Where does an Israeli go to become a singing sensation?
Music school?
A recording studio?
Tel Aviv, to find an agent?
No, no and no.
Actually, an aspiring Israeli singer might consider making his or her start in the Israel Defense Force. It’s where several of Israel’s best-known groups formed.
“Everyone that wanted to have a musical career knew that almost the only way to succeed is to join [the army’s] singing groups,” said Israeli-born Nitzan Aviv, emissary at the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay and director of the Israel Center.
Since almost all Israelis are required to serve three years in the military, Aviv said, joining the IDF’s musical corps is a way for them not to lose valuable time in developing their careers.
“Most of the well-known singers these days are alumni of these singing groups.”
Some of Israel’s best performers — Zakok and Berci, the Hadera Dance Troupe and Amir and Ron — will be part of the nonstop entertainment at Sunday’s Virtual Israel Festival. Sponsored by the East Bay federation, the festival will bring Israeli music, dance, crafts, storytelling, food, entertainment and more to Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek for an all-day celebration of “Israel at 50.”
The popular duo of Siony Zakok and Ruben Berci traces its musical roots to the army. Berci was formerly a commander of the Northern Command Entertainment Troop and entertainer during the Six-Day and Yom Kippur wars.
Zakok was also in the Northern Command Entertainment Troop, although not at the same time as Berci. Individually, Zakok has won Israel’s “Grammy” — the Kinor David — and he is internationally known for his songs, “Si Su Et Jerusalem” and “HaKotel.”
The duo’s repertoire ranges from Israeli folk music to reggae. “Usually we’re able to involve the audience, singing and dancing along [with us],” Berci said in a telephone interview from his Los Angeles home.
Still loyal to those who knew him when, Berci just returned from Israel and the Entertainment Troop’s 50th anniversary.
“The top Israeli performers used to be in the troop,” said Berci, adding that musicians came from all over the world for the celebration and to jam. “It was a history of 50 years in four hours. Everyone came to see us.”
According to Aviv, singing groups were added to the army’s musical corps in the 1960s to improve morale. Soon, these groups gained mainstream popularity.
“Joining the army singing groups became the dream of almost every teenager,” Aviv said. “These army groups had a very important role. [They] performed for soldiers that guarded the borders of Israel. Sometimes they traveled for four to five hours in order to perform for one to five soldiers in one of the outposts.”
While the army may not have spawned the 14-member Hadera Dance Troupe, it can take credit for making the group’s international tour possible. Many members of Hadera, Israel’s best-known folk dancing group, started as high school students and are currently in the military. The army gave them leaves to perform their program of Yemenite, Chassidic, Moroccan, Ladino and kibbutz dances around the world in honor of Israel’s 50th anniversary.
As for Israeli-born brothers Amir and Ron, they’re an exception to the rule. They never had the advantage of the Israeli army because their family immigrated to the United States before they reached military age.
So they had to make it on their own.
With a repertoire that spans decades and cultures, they play all kinds of music from Israeli to Spanish to Yiddish and blues to jazz to country. Based in New York, they have performed across the country at points including the White House, Israeli consulate in New York, federations, temples and private parties.
Sunday will be their debut performance in the Bay Area.
So if it’s a career in music you want, consider the Israeli army. But, Aviv warns, it’s not easy to get into the Entertainment Troop. In recent years, the number of singing groups has been reduced, and only the most talented performers make it.
But every teenager can dream.