The Shalva Band, accompanied by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, performed a unique virtual ‘duet’ of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ with notable musicians from the United Arab Emirates in honor of Shalva’s 31st anniversary celebration aptly themed “Building Bridges to the Future”.  

The guest speaker was H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, one of the key architects of the Abraham Accords, which has expanded opportunities and collaboration  between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain.  

“It is an honor to participate in the American Friends of Shalva’s 31st anniversary event. The United Arab Emirates shares Shalva’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities. In the UAE, those with intellectual disabilities or special needs are referred to as people of determination, in recognition of their achievements across different fields.  The collaboration to create the special rendition of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ demonstrates how we must all continue to work together – regardless of nationality, religion or culture – to promote positive social change and foster more inclusive societies.” 

Ambassador Al Otaiba

Shalva, Israel’s leading center for people with disabilities organized this moving musical collaboration, led by the Shalva Band, which comprises eight talented musicians with disabilities, to signify the start of a lasting and strong partnership between Israel and the UAE working together for the greater good of humanity.  
Shalva has already begun actively working together with their UAE counterparts with the goal of advancing the field of disability-care across the region.   

The popular generational hit was chosen to be the anthem for this budding partnership for its uplifting message and the combination of Hebrew, Arabic and English, sending a powerful message of unity, peace and cooperation in a way only music can. The Israeli and Emirati musicians performed the song in its original English with verses sung in Hebrew by the Shalva Band and in Arabic by Emirati singer, Tareq Al Menhali.    

Shalva’s Founder and President, Kalman Samuels shared, “We have chosen ‘Building Bridges to the Future’ as the theme for our 31st Anniversary Celebration to reflect the way in which Shalva is inspiring a more inclusive society, building bridges between individuals with disabilities and their broader community with a particular focus on our newly developing relationships in the Arab world as part of the Abraham Accords.”  

Shalva’s Global Chairman, Avi Samuels said, “This special cover version has been prepared, we believe for the very first time, in English, Hebrew and Arabic to represent the coming together of our respective countries and the optimism we share that with love, understanding and co-operation we will make the world a better place”