When a Word Isn’t a Word: (A Letter to New Olim)

To Whom it May Concern:

I am a veteran Israeli musician/composer.  I made Alyia in 1980 from the USA.  Since then I have created many successful projects. I have been privileged to be awarded the Israel Prime Minister’s award in composition and have helped to nurture many generations of young Israeli musicians, including youth a risk.  One of those students has won two Grammies; others have blossomed.  At age seventy-eight I am ecstatic to be able to witness my students develop into independent artists with their own innovations and vision.  My music has been recorded and played worldwide. I am proud of what I created as an “Oleh”.

Several weeks ago I received an email me from the Jerusalem Jazz Festival (part of the ongoing Israel Festival).  The producers graciously invited me to perform in this year’s festival with my new composition for trio and dynamic art entitled “Quick Shift Messenger”, with original music and live painting on stage (Jacob Yona).   I was excited about realizing this project.  I let the members of my trio know; they cancelled their work to find time to prepare and perform. For the last weeks I have worked day and night preparing both as a player and composer, while circulating to friends and family that I would be part of the festival.  I suddenly felt like the boxer Rocky who in his “ripe” years was invited to fight in the championship arena; I slowly started the grueling basic training as both a saxophonist and conductor.  Over the last weeks my time was devoted 100% to this festival project, knowing that I couldn’t let my “fans” down…. I’d like to think that I have many.

Today I found a message from the festival’s booking manager in my email stating the following:

“After trying to find a slot for you …this year, it seems like we are not able to do it after all..Sorry about that….

I entered a state of shock.  I couldn’t speak.  At first I thought was a mistake or even a joke.  But then fifteen seconds later I realized the true meaning of the message.

So what was the actual meaning? What was it’s clear translation? It was this….

“After inviting and promising you to participate in this years Festival, we are obliged to cancel it because we found someone else who has more protectia than you, someone who’s manager persuaded us that his “guy” would bring you more fans”….

Of course I sulked, but then the anger welled up inside me.  I felt cheated, denied and wiped clean.

I didn’t know how to express my disgust, hence I ran to my computer and wrote this blog.  I also thought I had an obligation to share my thoughts with those who, like me, made “aliya”, souls who were filled with hope, ready to give, explore, and help contribute what they could.  Of course I didn’t want to spoil the new residents hope; no doubt they had visions and an optimistic outlook about what Israel is and could be.  So I decided to write this letter to them (i.e. YOU).

So here it is….my advice to all immigrants, especially from the USA.  In Israel it’s most often not about talent… not even money. It’s about who you know.  We call this protectia. This is true for all professions and transactions.  Those  who were born here (i.e. “bonified” Israelis) were the first in line.

I have been in Israel since 1980 and still, for some reason, feel different.  For me  this was a puzzle but later became  a burden.  

So to all “Olim”…My advice? If you want to create something, do it on your own.  If financial resources need to be raised, find your own sources; many government grants take months, even years, to procure.  Try to build a base.  Become independent.  Do not rely on existing institutions to promote you.  Try to find an assistant (one who is competent in Hebrew and English). Yes, make connections but try not to beg.  If you can, find success abroad. 

Here’s an example: Golan Wines, they started to sell ONLY abroad.  Later on they added Israeli posh restaurants to their list and only after many years did they sell to private Israelis.

Now you may think that all the above are merely sour grapes.  But it is the truth.   Unfortunately it is part of how things are done; it’s a way of life here.

In my my forty-six years of residency here, I have been stung many times.  And yet I always got up from the ground and continued.  I had many opportunities, but was  also overlooked.  I was promised tenure by a prestigious music academy, but it never happened;  another colleague (Israel-born) had the ample protectcia to receive that tenure.

To be blunt…In Israel it is most often not about your ability or wisdom, but who you know.  My advice to you recent immigrants: start polishing your elbows.  Drop your name wherever you can.  Know that you may be one of greatest researchers or creators but may be simply over-looked if you have not collected huge bags of ‘”connections”.  

Yes, I am stunned and burned about what happened to me recently, so much so that I vowed to several musician-friends that I will NEVER perform in Israel again….only abroad.   Yes, I am wallowing in sour grapes, but I like the taste…furthermore I cannot drink the real stuff because my doctor says I am not allowed alcohol.  If my life’s goal is to bring my music to the people I love (yes I mean Israelis), what should I do?  Should I wrap up “shop”? Should I cry to the powers that be?

Should I sulk in my basement and swim?

So please read my words with a grain of salt.  Perhaps you will do better than me.  Perhaps you will be embraced by the powers that be and will have the luck to meet the “biggies”.  Perhaps you will rise to the top, I as though I had done…but learned the hard way.

Please don’t be bitter, because with all its complexity, Israel can be a paradise. There are good people everywhere.  Friendship is important as is community.  Just learn how to use your peripheral vision to protect yourself!   Know that your worth should not determined by the ghosts of greed, power or bullying.  It is, first and foremost, the belief in yourself.

I wish you all good luck in your new journey!  Please be ready for rocky roads, sudden curves and oodles of surprises.  

Sincerely,

The Author

Yours truly (with the grey hair) and one of his award winning ensembles, the Lab Orchestra…(photo by the author)