Dovid Yehoshua’s name is getting out to the public very quickly. His debut album, released in early June, already has him doing interviews throughout the Israeli media including Arutz Sheva, Reshet Bet, and Radio Kol Chai to name but a few. His video for the single “Yerushalayim” is gaining popularity on the internet.
Born in London, England, Dovid moved to Israel about five years ago. He served in a fighting unit station in Gaza as part of the Hesder yeshiva program that combines army service with yeshiva study. The album, entitled “Witnessing Eyes— V’sechezena Einenu,” is catchy and easy to get into. This album has a unique mix of Jewish pop/acoustic guitar-based/light rock and ballads. One track has a reggae feel, another has an electric guitar solo, while other tracks have strings and a horn section. Dovid Yehoshua sings, plays guitar, and composes the music. All the lyrics are in Hebrew and based on Jewish themes with traditional sources such as “Lecha Dodi,” “Shir HaMa’alot” and “Asher Bara.” An exception is “Yerushalayim,” an upbeat tune which mixes English lyrics with the Israeli classic Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold). I had the chance to talk with the young singer for my show on Israel National Radio, about his music, making aliyah and climbing the Old City walls.
What is the story behind the song “Yerushalayim”?
Several years back I was in Yeshivat HaKotel in the Old City. There was a competition between overseas yeshiva programs called “Battle of the Bands.” We used the song “Yerushalayim” as our yeshiva’s entry. Even though it didn’t win, I knew we had to use it in the album. My next stage was to ask the family of Naomi Shemer for permission. As you can imagine, it wasn’t the simplest thing. The family until now had said, “you know this is THE song of Naomi Shemer,” and they didn’t want me to use it. I sent them the music and lyrics and they loved it and gave me permission. I’m very thankful to them. The song talks about the love of Jerusalem, and the desire for it to be together; whole, and one. As it says in the song, “Behold I am a violin for all your songs” the violin being the central instrument in the orchestra. This can be a prayer to G-d that Jerusalem should remain one, and be the center of Eretz Yisrael for Am Yisrael. The lyrics in the song are “there’s something about this place we love.”
What is that “something”?
If you can put your finger on it, then you tell me. You have to be there to feel it. I don’t think there’s a single person who has been to Jerusalem and hasn’t felt it— Jewish or not. It’s that beauty, that kedushah— the special thing you feel when you’re standing in the place where the Beit Hamikdash once stood and where it will stand again. Tell us about the video for the song. We wanted something that shows the beauty of Jerusalem. I wanted to show the city as both ancient and modern. It’s not just “Yerushalayim shel Pa’am” (Jerusalem of Yore). The video starts with me standing on the walls of the Old City. Getting up there is quite a story.
Ok, so how did you get up there? Did you have a safety harness?
No, there was nothing holding me there. I’m actually standing there on my own two feet. We went to the Old City and I found the highest location possible. Somehow, I found a way up. We’ll keep it a secret how I actually got all the way up there.
Do you have any interesting concert stories?
The first time I really performed in front of an audience was when I was about 5 years old. I was at the dedication of a yeshiva in Ma’ale Adumim. There was a band playing and everyone was singing and dancing. Little Dovid Yehoshua got up there on the stage and with his hands in his pockets stood up on the chair and started singing. No one knew why I was there or where I came from, but I just started singing.
What do you suggest to other people interested in moving to Israel?
You just have to embrace it. It doesn’t matter if you’re from England or anywhere else. Making aliyah is a challenge. There’s no other place for the Jews. I used to walk down the streets of England without any problems, but unfortunately in the last few years, there have been some anti-Semitic attacks. People would shout at me when they saw a kippah on my head, “Go home, go home.” And there was nothing I could say to them in response because I wasn’t home. But now I’m home, in Israel. This is my land. Our Jerusalem, our . This is what we have been dreaming about and we’re really approaching the redemption. We’re building up the country, working our way to the redemption. It’s an amazing thing to be part of.
For more information on Dovid Yehoshua and the album check out www.dovidyehoshua.com. °
