Orot Hashchuna was a singing troupe formed in 1986 by the Renewal Department of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Its members were talented young people (ages 16-22) all residents of Project Renewal neighborhoods. Their first performance at the GA of the Council of Jewish Federations in Chicago was such a success that they were to become Israel's premier ambassadors to Jewish Communities all over the western world. From 1986-1994 they were invited to perform on 15 different tours to Continental Europe, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, South America, Great Britain and Hong Kong. They also became a popular entertainment group for mission groups from abroad performing almost weekly when they were in Israel.
In a Partnership 2000 tribute to Project Renewal's 25th anniversary celebration, you can download and listen to vintage Orot Hashchuna MP3 selections digitally remastered by Yoram Tzadok:
Wherever they performed Orot Hashchuna brought the message of the emerging spirit of Israel's renewal neighborhoods. They conveyed, through their songs, a new dynamism and a growing sense of pride among residents of distressed neighborhoods as well as reinforcing the unique people to people relationships between diaspora and Israel that Project Renewal made possible.
With the arrival of the aliyah of the 1990's the program was changed to include the new hope that the immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia brought to the country.
Orot Hashchuna was supported by:
- The Jewish Agency
- United Israel Appeal Inc.
- UIA Keren Hayesod
- United Israel Appeal of Canada
Feeling nostalgic - share your memories with Orot Hashchuna organizer Allan Pakes - pakes@netvision.net.il.
Orot Hashchuna circa 1991 - bottom row (left to right): Yigal Carmel, Or Akiva; Irit Weltz, Ramle; Galit Sabag, Ramle; Orit Levy, Or Akiva; Shalom Soto, Rishon Letzion - Ramat Eliyahu; top row: Lilach Horen, Afula; Eitan ??, Afula; Re'em Bashari, Rishon Letzion - Shikun Hamizrach; Sasha Kaminsky, Oleh from Leningrad; Yosephina ??, Lod; Tzachi Levy, Tirat Hacarmel; Guy Gedassi, Beer Sheva; Revital Galili, Afula