Solidarity song goes viral
"Like Jews the world over, October 7 shook us to our core. We felt compelled to take a principled stance and be our authentic selves, despite the risk of backlash."
Sydney-based Jewish band Chutney recently released their debut album’s first single in solidarity with Israel and the music video has already been viewed close to 400,000 times across social media.
The song, called Kama At Yafa, is a Hebrew pop anthem that translates to “How beautiful you are.” The band wants their release to help draw local and global awareness to the almost 140 hostages who have now been held by Hamas for two months.
“Like Jews the world over, October 7 shook us to our core. We felt compelled to take a principled stance and be our authentic selves, despite the risk of backlash.
“Within 36 hours, we had postponed a big show scheduled that week and pivoted to perform instead for the communal solidarity vigil attended by almost 10,000 Jews and allies,” said band leader and violinist Ben Adler.
“Since then, we’ve been making music at vigils, in synagogues and in every other context we can to galvanise and empower our community. The expedited production of Kama At Yafa and its music video is an embodiment of those efforts.”
Kama At Yafa was written by Kobi Aflalo and first performed by Shiri Maimon in 2012, Israeli artists that Adler and Chutney’s Australian-Israeli guest singer, Sarit Michael, have long admired. The song’s lyrics speak of hope and resilience.
“We see this song as a prayer, not only for the hostages, but also for the spirit of the people of Israel: ‘Do not fall, do not break. Come back.’ We want this powerful message to reach Israelis and Jews in the furthest corners of the globe, and we encourage everyone to share it widely,” said Adler.
Adler added that American Jewish a cappella group Maccabeats put out a beautiful track a few days before Chutney called We’re Still Here, which he said seems to be the only other studio quality offering of solidarity from the Diaspora.
“What distinguishes ours is that it is in Hebrew and specifically targeted at Israelis, to let them know that they’re not alone and the Jewish world is standing with them,” Adler said.
“I don’t have stats to verify this, but I suspect our track is the single most popular Jewish/Zionist Australian release ever.”
To listen to the song visit: youtube.com/watch?v=Ni4yQ-EqEik or search for Chutney band on Facebook or Instagram
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