During the coronavirus pandemic, ministries in Israel burst with creativity.

It has been almost six months since Israel introduced the first restrictions countrywide due to the coronavirus. At first it meant complete social isolation. And later, the government introduced new directives every couple of weeks. Lockdowns have kept the theaters closed and limited social events to a minimum, with only a few people allowed in attendance. 

One could think that the arts have been put entirely on hold. 

But in reality, artists found a new purpose in their craft – to diffuse hope across the world. What if art is an answer to crisis? In Italy, and later in other countries as well, musicians gave performances on their balconies. Interest in books and movies (especially on plagues) has surged. And facemasks have turned into canvases for artists everywhere. And in Israel?

We want to introduce you to Israeli ministries that have art at the forefront of their mission. In 2020, instead of suspending their work, they took it to a whole level. Just like the global art scene adapted to the universal state of crisis, the body of Messiah figured out a way to use the arts to bless Israel amid the pandemic. 

Yuval School of Music and the Arts

The changes happening at the Yuval School of Music and the Arts have been tremendous this year, and not just because of Covid-19. The founders of the school, Irit Iffert and Yael Kalisher, have passed on the baton to their successors, Yoel and Liel Davis. Now, with the summer coming to an end, the new leaders are ready to take the new school year by storm! 

The Yuval School is teaching believers of all ages how to be vessels of worship in their everyday lives. They offer classes in piano, guitar, bass, violin, percussion, and other, depending on interest. Additionally, the school has offered seminars for song writing, sound and music production and more. They have also co-produced worship and musical events throughout Israel. 

In the earlier part of the year many activities at Yuval were indeed put on hold. But when most summer camps in the land were called off, many families expressed interest in their children attending music classes. Yuval reactivated their work, some of it online, and met the need of the community, which proved to be a huge success. 

Change is something we cannot escape, and for artists it is important to stay creative and adapt. That is why Yuval is considering many variants of operation in the school year of 2020-21. Their model is to teach, inspire and create. So, with a high degree of ingenuity involved, they are confident to find new solutions for any circumstances. 

Fellowship of Artists

The Fellowship of Artists serves and encourages believers in the land in many ways. One of them is through music projects with local artists. While coronavirus put many things on hold, art is Israel through Fellowship of Artists continues to bloom. 

Creative and professional in their approach, they are building a community of musicians dedicated to making the praises of God commonplace in Israel. And it looks like even Covid-19 could not stand in their way.

The unexpected lockdowns and restrictions have encouraged ingenuity and networking. Travel bans turned into blessings in disguise. Artists who normally would be on tour were now at home, ready to collaborate. 

Having connected with many local artists, the Fellowship of Artists expanded their network significantly. Currently, they are expanding their studio and investing in new workstations, as they anticipate more growth. And if the enthusiasm at the ministry is any indication, the inspiration and creativity among believers in Israel are very much alive and well. 

One of their big triumphs in 2020 was collaborating with an Israeli artist Shilo Ben Hod. Shilo composed songs during long hours of worship before God and recorded an entire album during the pandemic. Defying the uncertainty of this season, Shilo reemerged on the Israeli music scene with sounds of praise and celebration.  

ALL ISRAEL

We’ve known this before, but the year 2020 only accentuated how therapeutic art can be. Art is an answer to crisis, because by engaging into a creative activity, we process what we are going through.

Whether it’s through music, visual arts, written word or dance, these means to express ourselves can show the outside world what is happening on the inside of us. Art helps us communicate and connect.

We are also recording history with our art. It is our legacy. Israeli ministries are making sure that when we return to our schools, concert halls and social gatherings, we will be in awe of how God carried us through. As the ultimate Artist and Creator, He shared with us the arts, so we can be a part of something bigger. 

Pastor Jordan Boyce had no idea that his trip to Israel would change everything. And it didn’t stop with him!