Israel?

[liav_t]

I never heard about Prof. Ira Nadel. Who is he? What was the lecture about?
If you think contacting him will help, we should do it. I would loop up his E-mail now, but I think I'd like to know something about him before. (And, It might be better is somebody who actually knows him will do the takling).
I sent an E-mail to Guy Hajaj, a Ynet culture writer, who is also keen on leonard coming in the summer.
(http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3518620,00.html).
Thanks for all the help!

[ziggi]

i already bought tickets for the amsterdam gig! i would feel kind of silly flying to holland just to see him and then returning to catch him in the "zappa" or wherever..
but nevertheless, two is better than one.
i'll see you all when he comes.

[yonatan_levi]

I think me and my friends are going to buy tickets to a European show anyway, just in case he does pass us by...
Liav, Prof. Nadel wrote a book about Leonard and he was a guest of the Hebrew university two weeks ago. He gave a lecture about the proccess of writing that book and spoke about Leonard in the last couple of years (and added some detailes regarding the upcoming summer tour). It was really nice. I don't think it should be too hard to find his e-mail address and it might be helpful since he's in touch with Cohen's close circle.

[liav_t]

Firstly, any talk about being able to see Leonard perform in europe causes me physical pain
Secondly, I've written a letter to Prof. Nadel as suggested. I took the E-mail address from here: http://faculty.arts.ubc.ca/inadel/
Anyone who knows a better E-mail address will be greatly rewarded by his conscience by letting me know.

The letter:
Dear Prof. Nadel,
I have recently heard Mr. Leonard Cohen will go on tour this summer in europe. To the disappointment of his many Israeli fans, the tour currently does not include Israel. Furthermore, we are kept in the dark as to the reason Israel is currently not a part of the tour. We are doing everything we can to bring Mr. Cohen to perform here.
A facebook group on the subject was established this week, and has been growing steadly since: "Leonard Cohen -Please Don't Pass Us By! Include Israel in your tour" -http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7210614962
I am sending this letter to you, because you are a known expert on Mr. Cohen life and works, and because you know him personally.
Please, do not consider this direct letter rude, as it is written with great love to Mr. Cohen's works from his fans in Israel, I amongst them.
As an expert, I hope you can answer the following question: Does Mr. Cohen have a reason for not wanting to come to Israel?
I, and all the Israeli fans, would be infinitely grateful if you passed our great love and hope to Mr Cohen.
Yours Sincerely,
Liav Teichner
Haifa, Israel


Thanks for the idea Yonatan. Hope it works.
"First we take Tel-Aviv-Yafo, then we perform in Berlin"

[yonatan_levi]

Yeah, I hope it helps somehow. We've got 113 members as for now... We need many more how do we do that?

[liav_t]

Basically, I believe anyone already in facebook that cares about the subject will join very soon. The problem is that this group is limited only to people in facebook. Can you think of an alternative? I thought about an internet petition of sorts...

[yonatan_levi]

Yes, we can do that also, but the question is - how will people get to the petition? Oh, and did you get any reply yet to any of your letters?

[liav_t]

When people hear about the group they sometimes say - "I suppot the cause but I will not join facebook". So basicaly getting to people sign on a petition is done just the same, without the pre-requiremnt of having a face book account I'll look into petitions tonight or tomorrow. of course you are more than welcome to start one & advertise if you came across a good site for it.
Got an answer from Prof. Nadel just this morning:

Dear Liav Teichner: I'm afraid the answer is prosaic. No time in the schedule, nor a promoter who would most likely guarantee the kind of fees Cohen is likely demanding for this tour. There is no objection to visiting Israel but it may not make economic sense for him and, given his other dates, there may be little time. I'll try to find out further information, however.
With good wishes -- Ira Nadel

PS - I'm sorry you did not attend my talk on
Cohen on 6 March at Hebrew Univ. for the
Halbert Center. The audience was enthusiastic.


Not the most promising answer, but:
a. Leonard has no personal reason for not wanting to come, it seems. I'll try to find out what's going the shuki's office, and inform him about the group.
b. The last line is great because it means that maybe he'll contact Leonard directly - The best thing we could ask for.

I'll write the response tonight, and would of course welcome any input.

Hope Econimic sense will not prevail!

p.s. I'm going to the safarri today!
p.s.s Plan B: being attacked suddenly by egypt. The seder is probably the best time the get the full dramatic effect.

[jarkko]

Guys, just relax and wait patiently

[yonatan_levi]

Hmm... What are you implying?

[liav_t]

Jarkko, if you know of any reason to be optimistic, please do tell us. If you read my previous message, you would know that I am in the midst of planning an invasion to Israel by egypt. Think of the trouble you could save the world, just by giving some information! And seriously, Thanks for noticing and giving some place for optimism.

Meanwhile, we will keep doing what we can.

[liav_t]

I faxed Shuki Weiss a letter today. I mentioned the great fan interest inside and outside the group, and requested for any information he may give us. I can't post it here (I think) as it is in hebrew. Anyone wanting a copy can just to and ask for one: liav.teichner@gmail.com
hope it helps, Liav.

[Einat]

Our group keeps on growing- more than 200 people have joined in only about 3 days !
Add their parents and their grannies and youre filling the Amphi in Keisaria in seconds!
Thank you Liav for writing the letters , I thought you were going to the Safari btw, what are doing planning an invation?

Thanks also for posting Prof Nadel's email, it was nice of him to reply immediately. I have to say I'm more encouraged by Jarkko's smiley than by Prof Nadel's reply , but I think I can guarantee you wont be able to squeeze from Jarkko any further information- he is resilient !!

It would be incredibly silly and unbelievable if Cohen will not perform in Israel because of production problems . That would be like the 60's Beatles fiasco all over again.
I know Shuki Weiss has a proven record of bringing famous artists to Israel , but there must be others too , or perhaps potential sponsors ? (How about the Minstry of Culture, The Peres Centre for peace (they bring celebs) , Mifal Ha-Pais , or shall we launch a huge 'Shnor' campaign ourselves ?! )

[Henning]

When Jarkko says relax and be patient, I am quite sure that there is something in the pipeline for Israel.

[yonatan_levi]

Yes, it's not like Shuki Weiss is the only Israeli producer around, that's why I thought of involving the Canadian embassy, for example. Anyhow, I bet everyone in the business has tried to do something about it, it's not like they needed us to inform them about Leonard's tour... Oh, and there's also this whole Israel's 60th anniversary thing, which could be used as a supplementary excuse for our national demands towards Cohen