It was Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat who suggested in 1993 that a concert be held in New York to attract people protesting the Oslo talks. The annual event drew 20,000 people to Central Park’s Summer Stage this year after the parade. A Star is Born Joey Brody, only 10 years old, took the stage and sang at the concert, dedicated to kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit and other missing soldiers, jailed Pentagon worker Jonathan Pollard, the memories of victims of the Oslo War, and of the Yemenite rabbi recently killed in his native country, the memories of the victims of the terrorist slaughter at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva last year, the reunification of Jerusalem, the plight of Gush Katif and northern Samaria expulsion victims and the American and Israeli armies. (Photo: Barry Brown Studios) Let's Sing Together Joey, who also is the son of concert chairpersons Dr. Paul Brody, (standing behind his son) and Drora Brody, was an instant hit singing "V'hi Sh'Amda," the song that implores the Almighty to save Jews from the hands of Israel's enemies. Joey was accompanied by his uncle, pianist Shlomi Aharoni (right) and singer Elad Snir (center), both of whom are of Yemenite descent and formerly sang in the IDF choir. (Photo: Barry Brown Studios) Father and Son Another young man taking the stage was professional singer Baruch Abittan, who sang with his father Dr. Meyer Abittan, an interventional cardiologist. Baruch rendered a rousing performance at the 16th Annual Israel Day Concert in Central Park, including favorite selections from his own recently-released hit CD, "M'Emek." (Photo: Barry Brown Studios) Full House The audience broke out into spontaneous dance circles and waving Israeli flags. The 16th annual Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann Memorial Israel Day Concert in Central Park was sponsored by individual and corporate sponsors. (Photo: Barry Brown Studios) Tapestry: For Jerusalem’s Sake “For Jerusalem’s sake, I shall not be silent” was the theme of a tapestry, created by the nationalist Women in Green organization and depicting one of the major themes of the concert. Standing, left to right, are Dr. Joseph Frager, longtime concert organizer, together with concert chairpersons Dr. Paul and Drora Brody, and Karen Frager, longtime concert supporter. (Photo: Barry Brown Studios) The Stars Behind the Scenes (L-R) Karen Frager and her husband and concert organizer Dr. Joseph Frager hold placard of official concert poster and articles from each of the main Jewish newspapers. Next to them are Dr. Paul and Drora Brody, concert chairpersons. Above them is the Israel Day Concert in Central Park banner. (Photo: Barry Brown Studios) United Jerusalem Forever The concert's four themes were: Jerusalem - Israel's united and eternal capital; Israel - the undivided Promised Land to the Jewish People; “No” to a Palestinian/Hamas terrorist state; and “Yes” to standing up to the “mullahs of Iran.” (L-R) Concert emcee and popular metro New York radio show host Nachum Segal, concert chairman Dr. Paul Brody with concert organizer Dr. Joseph Frager, Moshe Goldsmith, mayor of the town of Itamar in northern Samaria, Igud HaRabanim Rabbi Gershon Tennebaum, Edmond J. Safra Synagogue Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie and Chassidic singing sensation Shloime Dachs. (Photo: Barry Brown Studios)
