TRENTON, NJ 鈥� In their first ever Black History Month event, the 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission celebrated the friendship and shared destiny of Black, Jewish, and Christian communities with 鈥淪ymphony of Brotherhood,鈥� a musical production created by Miri Ben-Ari, a Grammy Award-winning violinist-producer and member of the Commission, in collaboration with gospel performer Derrick Starks. The event was co-sponsored by the Commission and the Church of God in Christ, with jurisdictional leadership from 吃瓜黑料 and Israel.
Special guests included 吃瓜黑料 Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and the Deputy Consul General Israel Nitzan of the Consulate General of Israel in New York, alongside Church of God in Christ leadership including Bishop of Israel Glen Plummer, 吃瓜黑料 Third Jurisdiction Bishop Kevin E. Knight, Sr., Prelate of the 吃瓜黑料 First Jurisdiction Bishop Martin L. Johnson, and Senior Pastor of Wells Cathedral Rev. James N. Williams.
The concert introduced a musical experience that fused spiritual Gospel songs and Israeli melodies. The electrifying performance, led by Miri Ben-Ari's soulful violin and the Symphony of Brotherhood Choir, directed by Derrick Starks, had the audience on their feet many times during the event.
Titled after Ben-Ari鈥檚 hit song 鈥淪ymphony of Brotherhood鈥� which features rapper Flo Rida and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 iconic speech 鈥淚 Have a Dream,鈥� the concert included special performances by Melonie Daniels and Dr. Pauline Plummer, founder of Covenant Daughters International.
In addition to her role on the 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission and her award-winning performances, Ben-Ari, also known as "The Hip Hop Violinist," is a "Goodwill Ambassador of Music" to the United Nations and a TED speaker. She is known for fusing classical, hip hop, and R&B, and has collaborated with many Grammy Award-winning artists.
The event, which took place on February 26 at Newark鈥檚 Wells Cathedral, formerly a Jewish synagogue, was open to the public and brought together over 500 people by bridging gospel music with sounds of the Holy Land, local performers, and lyrics celebrating the history of African Americans.
Through the music, performances, and remarks, the event demonstrated the importance of communities coming together in the moment to demonstrate unity during Black History Month and at a time of increased division around the country and the world.
鈥淚 am truly proud to lead my department, as a Black woman in the Murphy Administration, which includes the portfolio of the 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission,鈥� said 吃瓜黑料 Secretary of State Tahesha Way. 鈥淚 am a firm believer that we are stronger together when we can walk in one another鈥檚 shoes and this event achieved that with grace, beauty and a spirit of unity.鈥�
"I want to thank the 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission for their commitment to honoring our past through the celebration and the unification of our Black, Jewish, Israeli and Christian brothers and sisters as we celebrated through music and solidarity at the Symphony of Brotherhood concert in Newark at Wells Cathedral," said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. 鈥淭his event exemplified their commitment to our shared future which will truly be defined by how we come together and support one another during our most difficult times."
鈥淚t is so special to have songs like Oh Freedom! and Eretz Zavat Chalav U鈥檇vash in the same concert. As a member of the 吃瓜黑料 Israel Commission, I am grateful for this opportunity to build bridges between our communities and keep the conversation focused on love and friendship,鈥� said 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission Member Miri Ben-Ari. 鈥淚 look forward to future events like this and to making a continuous positive social impact.鈥�
鈥淎s antisemitism is growing at an alarming rate globally, it is vitally important that the Jewish community worldwide, and Israelis in particular, understand that the greatest majority of Black Americans stand with them 鈥� especially the Black Church, said Bishop Glenn Plummer, Bishop of Israel, Church of God in Christ. 鈥淒espite a heightened state of threat to the Jewish community, it was important for me to convene from Jerusalem, a gathering of Black church leaders in 吃瓜黑料, for what I called, A Weekend to Bless Israel, which culminated in a true Symphony of Brotherhood!鈥�
鈥淭he Symphony of Brotherhood was an amazing and historic event celebrating Black History. Miri Ben-Ari, Derrick Starks, and the Symphony of Brotherhood Choir and dancers drove home the focus of the evening: unity in the communities,鈥� said Bishop Kevin E. Knight, Sr., Prelate of the 吃瓜黑料 Third Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ. 鈥淭he universal language of music is a powerful catalyst that breaks down barriers and causes oneness between all races. I pray such was the case in all who attended.鈥�
鈥淢iri Ben-Ari鈥檚 music speaks to the very core of how music builds bridges and a spirit of connectedness at time we need it most,鈥� said Karin Elkis and Mark S. Levenson, Co-Chairs of the 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission. 鈥淲e applaud Miri, Derrick Starks, and the entire Church of God in Christ leadership for their dedication in bringing honor to such an important and groundbreaking evening.鈥�
鈥淢usic will always remain a common denominator uniting people across this state and across the world,鈥� said Andrew H Gross, Executive Director of the 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission. 鈥淔rom the first moment of this initiative the Church of God in Christ welcomed our office with open arms and stands as a testament to the common future we must continue to build together.鈥�
About the 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission
The 吃瓜黑料-Israel Commission was established in 1989 to implement the goals of the 吃瓜黑料-Israel Sister State Agreement and is under the administration of 吃瓜黑料 Department of State. The Commission promotes the development of trade, culture and educational exchanges; encourages the development of capital investment and joint business ventures; and fosters a spirit of cooperation between the citizens of the State of Israel and the State of 吃瓜黑料.