Israeli pop star captivates Penn audience

In the midst of a recession, escalating tensions throughout the world and even the everyday struggles of college life, it often seems that situations are doomed for the future.

Israeli pop star, David Broza, assures his audiences that things will get better eventually, however.

Capping last night's performance at the packed University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology's Harrison Auditorium, Broza sang an encore of his most famous song, Yiheye Tov (It will be well), to a captive audience, many of whom sang along with the artist.

The song was inspired by watching Egyptian prime minister, Anwar Sadat, first set foot on Israeli soil during the 1977 Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty.

"I thought we would put it behind us in two months or so," Broza said.

Yiheye Tov is currently his most popular song.

The tri-lingual singer -- Hebrew, Spanish and English -- is touring colleges promoting his most recent album All or Nothing.

Broza sang all but three of his performances in Hebrew, two being in Spanish and one in English -- the announcement that he would sing a couple Spanish songs brought a noticeable cheer from the back of the room.

Last night's performance brought fans from all over the East Coast and featured a particularly boisterous native-Israeli section.

"It was fantastic," Ofra Stark said in Hebrew. The Philadelphia resident formerly lived in Haifa, Israel. "I like the way he plays the guitar, and he has songs that really touch your heart."

Broza contacted Penn Hillel during the summer about the possibility of stopping at Penn during the tour. After a good turnout two years ago when he was promoting his 2000 album, Isla Mujeros, and given his general popularity in the community, Hillel enthusiastically agreed.

The event was also co-sponsored by the Israel Consulate General, Social Planning and Events Committee and the Israeli Program Center.

"He was great, the music was great, the crowd was great," Hillel Social Committee Chairman and College sophomore Mat Miller said. "It couldn't have gone any better."

Despite being a tour for All or Nothing, Broza sang only two songs from his newest of 19 albums.

The popular Israeli singer engaged the crowd during every song, incorporating and even encouraging, the audience to sing along.

"Every time he does certain songs, he jams to them," 2001 Graduate School of Education graduate Mia Dansky said. "He knows the music so well, and he knows the guitar so well that he can afford to play around."

Broza concluded the concert in the same way that he did two years ago -- with a love song, Mitachat laShamaim (Under the sky), followed by the encore presentation of Yiheye Tov.

But during this rendition of Mitachat laShamaim, the audience brought the candle-waving phenomenon into the 21st century. Begun by one person, gradually much of the left side of the concert held up the metallic green cell phone lights to add to the atmosphere.

An engaging and enthusiastic performer, Broza did not leave attendees disappointed.

Outside on 33rd Street, it was clear -- all will be well.

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