The New
Jerusalem Fire Choir
The New Jerusalem Fire Choir is a thirty-five member choir composed
of professional male and female vocalists and a five-piece band,
specializing in traditional and contemporary gospel, reggae, popular
music, classical compositions and upbeat originals. Whatever the style
of music, their unique arrangements coupled with their sincere desire to
“make a joyful noise” make their live performances without peer!
Under the dynamic directorship of Elianai Ben Israel, Eleshevah Baht
Israel (also known as "Sister Soul" in the Holy Land), and Yahirah Baht
Israel, the New Jerusalem Fire Choir is the essence of their name. They
sing and perform with a shimmering urgency and power that is nothing
less than fiery! This carefully balanced blend of voices, dedicated to
spreading the word of Yah in song, has stunned Israeli audiences on many
a stage since their debut in 1984. This gifted group of artists has
performed to national and international acclaim at numerous historical
and national sites, including Sultan’s Pools in Jerusalem where they
hosted such greats as Shirley Caesar and Barry White, and Bet She’an
Amphitheater near the Sea of Galilee. As part of the 1992 “Gospel in the
Holy Land” tour (on-site taping), they brought down the house at the Bat
Yam Country Club.
During Stevie Wonder’s 1995 Tel Aviv performance finale,
“Conversation Peace”, the New Jerusalem Fire Choir took center stage as
guest stars, adding rich and harmonic background. They are remembered
for their unique and noteworthy classical performance at the Susan Dalal
Center featuring Bach compositions, and were featured at the opening
ceremony of the 1997 Maccabee Olympic games. The Fire Choir also hosted
and sang accompaniment to world-renowned vocalist extraordinaire Whitney
Houston, as she was baptized on the banks of the Jordan River in the
summer of 2004. Their most recent highlight was to perform for the
historical Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the brainchild of
Dr. Martin Luther King, in their recent visit to the Holy Land in the
spring of 2005.
In addition, the Fire Choir has shone forth their versatility on the
Don Shilon Show, Zeh Hoo Zeh and many other top-rated television
programs. They have shared the stage with most popular Israeli artists,
including Rita, Ophrah Kazah, Boaz Sharabi, Yoram Gaon and recorded one
of Israel’s favorite and internationally known tunes - Halleluyah - with
its original composer Colbe Oshrat.
CREDITS
- Note of appreciation - “Conversation Peace” CD - Stevie Wonder -
1996
- "Gospel in the Holy Land" video cassette (re-released as “Roots
of Gospel”)
- "A New Heaven" CD – 2001
- “Choose Life” CD - 2005
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