SOUL SONG “Closeness to God” A unique event of musical compositions to Sufi poet Rumi's pearls & Psalms With support from Greg Sheehan - Opening act 'Boaz Modman' Saturday 23rd January Mullum Civic Hall Doors 7pm / Show 8pm Tix: Full: $25 (+BF) / $30 on door Concession:  $20 (+BF) / $25 on door Tickets now available from: Mullum Books & www.kupromotions.oztix.com.au Delicious food by Open Table will be available. To hear some of their music, please visit: www.myspace.com/soulsongjerusalem

Miriam OhevetEL and her ensemble SOUL SONG will present their Australian musical tour "Closeness to God", an ecumenical musical event with audience participation at the Mullum Civic Hall on January 23. Miriam OhevetEL sings her melodies to King David's Psalms, as well as to verses of Rumi's mystic poetry. Tavor Ben Dor, musician and peace activist, accompanies her on Sitar.  A percussionist will also be joining the duo in Australia. This one-and-a-half hour program includes songs & prayers based on inspiring verses of wisdom, taken from the Jewish and Sufi (Muslim) spiritual traditions, emphasizing how much they have in common. The night will exemplify main themes of Inner\Outer Peace, Closeness to God, Love & Unity, while connecting with the audience through singing, dancing and sharing.

Born and raised in Jerusalem, Miriam OhevetEL is a very creative singer, songwriter, composer, poet, actress, dancer, therapist, teacher, and above all, an Israeli woman who is in love with God. She grew up in a Karliner Hassidic family, where she absorbed their passionate and joyous spirit. She has also experienced a long and rewarding search for her own deep spirituality, integrating innovations with traditional Jewish sources. As a result she has become a pioneer in the Jewish Renewal movement in Israel. Her authentic reflection upon the Bible has resulted in a unique expression of traditional and original songs and melodies which she sings in Hebrew, English and Arabic.  Miriam infuses ancient texts with great joy, depth and faith.

In 2006, the "Shalshelet" Festival (the center for New Jewish Liturgical Music), awarded two of Miriam’s songs (out of over 1000 entries) by recording them on their CD of the top 10 New Jewish Songs of the Year. The Shalshelet Festival also chose Miriam to sing at the festival with 9 others (from over 300 composers). She opened and closed the festival with her songs.

Miriam is also a Peace Activist working with “The All Nations Café” www.allnationscafe.org, an artists’ initiative that provides space for Israelis and Palestinians who "refuse to be enemies" to meet, sing, play and talk from the heart.  She is also an Ecological Activist, working with "Bustanyah", an NGO that turned a neglected valley in Jerusalem into a beautiful, community garden. In the summer of 2007, at the annual international gathering of the Jewish Renewal movement, Miriam was awarded the title "Woman of Vision" (Eshet Hazon) for her ongoing involvement in peace and interfaith work in Israel. In the years 2005, 2006, 2007, Miriam toured with her show: "Devotional & Peace Songs from Jerusalem".  She sang for and with Jewish, Christian interfaith and peace action groups around the USA and Canada.

Tavor Ben Dor is a student of physics and environmental studies, as well as a musician, yoga instructor and peace activist. While studying sitar and Indian classical music when traveling in India, he was exposed deeply to the spirituality and peacefulness that can be accessed and expressed through music. Through working and playing with Miriam Ohevetel Iron, Tavor has had a chance to reveal more of these qualities and possibilities in music, and to experience personally the ability to cross boundaries of race and religion with music.

“This performance is an opportunity to express my faith and love to God and connect myself and the audience to our spiritual potential as human beings.  I'm inspired by King David and Rumi because they both brought this faith and devotion to its fullest manifestation in their poetry. The music I share in this program crosses religious boundaries, and has the potential to open hearts, bringing people to inner peace and the willingness to accept the other. One song which opens hearts is worth a thousand words! It will be my pleasure to share my love with you!”   Miriam OhevetEl

Greg Sheehan

Greg Sheehan is one of Australia’s premier and most innovative percussionists, widely regarded internationally as an expert in his field. As a performer, he is significantly represented in the last three decades of Australian contemporary music as a solo artist, a live band member, and a studio musician having played on hundreds of recordings. As a teacher Greg has coordinated many extraordinary community arts projects along with teaching both professionals and the wider community with his unique style of rhythmic notation and original body percussion techniques.