Orchestra pauses concert to play hostage Alon Ohel’s favorite song
Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod follows Idit Ohel’s call to play ‘Song Without A Name’ at 9 p.m. on June 10
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
During Tuesday night’s concert of the Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, guest pianist Omri Mor paused the performance at 9 p.m. to play “Song without a Name,” a favorite song of hostage Alon Ohel, inviting the audience to sing along.
As the orchestra played the Shalom Hanoch song written in memory of his nephew, who was killed in an IDF naval commando training accident in 1980, the orchestra and audience sang along softly, some wiping tears as they sang.
“Aye
darkness surrounds
hope that you are listening
maybe, maybe, maybe
you come and go to and from me
On my way going with me
landscapes and melodies
and faces, faces
you come and go to and from me”
Idit Ohel, the mother of Alon Ohel, had asked people to listen to the song on June 10 at 9 p.m., as an act of sending strength and prayers to her son.
Ohel, 24, was left behind in Gaza after his fellow captives, Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and then Eliya Cohen were freed during the most recent hostage deal, when 33 Israeli captives were released in January and February.
His fellow captives have told how Alon, a pianist, has endured throughout 20 months of captivity, playing imaginary piano on his chest, softly humming favorite songs and talking about his family.
Ohel sustained significant injuries on October 7, including shrapnel in his eye, when he was taken captive by Hamas terrorists from a field shelter near the Nova desert rave.
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