Matisyahu NYC Concert to Benefit BGU Community Post-Oct 7
Matisyahu NYC Concert to Benefit BGU Community Post-Oct 7
July 15, 2024
Current events, Negev Development & Community Programs
World-renowned musical artist Matisyahu
The Algemeiner – Following tickets being released last week, “One Day,” Americans for Ben-Gurion University’s (A4BGU) New York Annual Benefit, featuring a special invite-only performance by world-renowned artist Matisyahu, is quickly becoming one of the the hottest tickets in NYC.
The benefit is called “One Day,” after Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu’s popular song of the same name, and will take place on Sept. 22. It will be held two weeks prior to the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre in southern Israel and will raise money to help BGU students and faculty in the aftermath of October 7th.
Matisyahu said, “During such challenging times for Jews worldwide, it’s essential that we come together to advocate for our people, including by supporting organizations that are leading the way forward for Israel after October 7. That’s precisely why I was inspired to use my voice for A4BGU and BGU, who are working to build the Israeli people’s resilience and are playing a central role in their road to recovery.”
Ben-Gurion University (BGU) has a $1 billion global fundraising campaign called Way Forward to help support Israel’s future in the Negev region following the October 7 atrocities, and the “One Day” event in New York will help raise funds for the campaign, which has already garnered more than $380 million.
“Matisyahu’s song ‘One Day’ expresses a hope for an end to violence and hate, as well as the start of a new era of peace and understanding. After October 7, the world needs this message more than ever,” said Doug Seserman, CEO of A4BGU.
In May of this year, Matisyahu released a song about antisemitism, and its music video was filmed at the site of the Nova music festival massacre on October 7 and features survivors of the Hamas attack. Matisyahu dedicated his 2004 song “Warrior” to wounded Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers he met at an event coordinated by A4BGU in Aspen, Colorado.
Hundreds of BGU community members are still in active duty. In the aftermath of the attacks, BGU students and faculty members have volunteered in hospitals throughout Israel, cared for children of IDF soldiers who were called up for reserve duty and have hosted evacuated families, families of casualties, and army reservists in their homes and university dormitories.
Click here to join A4BGU in New York City for “One Day.”
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