Lior Elmaliach Blends Rock and Piyutim in Jerusalem Tolerance Museum Show

Piyut singer Lior Elmaliach is set to present "Rock Piyut and Selichot" (Penitential Prayers) at Jerusalem's Museum of Tolerance on September 15th. The show, building on a previous success in Caesarea, aims to push genre boundaries and offer a spiritual, musical, and human experience without definitions or barriers.

This year, Elmaliach is spotlighting the "Almoraviah" orchestra from Ma'alot-Tarshiha, composed of Jewish and Arab musicians. The orchestra has been inactive for months due to the ongoing war. Elmaliach, originally from Kiryat Shmona, feels a deep personal connection to the north and wants to support the musicians, stating, "I wanted to give them a chance and a place precisely on an evening that symbolizes connection, hope, and cooperation."

The performance will feature diverse voices from across Israeli society, including secular and religious individuals, Mizrahim and Ashkenazim, Arabs and Jews, with a significant role for female singers. Elmaliach acknowledges the criticism he faces from various sides regarding the inclusion of women's voices, noting, "I understood that you can't please everyone, so at least I'm going with my truth and with the desire to connect and unite."

Joining Elmaliach on stage will be artists such as Efrat Gosh, Yermi Kaplan, opera singer Naomi Toov, and singer Gusto. Elmaliach believes the blend of hard rock and piyutim, while seemingly unusual, reveals a spiritual core, stating, "It's not the natural world of Efrat Gosh or Yermi Kaplan, but when they do it, they do it wonderfully. In the end, you realize the gaps are not that big. Music is spiritual, and ultimately, artists touch that point. Especially after great traumas like October 7th, something in that spark awakens."

Elmaliach's personal life also reflects harmony, with his wife, a former IDF orchestra soloist and songwriter, participating in the show. The couple balances careers and family with support from relatives and babysitters. The "Rock Piyut and Selichot" show aims to transcend political views, gender, and lifestyles, focusing on music's power to unite and offer solace amidst Israel's complex reality, demonstrating tolerance as a living creation.