An innovative educational initiative by The Revolution Orchestra and the Israeli Ministry of Education, launched in the 2024–2025 school year. The program brings together Jewish, Arab, and Druze junior-high students from across Israel, connecting them through language, music, and shared creativity. Throughout the year, students in Hebrew- and Arabic-speaking schools study beloved songs in both languages: Hebrew songs translated into Arabic and Arabic songs translated into Hebrew. They study while exploring the poetry, composers, and cultural backgrounds behind the songs. The classroom process integrates language studies, literature, and music, and culminates in a festive live performance by The Revolution Orchestra where they enjoy the concert and sing-along.
The Revolution Orchestra is joined on stage by more than twenty young musicians from three musical programs: Polyphony Conservatory in Nazareth, the Israel Conservatory of Music Tel Aviv, and the National Youth Wind Orchestra. They rehearse and perform together, fostering excellence, collaboration, and mutual respect through music.
The educational program was inspired by the groundbreaking show I Shall Speak to You – Two Languages. One Love, produced in partnership with Beit Hagefen – The Arab-Jewish Cultural Center in Haifa, and supported by the Pais Council for the Arts, Tel Aviv Municipality, and the Israeli Ministry of Culture.
In the 2024–2025 school year, over 900 students from 29 schools participated in this transformative experience, supported by Isabel Cohen Adler Fund, Partnership Fund, and the Israeli Ministry of Education. The 2025-26 program, expected to address a similar number of youth, is supported by the Partnership Fund, and the Israeli Ministry of Education.
The program creates an inspiring artistic and educational encounter – one that bridges languages, cultures, and generations, and offers a living model for dialogue through art.
Performers
Cconductor – Roy Oppenheim | Piano & narration – Zohar Sharon
Vocals – Nour Darwish, Tamar Shouky, Akram Odeh
The Revolution Orchestra musicians:
Violin – Adi Hlavin, Talia Herzlich, Michael Fabia, Hagar Maoz, Lia Raikhlin, Maya Lee Roman |
Viola – Miri Mansharov, Daniel Tanchelson | Cello – Romi Kopelman |
Double bass – Alon Azizi | Trumpet – Itamar Ben Yakir | Harp – Ada Ragimov | Oud – Yaniv Teichman | Qanun – Ariel Qasis |Nay flute – Lili-Ann Betzalel | Percussion – Tom Mashlanik, Amit Menachem | Drums – Gyuri Politi | Piano – Zohar Sharon
Young Chamber & Leadership Program musicians:
Violin – Nabih Bawardi, Eldar Mamrud, Dana Zoabi, Anton Kasabri, Hala Khafi, Yonatan Dafna, Hanna Bawardi |
Viola – Elias Srour, Kamilia Matar, Yanai Din Nur, Lila Haimovich |
Cello – Butrus Salah, Dana Markovich, Eyal Kaleb Gatsko, Yasmin Kolat |
Clarinet – Maya Markovich | Flute – Ranwa Farah | Piano – Yael Danilovich, Tamar Barkai
The Israeli National Youth Wind Orchestra musicians:
Trumpet – Alon Hamani | Flute – Noa Petel / Hila Ben Shalom | Clarinet – Michal Antman | Trombone: Micha Urbach | David Na’im
Creators
Israeli Ministry of Education, Educational Content Management – Dr. Ziona Levi, Bezalel Kupervaser
Israeli Ministry of Education – Producer – Anat Dor
Artistic Directors of The Revolution Orchestra and the performance “I Shall Speak to You” – Zohar Sharon, Roy Oppenheim
Director, Polyphony Foundation – Nabil Aboud Ashkar
Director, Chamber Music and Leadership Program – Rawan Basharat
Director, Israel Conservatory of Music Tel Aviv – Costin Canlis Olier
Artistic Director, Chamber Music and Leadership Program – Maya Blumenfeld
Conductor and Director, National Youth Wind Orchestra – Alex Fialko
Teaching Staff, Chamber Music and Leadership Program:
Adi Hlavin – violin | Guy Feder – conducting | Nour Darwish – vocals | Tomer Bar-Niv – winds | Talia Herzlich – violin | Zohar Sharon – piano | Roy Oppenheim – conducting
Photos: Sabine Sharon
