Sydney Town Hall glowed as 1,900 gathered for Songs of Strength, brilliantly directed by violinist Ben Adler. This luminous SHIR Festival, supported by the Shalom Collective, united artistry and resilience, and was a moving celebration of Jewish spirit, community, and identity through music that healed, uplifted, and inspired.
A Tapestry of Voices and Vision
The program’s architecture was exquisite. Somewhere from West Side Story, sung by Danielle Bavli, glided with grace and longing, a declaration that “there’s a place for us,” was incredibly moving, grounding Jewish hope in universal belonging. Tenor Brett Kaye and Bavli’s duet on Ve’hi She’amda turned prayer and worship into art, invoking powerful ancestral endurance.
From there, a sequence of modern Israeli and international songs: Ulai Tishma by Michal Greenglück (performed tenderly by Sasha Fisher), HaLev Sheli by Ishay Ribo (a radiant duet between Amit Benita and Goodridge), and Rachel Platten’s defiant Fight Song delivered by Ben Goldstein, all drew threads between ancient faith and contemporary resilience. Each artist brought unique emotional texture: Benita’s heartfelt sincerity, Goodridge’s luminous violin and vocals were a consistent standout throughout the entire concert, Fisher’s soul-anchored storytelling, and Goldstein’s dynamic pop-soul power and undeniable stage presence.
The first half culminated with Montana Sharp’s crystalline New Day Will Rise, inspired by Nova Festival survivor Yuval Raphael, a modern psalm of rebirth that carried the audience into intermission with hope glowing on every face.
Legacy, Lament, and Light
The second half deepened into reflection. Eli Eli, Hannah Szenes’ timeless prayer, became a transcendent trio by Fisher, Goodridge, and Sharp, followed by You’ll Never Walk Alone sung by Bavli with a purity that drew tears. Elements of the Torah, ancient Scripture, and prayers were delivered musically with heart and power.
Then came one of the night’s emotional peaks: Brett Kaye’s stirring performance of Close Every Door from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. With commanding presence and heartfelt sincerity, Kaye captured both the anguish and ultimate hope at the core of the piece, a moment of haunting beauty that stood as one of the evening’s true highlights.
Following this, the legendary Deborah Conway AM and Willy Zygier performed As Sweet As Battles Won, Book of Life, and Too Loud. Their seasoned artistry and poetic conviction bridged decades of Jewish creativity, reminding all present of music’s sacred power to chronicle both exile and homecoming. Their inclusion was an artistic choice and a symbolic passing of the torch; Conway and Zygier helped establish SHIR’s predecessor, Shir Madness, more than a decade ago.
The sheer legacy Conway has crafted across her well established career seemed to be an unspoken yet somehow tangible and grounding presence for the audience, even before she sang. It was evident that an artist was primed to bring an offering.
Following their set, Amit Benita’s poignant Tachzor (Idan Raichel) and Ben Goldstein’s Tamid Ohev Oti with Amit Benita and Ensemble, lifted spirits heavenward, affirming divine love and human perseverance. The full ensemble’s rendition of Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) was radiant, soaring, and unforgettable. It united every artist and audience member in one voice of longing and faith. As the final note dissolved into the vaulted hall, standing ovations cascaded like waves.
Community as Choir
What made Songs of Strength exceptional was both its musicianship, which was world-class across every performance, and its deeper resonance. This was a community’s heartbeat set to melody: the ancient, the modern, the sacred, and the secular, all beautifully intertwined.
Rabbi Alon Meltzer, in his program reflection, quoted Isaiah 52:9: “Burst forth in joy, sing gladsongs, O ruins of Jerusalem, for Hashem will comfort His people.” His words framed the night’s meaning. Amid a turbulent global climate, the concert became a sanctuary, and proof that even through suffering, song remains a sure path to comfort, identity, and unity.
A Triumphant Testament
With Rachelle Unreich guiding the evening as emcee, the production flowed seamlessly, which was a testament to SHIR’s dedicated team of volunteers and creative professionals. Each artist, each note, felt part of a larger vision: to reclaim space for Jewish music and cultural pride in Australia’s mainstream artistic life.
Integral to the night’s brilliance was the powerhouse award winning ensemble CHUTNEY - Ralph Marshall (bass), Cameron Reid (drums), Paul Khodor (piano), Yiss Mil (percussion), and Ben Samuels (clarinet/saxophone.)
Their quality, top tier musicianship anchored the evening with rhythm, warmth, and authenticity. Their interplay with each other, the violins, and the vocalists, created a lush, sophisticated sonic landscape that was both intimate and electrifying, reminding all present why live music matters so deeply. The lighting was also extremely impacting and had clearly been carefully designed. I discovered later this incredible visual display that was integrated perfectly with the live music was also designed and guided by Adler!
Songs of Strength was more than a concert. It was a declaration: that music heals, unites, and defies. It reminded us that even when voices tremble, they do not fade. They rise: strong, proud, and full of light.
In closing, it must be said that Ben Adler’s passionate and unwavering commitment to create such an epic event was beyond extraordinary. Working tirelessly and voluntarily for an entire year, he poured heart, artistry, and precision into every detail, cutting no corners and setting a new benchmark for excellence. His vision has given the Jewish community a gift of immense cultural and spiritual value. It is vital that he receives continued support and resources needed to continue this exceptional work, ensuring SHIR’s brilliance shines even brighter in years to come.
Personally, when I see a creative soul deliver at such a high level, I realize these are the types that would only deliver more, bigger, and better if the support was there, so the only correct response I feel to shout after the wonder I witnessed is, “give him a blank cheque!”
May there be many more events to celebrate the richness of both historical and contemporary Jewish music, and to platform and showcase these exceptional artists, especially held at such a sacred and reflective time on the Jewish calendar, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
September 28, 2025 at 7PM
Photo credit: Giselle Haber
Reviewed by: Simone Waddell