It was part Weezer, part "Hatikvah," and all for fun.

Inspired by Fox Television's "American Idol" and its Israeli counterpart, "A Star is Born," the Pensacola Jewish Federation event combined Jewish, American and Israeli cultures.

"It's just for fun," said show originator Erez Shilon, a volunteer Israeli emissary working with the Jewish Agency for Israel. "We want to have everyone together and share a little culture."

Shilon, 22, who has been in Pensacola for the past six months, has worked with the mostly child artists since December on the show. Shilon works to share Israeli and Jewish culture with the Jewish community in the Pensacola Bay Area, and often visits Christian churches to talk about Israel.

Erica Bernstein tap-danced into the judges' hearts for first place and a $200 gift certificate.

"She was amazing, irresistible -- and very, very cute," Shilon said.

Erica was followed in second place by Gabe Friedman, who sang "Under the Sea," with a Hebrew chorus translation by Shilon. Seth Friedman sang "Song for Peace" in Hebrew to finish in third place.

There were plenty of crowd-pleasers as the artists showed their talents.

Azean Robinetti, 15, said he was inspired by Jimi Hendrix playing the "Star Spangled Banner" when he plugged his guitar into the amplifier to perform an electric "Hatikvah," the uplifting Israeli national anthem.

Ali Sontag gave the song a reprise on the piano, and Sam Wein lip-synched to rockers Weezer.

Eight-year-old Hallie Friedman said she was nervous as she stepped on stage, but the crowd soon stomped and clapped as she strutted to the high-energy Israeli dance song, "La Zuz," which means, "To Move."

Hallie worked on the moves for three weeks, helped by her aunt. The crowd bopped their heads and clapped in approval.

The Cordova Park third-grader shrugged to end the dance as the crowd roared. She stepped off stage and sat with her older brother Seth, earning the biggest prize of all, a kiss on her cheek from her brother, Gabe.

Copyright © 1997-2006 the Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola Florida