The thirty young competitors who arrived in Israel last week to take part in the "Hallelujah"
singing contest may look like just another Birthright group, but for
these Jews from around the world, it is a chance to make it big.
Hallelujah
is a global song contest for Jews aged 16 to 26 which event organizers
are hoping will establish a new musical tradition for world Jewry that
will strengthen the connection among the Diaspora.
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Contestant
Gustavo Guerchon from Brazil, a young medical student, says he has
always had doubts about his career because of his natural draw to music.
"Music is more than love, it's what you feel."
Jeana Zettler, age 19 from Philadelphia, says that it's much easier to
make it in the music industry outside of the US. "If I'm saying I want
to do this for the rest of my life then I think that there will be
opportunities for me to come here [Israel] and maybe try and do it
here."
The grand finale, which will be webcast live on JPost.com, will take
place on August 25 in Ramat Hasharon in front of an audience of 3,000
people. The winner will receive an $8,000 cash prize and record a duet
with an Israeli artist that will be broadcast on local radio stations
and Jewish radio stations worldwide. The two will also go on a concert
tour of international Jewish communities. The runner-up will receive
$4,000, and the third-place finalist will win $2,000.
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