CUNY TV in NY airing tribute to Israeli arts

‘Israeli Arts @ 70’ features authors, actors, directors, dancers and musicians.

By AMY SPIRO
Updated: OCTOBER 21, 2018 21:48
Israeli Arts @ 70 (photo credit: CUNY TV)
Israeli Arts @ 70
(photo credit: CUNY TV)
CUNY TV, the public education TV station linked to New York City’s university system, has been airing a program celebrating the history of art in Israel.
Israeli Arts @ 70, a 30-minute show, began airing on Thursday evening and has played on the network every day; its final airing is slated for Sunday evening. The full show is also available on the CUNY TV website.
“Israel’s arts are renowned worldwide,” says host Donna Hanover at the start of the program.
“Wonder Woman Gal Gadot is an action hero superstar, pop singer Netta won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, author David Grossman was awarded the Man Booker International Prize, and in the US, an Israeli show, Fauda, on Netflix, is one of the top TV series. And on Broadway, The Band’s Visit, based on an Israeli film, just nabbed 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Why is so much art coming out of a young country the size of New Jersey?” asks Hanover.
“It is because Israel is a rich tapestry of cultures, voices, perspectives and passions,” she continues. “Also because of Israel’s willingness to respect tradition in the arts while breaking boundaries. And, of course, it still runs on youthful energy.”
The TV show continues with a series of special guest stars, like actor Mike Burstyn, author Ruby Namdar, Grammy-nominated jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen, film director Eran Riklis, choreographer Adi Sha’al and many more.
Adi Sha’al, the CEO of the Vertigo Dance Company (photo credit: Cuny TV)
Adi Sha’al, the CEO of the Vertigo Dance Company (photo credit: Cuny TV)
“Being an Israeli writer, you are very much rooted in the land and in the culture that you are writing in,” says Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, the author of Waking Lions and One Night, Markovitch, which have both been translated into English. “And of course, every word written in contemporary Hebrew, for me, echoes something of the first Hebrew text, being the Bible.”
The CUNY series – which was produced in collaboration with the Israeli Consulate-General in New York – features footage of Israeli film, TV, dance and music interspersed with interviews.
“This project is one of the examples of the Consulate-General’s activities in New York to develop and promote Israeli culture throughout the United States and in particular in New York,” said New York Consul-General Dani Dayan. “Israeli cultural creation is one of the best in the world and is a source of pride. I have no doubt that Israeli artists are our best ambassadors.”