Comfortable - The Diwan Project

What is “Diwan”?

According to the Jewish tradition of the Middle Ages in Spain, it was common for Jews to meet outside the synagogue or house of study. Following holy prayer or study, they would create culture in the space between sacred and secular time. They would integrate spiritual search, their yearning for the “Shechina” (the divine presence) and for the return to Zion. These encounters in Spain, Egypt, Morocco and Yemen were called “Diwan”. The rich culture of “Diwan”, composed of song and “Piyut” (Poetry & sacred prose) is a heritage that influences the soul, the creativity and the song of the people of Israel until this day. Women and men, young and old, even children - all take part in the “Diwan”, sing and pray together.

What is “Diwan Halev”?

“Diwan Halev” is an ensemble that plays and sings traditional music in a free contemporary Israeli style, with original instruments from the Jewish Diaspora. “Diwan halev” is an encounter and not a performance. “Diwan halev” is renewing the sacred ancient tradition of the Levites through “piyut” and prayer. In “Diwan Halev” the choir, audience and the musicians are one. As opposed to a concert where the audience listens to the musicians and then applauds, “Diwan Halev” starts and ends every prayer-song in silence. The melodies and singing arise from the collective memory
of the Jewish Diaspora and Jewish heritage of thousands of years.
The experience of “Diwan Halev” inspires new generations of Jews to reconnect,
in a new way, to the treasures of the Jewish people.

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