Leonard Cohen performs in Israel after selling out concert in record time
All proceeds from performance will go to fund for bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families.
By City Mouse Online Tags: Israel newsVeteran singer Leonard Cohen took to the stage at Ramat Gan stadium on Thursday night after breaking an Israeli record when all the tickets for his show were sold out in less than 12 hours, despite costing between NIS 1,000 and 1,200.
The Canadian, whose previous performance in Israel took place more than 20 years ago, was expected to play many of his most well-known hits, including "Suzanne," "Bird on the Wire" and "Dance Me to the End of Love."
Before the concert, an event was held in the VIP section of the stadium for the Leonard Cohen Fund for Reconciliation, Tolerance and Peace, which gives support to bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families.
Grants were given at the event to people who have suffered personally from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but continue to believe in peace and work toward achieving it.
Cohen also announced around two months ago that the proceeds from his performance in Israel would go toward the fund.
Around 200 bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families were expected to attend the concert, among them the renowned writer David Grossman.
Cohen landed in Israel on a private plane on Tuesday, which his production team says he will use to travel around Israel.
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Leonard Cohen's intimate, musical dialogue with each one of the 47,000 in his audience was simply unforgettable. For three hours and more, he indulged his audience, performing straight from his heart and spirit. His accompanists, each of whom could also hold the stage in perfect solo, complemented him perfectly. Not a note out of place, not a word lost, a moving evening of love and musical excellence. He spoke little, preferring to let the music speak for him. When he did speak, it was to utter prayers and wishes in Hebrew, some taken from Rosh Hashanah tefilot, some from Birkat Hacohanim, some as gestures of peace and understanding, all of special weight here in Israel where he clearly feels connected. Magnificent.
leonard cohens donnation of the concert proceeds to an organization that helps families of victims of terror, arab and jewish, speaks elegantly. when some celebrities think they have to take sides politically and grandstand, boycott or endorse various causes, leonard simply put his money and his talent and heart in the right place. thank you.
The world needs more like him. May others learn from him.
what a great artist, a great humanitarian, how lucky he came to Israel to delight his fans here - giving the proceeds to charity for the performance here .... wow....
I have spent many happy hours listening to Leonard Cohen, as well as others covering his songs. I am glad his recent illness was not serious.
This is a good man. He tries to exemplify the peace that a lot of people give lip service to. He tries to avoid hate and and to have compassion for all. He puts his money where his mouth is. What else can we ask for in any man?