The Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) has been celebrating Jewish culture every summer for a number of years with a free concert series, Jewish Music Under The Stars. This past Wednesday evening, hundreds came out to watch Yoel Sharabi and his band bring forth the ultimate in Jewish entertainment right here in Queens at Cunningham Park.
Guests brought beach chairs and blankets to enjoy a journey through time. Sharabi, a native Sabra and current Jamaica Estates resident, has captivated audiences with his wide musical repertoire and his dynamic style. He showcased his talents as a master of Modern Israeli, Classic Yemenite, and popular Chassidic melodies. Sharabi began his performance in his classic red tie and contrasting black suit, later shedding his signature jacket, keeping the crowd clapping as they visited towns around the world. From New York to the Catskills and a stop in the Negev, Israel, and back around with the iconic “New York, New York,” Sharabi, who was accompanied by his family in the audience, never let up. At 8:50 p.m. attendees thought the show was over - but Yoel joined his eager fans for another song that took them back once again to Eretz Yisrael with “Jerusalem of Gold - Yerushalayim Ir Shel Zahav!”
Sharabi last performed virtually during the pandemic for the Office of the Borough President in June of 2020 under then-Acting Borough President Sharon Lee. That concert marked the 53rd anniversary of the reunification of Israel’s City of Gold and the 72nd anniversary of the modern State of Israel. Richards has continued to support Israel in many ways since.
Special thanks is given to Sound on the Run for coordinating the program and to the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in conjunction with New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, Council Members James Gennaro, Lynn Schulman, and Linda Lee, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. for their sponsorship. Richards and State Senator John Liu delivered remarks.
Photos and story by Shabsie Saphirstein
