All your questions for Naomi Adler answered! This week’s question:
You’re about to leave for our Israel tour and mission along with the Philadelphia Orchestra. What does this trip mean to you?
Music has played such an important role in my life, and Israel owns a large piece of my heart. To be able to bring those two together – to experience the beauty of Israel against the live soundtrack of the incredible Philadelphia Orchestra — is going to be an experience of a lifetime. What an amazing way to continue our celebration of 70 years of Israel’s existence!
I’ve been honored to travel to Israel to represent the Jewish Federation quite a few times over the last four years. But this will be the first Israel experience for quite a few of the Orchestra musicians and participants, and I can hardly wait to see the country through their eyes: the narrow paths of Old Jaffa, the abundance of Sarona Market, the blue waters of the Mediterranean as seen from a Tel Aviv beach… and that’s just our itinerary for the first day.
I’m also excited for all the different ways the trip’s activities will further knit together our city of Philadelphia with the people and culture of Israel. In addition to performing throughout Israel, the Philadelphia Orchestra musicians will be on a mission of cultural diplomacy, in which they’ll meet people of varying backgrounds and beliefs, and share the universal language of music with Israelis of all stripes. And the trip is capped off with a culinary tour led by Israeli-born Philadelphia Chef Michael Solomonov, who will share with us the delights of Israeli food culture. Israel and Philadelphia already have a strong relationship, and I firmly believe this tour and patron mission will help that relationship continue to grow.
Shabbat Shalom,
Naomi
