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David Broza is back on stage Legendary Israeli singer-songwriter David Broza was in the middle of his tour celebrating the 40 th anniversary of the launch of his classic album “Ha isha she’iti” (La mujer que yo quiero), when the October 7 attacks occurred. Since the start of the war, he’s been playing non-stop for soldiers, for the wounded, and the displaced. In September, he’ll be performing in London and Berlin, but you can still catch him in Israel this month, for two special shows / By Nava Marton

“The tour celebrating the 40 years since the launch of “Ha isha she’iti” had more than 40 nights lined up. But then the damned, monstrous October 7 attacks happened, and I felt compelled to be here, in Israel”, says David Broza, who since October 8 th has been performing in front of displaced families from the north and south, as well as for soldiers in army bases and for the wounded, in hospitals around the country. He also donated money from the tour to “Natal”, an organization that supports victims of war and terrorism. “I was performing three to five times a day, for soldiers, displaced communities, people reeling from the trauma. Being able to sing for them, be with them, in these darkest of times, was beyond emotional. Being in a state of raw pain and having to suddenly concentrate, connect to the songs, was extremely intense. Catching momentary smiles, hearing people join in with me, laugh, and even dance to the sound of my wild rumba… those days were days of overwhelming emotion”. About a month after the start of the war, Broza returned to New York. He began playing for Jewish and Israeli communities in synagogues and cultural centers, feeling the need to come together as a community.

Photo: Juan Fajardo

“The songs did all the work. Those performances were very powerful. People arrived early and would stay to talk afterwards”, says Broza. We’re going to be ok “Since October 7, there’s not been a minute when the mind wasn’t engulfed in worry. But I know the bad times will eventually end, that one day we’ll be able to recover and calm down”, he says, emphasizing how connected he feels to Israel: “My connection to Israel, to the language, to my friends, my public, has just gotten stronger since October”. Broza has started to play at larger venues again. In September he’ll be performing in London at a special concert for the Friends of the Israel

Philharmonic Organization and at another concert open to the general public on September 12 th (produced by Tzemach Productions UK and the Israeli House in London). “This is the most intimate show I’ve ever done. It’s just me and my guitar”, he says. His Berlin show (on September 15 th ) is part of the “Days of Jewish Culture” festival, which has been taking place for 30 years, showcasing Jewish music, from jazz to pop to klezmer, theatre, art, and food to the general Berliner public. ˆ David Broza will be performing his “40 years since Ha isha she’iti” show as part of the Tu B’Av festivities at the Zappa Amphi Shuni on August 16 th , and at Ariel Sharon Park on August 17 th

28 ATMOSPHERE AUGUST 2024