphony. The composer of the work, the Spanish artist Kiko Argüello: We strive to strengthen the relationship between Christians and Jews according to the last wishes of Pope John Paul II and remember that the roots of Christianity are in Judaism "Shema Yisrael" Jewish prayer in Hebrew "The suffering of the innocents" symphony was performed wonderfully. The wonderful composition included 220 musicians and singers, who filled the stage, and performed it in a contemporary, precise approach. One could not ignore the refined color given to the piece by the harmonic choir singing movingly and the surprising ensemble of acoustic guitars incorporated into the orchestra, a rare thing to see in symphony ensembles of this kind. As an encore, the members of the orchestra moved the audience when they played a part of the piece and “I wanted to remind the choir sang in Hebrew the prayer "Shema Yisrael" to which many of the people in the audience joined. About 600 people filled the theater hall and enjoyed the concert. The symphonic everyone that inside the orchestra playing “The suffering of the innocents” in Gerard Bechar human heart, hope is always The event was graced by the presence of Deputy preserved”. Kiko Argüello Mayor Naomi Tsur and Deputy Mayor Pepe Alalu.Tsur congratulated on stage Argüello and Last Wednesday, a special concert for is the initiator of "The Neocatechumenal Way", the members of "The Neocatechumenal Way" Hanukkah was held in Gerard Bechar which he founded together with the Spanish for their initiative and present to Jerusalem. She Center in the city. The symphony "The suffering chemist and theologian Carmen Hernández. added that this act contributes to the promotion of of the innocents", composed by the Spanish artist Argüello moved the audience with his speech. good and strong ties between Jews and Christians. Kiko Argüello, arrived in Jerusalem for a one time "Good evening, my name is Kiko Argüello, I'm Rabbi David Rosen, director of the American performance. The event was organized by the a believing Christian and a Spaniard", he said. "I Jewish Committee's Department of Interreligious Catholic Church’s "The Neocatechumenal Way" introduce myself this way in front of a mostly also spoke. He commended the activity of the and by members of the international center Jewish crowd because I believe this is the way members of "The Neocatechumenal Way" and "Domus Galilaeae" (Latin for "The house of to open a dialogue between our religions". "Domus Galilaeae" in Galilee"), a presbyters formation center, located Argüello explained that the members of "The Israel, as contributing to on the Mount of Beatitudes in the Galilee. Neocatechumenal Way" work to strengthen the relationship between The symphony, which was previously performed the relationship between the Christian and the the religions. He added that on stages in Rome, Paris, Düsseldorf and Jewish worlds. "We act according to the last this is very important after Madrid, and soon will be performed on the stage wishes of Pope John Paul II", he said. "We centuries of persecution of the New York City Metropolitan, was played remember that the roots of Christianity are of Jews in the Diaspora. in the capital of Israel as a Hanukkah present in Judaism, and that since the beginning, God Rabbi Rosen also recited the from the members of "The Neocatechumenal made Israel the chosen people". Commended the prayer "El Male Rahamim" Way" to the Jewish people and to the residents Argüello related that he compose the musical activity. Rabbi David Rosen in memory of the of the city. 140 musicians and 80 chorus singers work played that evening as he looked for a Holocaust victims which all members of "The Neocatechumenal Way", way to express the sufferings of the innocent were commemorated by the piece played that night. from Spain and Italy, arrived to Israel especially all around the world. "I have seen great Other personalities who honored the event with for the event. The entrance to the performance suffering in the world", he said. "I have seen their presence were Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein, was free, and about 600 people filled the theater homeless people lying in the streets. I have conductor and composer Eli Jaffe, Raphael Ben- hall and enjoyed the concert. seen abandoned children in orphanages. I have Hur, pilgrimage tourism expert and consultant to met sick people abandoned because of their Christian denominations in Israel, director general “I have seen illness", he conveyed. "In approaching this of the Chief Rabbinate, Oded Wiener, the Spanish great suffering in the world” subject, I have realized the magnitude of the vice-consul Javier Bodieres, Chairman of the disaster that the Jewish people experienced in community center of Talpoit East Yehuda Ben- In the event’s opening speech, Fr. Rino Rossi, the Holocaust". the head of the international center "Domus Yoseph, Gilad Wittenberg executive director of Argüello added: "Some say that after the Saltiel Community Center, Deputy Political Advisor Galilaeae" said he was pleased that the symphony horrors of Auschwitz it is not possible to was taking place in Jerusalem and that he for International Affairs to the Mayor Elad Halevi, continue believing in god. That is not true! member of the directorate of the community center believes that events of this kind contribute to God created man, and in his mercy helps us to the strengthening of the relationship between carry the suffering. In spite of the horrors that Darom, Hila Lipnik, and more. Christians and Jews. Then he introduced Kiko we witness throughout history, in this piece I Moti Elmaliah Argüello, the composer of the symphony. wanted to remind everyone that inside the Public Relations & Media Consultant Argüello, a painter and multi-disciplinary artist, human heart, hope is always preserved". 052-2875706 • [email protected].

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