Campus celebrates Israel Day

Stepping onto a blackened stage to the screams of hundreds of loyal fans, Israeli superstar David Broza brought Israel Day 1997 to a climactic finale Wednesday night. Broza, a singer and songwriter who has established himself as a master of urban folk-rock, played to the crowd -- which included many long-time fans of the "Mel Gibson of rock 'n' roll." "He's a crowd pleaser," College freshman Imri Eisner said enthusiastically, who has seen Broza in concert more than ten times. The 40-year-old singer -- who is known for his impassioned performances -- sung in Hebrew, English and Spanish. "He is unbelievable? one of the best guitar players," said Eran Harari, a Temple University junior, who spent the entire concert singing along with Broza's songs. Many fans were excited to hear Broza sing tunes in Hebrew, including songs that he has popularized worldwide over the past two decades. "I've heard his songs forever? it's like they're coming to life," said College freshman Kim Bardy, adding that "he's pretty sexy." Broza's Irvine Auditorium concert was the highlight of Israel Day, an event designed to promote Israeli culture. Shira Neustein, an Engineering junior and the student coordinator of Israel Day 1997, said that she hoped the event would increase the visibility of Israeli culture on the University's campus. "We just want to make people aware of Israeli programs on campus and highlight the cultural aspects of Israel [as opposed to the political]," she said. Introducing Broza to the crowd Wednesday night, Neustein thanked everyone who helped make Israel Day a success -- a project that at times "seemed too big to accomplish." As part of the event, representatives from several Israeli groups lined Locust Walk to offer information on their organizations and summer programs to Israel. Liz Marlowe, a representative from the Israeli Consulate of Philadelphia, participated in the information fair and gave interested students general information on Israel. Marlowe -- who has seen Broza perform in several outdoor concerts in Israel --Edescribed the singer as "amazing." The Middle East Awareness Program, Parents of North American Israelis, Israeli Aliyah and Program Center, and Volunteers for Israel were among the groups represented on the Walk. And the student group Ayalah performed Israeli dances on College Green -- which was decked out with blue and white balloons -- while student vendors sold falafel and Israeli snacks. "We think it went very well," said Suzanne Kurtz, program associate for the University's Hillel Foundation. "We hope it was informative."

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