Showcasing the heart and soul of the Jewish community

In the past, thousands of people have flocked to Elsternwick to enjoy the In One Voice festival, come rain, hail or shine. The festival, which showcases and celebrates the culture, food and talent of Melbourne’s vibrant and flourishing Jewish population, is back for 2022 as a full street celebration, after being impacted by COVID-19 for two years running.

In 2020, festival organisers were forced to pull the pin just four days before the festival was due to open, while the 2021 festival went ahead in a smaller, COVID-safe capacity with restrictions on the number of people allowed at each session and large gaps between for deep-cleaning.

But the good news is, In One Voice 2022, co-presented by SKIF and Kadimah, seems like the best program ever.

In One Voice is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and features family-friendly events, music, a Jewish makers market, delectable food, and exhibitions, including the newly launched In One Click photography exhibition, an extension of the In One Brush art installation.

“Photography as an art form is quite accessible to most people and this would enable those with a passion for photography to submit their images,” In One Voice communications executive Allan Kaufman recently told The AJN.

This year, Jewish Divas, an all-new, all-female group of singers will premiere at the event. The group features performers Camilla Burrows, Hettie Zygier, Ella Holcdorf and Noa Morris-Coates, who all have a rich history on the Australian music scene.

“For me, music has always been there; growing up in a music-loving household, learning piano from a young age to then discovering my love for singing, I think deep down, I knew it was going to translate across into adulthood,” Burrows told The AJN.

The sentiment is echoed by Holcdorf who said: “Have you ever found yourself hearing someone say something and then you start singing about that sentence or thing? That’s me every day of my life. I think it’s just how I process information.”

The women are all excited for the Divas to premiere at In One Voice, especially following a tough couple of years in the live entertainment and festival industry.

“I am excited to perform for In One Voice and be part of such a great community festival,” Morris-Coates said. “I am really keen to watch the audience sing and dance along.”

“I am very excited to play with an exceptional band and bring such musically nuanced songs to life for this special festival celebrating the perseverance, hope and joy the Jewish culture brings,” expressed Burrows.

For Zygier, it’s all about enchanting audiences with the band’s unique blend of soul, folk, R&B, bossa nova and klezmer among other genres, and of course, “celebrating female Jewish voices”.

The 2022 festival will also feature YID!, the renowned collective of musicians including Willy Zygier, Adam Starr, Husky Gawenda, Gideon Preiss, Tomi Kalinski, Alex Burkoy, Josh Abrahams and David Haberfeld.

YID! is well known in the community for fusing centuries-old Yiddish drinking songs with the sounds of Duke Ellington, free jazz, New York funk, electronica and indie-fold pop.

As In One Voice describes on their website, “the result is a daring new fusion of tribal beats, improvised riffs and angelic indie vocals, channelling the sweet tunes of the long-gone Shtetl.”

Also on stage will be renowned Australian musicians and award-winning songwriters, the Bashevis Singers, and the unique sounds of Max Konig on the saxophone. For In One Voice, Konig will be performing Jewish melodies, accompanied by drummer Andrew Doo, keyboardist Shai Martin, and special guest from Slovenia, fellow saxophonist and longtime friend Andrej Thompson.

Plus of course, there will be plenty of entertainment provided by school and community choirs, bands, and dance troupes.

This year, the Jewish Makers market will feature a range of artisans and vendors showcasing hand-made gifts, homewares, and arts and crafts.

The Nosh Food Court is back featuring some of the best Jewish food vendors in Melbourne as is the kids’ zone with games, face painting and interactive demonstrations.

It’s a true celebration of Jewish community spirit and soul.

In One Voice will take place on Sunday, March 20 from 11am – 5pm, Selwyn Street, Elsternwick. For more information: inonevoice.org.au