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Barbra,
Hollywood Welcome Israel's President
March 10, 2012
 Shimon
Peres, the President of Israel made a brief pit stop in
Hollywood during his whirlwind tour of the U.S. yesterday. Peres
was the guest of Dreamworks
studios
in
Glendale
California.
He
gave
a
brief
speech
in
front
of
studio
staffers
and
Hollywood
A-listers.
Among
those
in
attendance
was
Barbra
Streisand
(photo,
right).
Using
the
occasion
to
note
the
important
role
Hollywood
plays
in
influencing
world
opinion.
Peres
mentioned
that
people
sometimes
"believe
actors
more
than
politicians."
He
went
on
to
propose
the
continuation
of a
"close
cooperation
between
Hollywood
and
Israel."
To
bring
home
his
point,
Peres
reminded
his
audience
that
"among
the
founders
of
Hollywood
there
were
many
Jewish
people."
Peres'
visit
to
the
U.S.
comes
on
the
heels
of a
similar
visit
by
Israeli
Prime
Minister
Benjamin
Netanyahu.
Both
men
had
separate
oval
office
meetings
with
President
Obama
earlier
in
the
week.
A Hanukkah Surprise
December 7, 2012 (UPDATE)
 Just
as Jews around the world are about to celebrate Hanukkah, a
truly remarkable video has surfaced on YouTube. It's Barbra's
only known live performance of the Hebrew prayer, "Avinu
Malkeinu."
The hymn was performed at the Friends of the Israel Defense
Forces benefit on December 8, 2011 in Los Angeles.
Barbra originally recorded Avinu Malkeinu on her best selling
album "Higher Ground" in 1997.
Watch the video here.
December
9, 2011
 At a benefit last
night in Los Angeles, Barbra Streisand lent her support to the
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, an organization
established to provide for the well-being of the men and women
who serve in the Israeli military as well as the families of
fallen soldiers.
Barbra chose four selections from her vast catalogue to include
in her live performance set: "Avinu Malkenu," "The Windmills of
your Mind," "People" and "The Way We Were."
The event took place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza and was
hosted by Jason Alexander. In addition to Streisand, the evening
featured performances by David Foster & Friends.
Will Barbra Perform in Jerusalem?
January
21, 2008
 The
Jerusalem Post and The Jewish Telegraphic Agency have
both recently reported that Barbra Streisand will accept an
invitation from the government of Israel to participate in a May
13 conference celebrating
the country's 60th anniversary.
According to these news
outlets, Barbra will most likely perform Avinu Malkeinu
(in Hebrew) at the personal request of President Shimon Peres
during ceremonies in Jerusalem. It would also be the first time
Barbra will have performed this particular selection at a live
event. Barbra recorded Avinu Malkeinu, a traditional
prayer sung for the Jewish New Year, on her 1997
album, "Higher Ground."
Barbra journeyed to Israel in 1984 for the premiere of "Yentl." She
met with (then) Prime Minister, Yitzak Shamir at dedication
ceremonies for a building she endowed in her father's name at
Jerusalem's Hebrew University.
April 22, 2009 (update)
As reported
in Reuters, a spokesman for Barbra Streisand has
confirmed that she will not be on hand to participate in
Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations this May. Personal
obligations will prevent Barbra from personally attending
festivities scheduled to take place in Jerusalem.
The "Yentl" Premiere and a University Endowment
 Barbra
visited Israel in April of 1984 for
the premiere of her film, "Yentl." During that visit, Barbra met
with the current prime minister, Yitzhak Shamir, and dedicated
"The Emanuel Streisand Building for Jewish Studies" at the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
On
April 4, Barbra appeared on the television show "Good Morning America" via a
live satellite feed from Jerusalem. The show's host, David Hartman spoke
with Barbra about the Israeli premiere of her film, and then
asked her to speak about her experiences in Israel:
"I came here to dedicate
a building in my father's name at the Hebrew University. And
that was really a thrill yesterday. The students, even though
they were on vacation, came to greet me and were singing songs
through the halls as they went to unveil the sign for my
father's building. It was really, really thrilling: the spirit,
the sense of dedication, and the sense of purpose. It was very
inspiring."
 Remembering
PM
Yitzhak Shamir
July
1,
2012 (UPDATE)
Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir of Israel passed away on June 30 in Tel Aviv. He was 96.
In 1984, Barbra Streisand visited the leader while she was in Jerusalem promoting her film, "Yentl." |
"The Stars Salute Israel at 30"
 Barbra was also on hand for
another anniversary celebration for Israeli statehood. She was
the featured performer at "The Stars Salute Israel at 30"
concert in Los Angeles on May 7, 1978.
That evening, Barbra
performed three songs (People, Happy Days Are Here
Again and Tomorrow) before closing the show with
Israel's national Anthem, Hatikva.
From
the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Barbra also spoke
live (via satellite) with former prime minister Golda Meir:
Barbra: "I
really want to thank you, from all of us, for allowing us to
come into your home tonight, Golda, and for taking up your
valuable time to be with us."
Golda Meir: "It's really a pleasure, and I'm honored that
you people have chosen me to speak to you. And please let them
know how deeply appreciative I, and everybody in Israel is of
your contribution for our 30th anniversary."
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