Three days after performing at a reggae festival in Spain that had previously disinvited him, Matisyahu brought his music to a synagogue near the gates of Auschwitz.
The American singer gave an intimate acoustic concert the evening of Aug. 25 in the tiny Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot synagogue in Oswiecim, the town in southern Poland where Auschwitz was built.
“Played in the last remaining synagogue outside of Auschwitz in the city OÅ›wiÄ™cim. Peace and blessings,” Matisyahu wrote on his Facebook page. He also quoted a line from his song “Jerusalem,” writing, “The gas tried to choke but it couldn’t choke me.”
On Aug. 22, he sang “Jerusalem” during a 45-minute set in front of thousands at the Rototom Sunsplash festival in Spain. His appearance drew hecklers and protesters who waved Palestinian flags. Some in the audience chanted “out, out” when he took to the stage, while many others applauded him.
Later he posted on his Facebook page: “Tonight was difficult but special. Thank you to everyone who made it possible! Every chance to make music is a blessing.”
Festival organizers had canceled his appearance under pressure from local activists in the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement after Matisyahu ignored requests that he issue a statement declaring his support for Palestinian statehood. The festival’s move sparked condemnation from Jewish organizations, the government of Spain and Matisyahu himself.
The Jewish singer has performed previously in Poland, including at the Oswiecim Life Festival, aimed at using art and music to promote tolerance. Matisyahu is performing several concerts in Poland during his current tour, including in Gdansk, Wroclaw and Warsaw, where he is appearing in a free outdoor concert on Aug. 30 as part of Singer’s Warsaw, an annual festival celebrating Jewish culture. — jta