In Their Own Words

"The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra has been an important part of Israel's musical and cultural life for nearly 90 years. Orchestras such as this are essential not only for artistic excellence, but also for preserving cultural tradition and human connection, especially in difficult times. I sincerely hope that the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra will receive the support necessary to continue its important work in the years ahead."

"I was astonished and shocked to learn about the real danger of closing the 90–year old Jerusalem Symphony orchestra, which has played a very important role in the culture of the capital of Israel the country and the whole Jewish world. It is clear that high culture is as indispensable for the normal life of any country as education, defence and science. That is why every civilised country has in its capital a full symphony orchestra and sometimes more than one. I do not believe that a country like Israel which is so successful in economy, finance, science and the arts cannot find a relatively modest budget for such a good orchestra which for many decades has been an excellent ambassador of our country around the world. To shamefully close it means to give an awful blow not only to the cultural life of our capital, but to the prestige of Israel."

"I have had a pleasure to perform with the wonderful Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra on many memorable occasions since well over half a century and I am very much looking forward to participating in their 90th Anniversary Season next year alongside their outstanding Music Director, my old dearest friend and colleague, Julian Rachlin!

I was obviously completely and utterly shocked to hear about the current crisis and find it absolutely unthinkable and unimaginable that such an important cultural institution might no longer exist!

They deserve unreserved support from all possible sides and directions and I can only sincerely hope for another miracle in Jerusalem!"

"What makes Israel special is its amazing range of what makes a country a great one, in spite of this country’s complicated story, it always strived to embrace the arts and music, for which there are always huge amount of great talent available. To lose the great Jerusalem Symphony for me is a simply unimaginable tragedy - a great orchestra with great musicians, who simply will lose their jobs, and will start looking for new jobs elsewhere in the world, or worse, be unemployed in Israel - it cannot be allowed!!!"

"It was a great joy for me to make music with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra!

I fully experienced both the genuine orchestral culture and the highest level of musicianship of the orchestra, including in the chamber concert.

But above all, I was deeply touched by the musicians' love for art, their dedication, and the care and sensitivity with which they create music.

I wish all the very best to the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra!"

"The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra represents a remarkable artistic tradition that is deeply important to preserve for future generations. It is not only part of cultural history, but also a living source of inspiration, humanity, and connection."

"I am deeply saddened to learn that the Jerusalem Symphony is at risk of disappearing.

It is inconceivable that a city of such historic, spiritual, and cultural significance could lose an institution that embodies the artistic soul of its society.

Every possible effort must be made to preserve this national heritage, so that music continues to inspire, unite, and serve as a source of pride for Jerusalem and for Israel as a whole."

"I love the JSO very much, they are a big part of the music life in Jerusalem and in Israel. Their work through the years is of first quality, especially in promoting Israeli music. Through their work they give the name Jerusalem another beautiful and very important aspect. In the last years the orchestra became a home to many young Israeli musicians giving the public the best of the young generation. It would be a great loss to the cultural life and I hope very much a solution will be found."

"For the past 85 years, the Jerusalem Symphony has been at the heart and soul of music, not only for its home city but for thousands of listeners in the country. In today’s difficult times, support is needed more than ever. Keeping the music alive is a critical part of the orchestra's mission. I sincerely hope that you will help sustain this very important component of Israel’s culture."

"We live in troubled times with various wars and conflicts happening in different places. In such times we all need something that helps us to survive, to remain human and to maintain empathy. Live classical music is one such forum where concerts - creating that special connection between musicians and their audience - allows the development of emotions, empathy and values.

Symphony orchestras have existed on our planet already for few hundreds of years and throughout the ages, concerts were not only about entertainment, but also a form of education for souls and hearts. I really hope that all governments understand the value of their symphony orchestras - as part of their history as well as part of their future. The Jerusalem Symphony is an orchestra that is preparing to celebrate their 90th anniversary next year. I hope this remarkable orchestra, with it’s great and long history, will be provided with the financial security needed to continue their wonderful activity, giving all of us a chance to enjoy their concerts for many more years. Sending my support for the musicians of the JSO and their wonderful Music Director, Julian Rachlin, to win this battle for existence with the help of their friends, their partners and supporters from all around the world."

"As the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra approaches its 90th anniversary season, the thought that such a historic institution could be forced to close is deeply tragic — for its wonderful musicians, for its loyal audiences, and for the cultural life of Israel as a whole.

The Orchestra has grown and developed alongside the State of Israel itself, accompanying generations through moments of joy, challenge, remembrance, and hope. It represents not only musical excellence, but also the enduring human spirit, cultural tradition, and artistic values that are such an essential part of Israeli society.

On both a national and international level, it is vital that Israel be known not only for its achievements in technology, science, and security, but also for its profound commitment to culture, classical music, education, and the arts. The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra is an irreplaceable part of that legacy.

I wholeheartedly support this appeal and sincerely hope that the Orchestra will receive the support it urgently needs to continue its important mission for many years to come."

"The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra is not only a musical treasure, but one of the cultural touchstones of Israel. To lose or even jeopardize an institution of this importance, one whose very history mirrors that of its people, would be an enormous failing of society. In a city like Jerusalem, the understanding of historical relevance - and the resonances of music - over long spans of time should be among the easiest to understand. The very ground upon which people walk is soaked, saturated, supported with its history, that history is not only something from many thousands of years ago, but is also something that is being created today. The cause and purpose of the musicians of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra are not only worthy of support, respect, recognition, but also love.

Many of the guest artists, like myself, who have traveled to Jerusalem in difficult and perhaps even unsafe moments, have done so in solidarity with the musicians and institution that are the JSO. The world, its artists, its audiences, do care deeply what future is in store for this wonderful orchestra, its musicians, and as part of the cultural legacy of the State of Israel.

I invite anyone and everyone to join me in supporting the cultural mission of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra: to bring humanity together through the peaceful and inclusive act of making and sharing music."

"It is with great sadness that I heard about the difficulties the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra is currently facing. I am well aware of what my beloved Israel is currently up against, but, in my humble opinion, this makes the existence of this wonderful orchestra - based in the nation’s capital, no less - even more essential, pertinent and worth fighting for. If the legend is true, during WW2 Churchill was asked to approve some significant cuts to the British culture funding, and he refused, saying “if we do this, what are we fighting for?”. I urge everyone to do whatever is in their power to protect this outstanding ensemble and ensure their continued existence."

"Wherever music dies everything dies with it. What is left of a country, a city, a capital (and not just any capital… ) when it’s music stops. Music that is love, music that brings us together, that radiates harmony, that is the only hope the only escape that is left.

As a kid with my mother and father I grew up with the concerts of the Jerusalem Symphony. Not being able to attend their concerts in person, yet listening to the orchestra on the radio and on the television. It was as essential as to listen to the news. It was not a matter of pleasure but rather a question of life or death.

Wherever music dies everything dies with it a country, a city that kills its orchestra kills its soul. Jerusalem the eternal capital of us all should sing forever it’s songs of the angels can never fade."

"I am in a shock to learn that the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra is facing problems in the future. It is now a very good orchestra with a high level of musicians and concerts. It gained a strong international reputations. It is also the orchestra of the capital of Israel. It must be avoided, that this orchestra could experience any problems in the future as it is an important part of the cultural life in Israel and its history. It is important, that JSO will receive the necessary funds and support in the interest of the capital Jerusalem, the audiences and music lovers in Israel and its cultural life"

"I first became acquainted with JSO a few years ago… It is an orchestra with a passionate will to make music, to set ambitious goals, and to achieve them… I was fascinated by the musicians’ powerful yet at the same time extraordinarily nuanced playing, as well as by their openness to new musical experiences and challenges. JSO is an institution marked by exceptionally high artistic quality. From the bottom of my heart, I encourage preserving JSO as a cultural and global musical treasure, because it is a value that heals our hearts and souls."

"A big shame on the country of Israel and the municipality of the city of Jerusalem to allow this to deteriorate to a real threat to the existence of this wonderful orchestra. This was my home for 6 years in the beginning of my career as a trumpet player, and I was privileged to come back years later as a conductor. It consists of great musicians, including my very own daughter, Gaia, and many good friends. This orchestra should never be closed and must keep being one of Israel’s top cultural institutions forever. Anyone with the capacity to help should get engaged. התזמורת הסימפונית ירושלים Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra"

"The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra has been an integral part of Israel’s cultural landscape since 1938, even before the establishment of the State of Israel. For nearly nine decades, it has served generations of audiences, musicians, and music lovers, enriching the cultural life of our society through artistic excellence and public service.

The closure of such a historic institution—particularly at a time when Israel is facing significant challenges and uncertainty—would send a deeply troubling message about the place of culture in our society. Preserving long-standing cultural institutions is not only an investment in music; it is an investment in the resilience, identity, and spirit of the country itself.

I wholeheartedly support the efforts to secure the future of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and hope that it will continue its important mission for many years to come."

"Wholeheartedly and passionately I would like to add my voice to the chorus of those who are genuinely alarmed by the imminent financial crisis the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra finds itself in due to severe and sudden cuts in public funding! For thousands of years two things have always defined the unbreakable resilience of Jewish people: Hope and Music! Without Hope there would be no Life, without Music there will be no Hope!

I implore the Government of Israel and its decision makers in the sphere of public spending, to continue, and wherever possible, increase (!) its support of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and Israel’s cultural sector in general. As a nation and as a country Israel finds itself under an unprecedented assault on so many fronts… Music has for centuries proven to be an irreplaceable source of spiritual strength, comfort, solace and mental healing. A “communal” act of listening to a symphony orchestra helps to build bridges: listening together helps us to listen to each other…! Potentially silencing the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, one of Israel’s oldest and leading cultural institutions, will only lead to the weakened moral among tens of thousands of its dedicated listeners, will rob generations of music lovers of high quality orchestral performances in Jerusalem and around the country and ultimately undermine Israel’s cultural heritage!

I stand with Israel, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and its Music Director Julian Rachlin!"

"I encourage everyone to help the fine musicians of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and their outstanding Music Director, Julian Rachlin."

"I am writing to express my deepest support and admiration for the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

My collaboration with the orchestra has been a true highlight of my musical life. From the very first note, I felt a deep sense of partnership and a shared devotion to the music. There is a unique warmth and intensity in their playing — a quality that sets them apart and stays with you long after the last note.

A great deal of credit goes to their wonderful Music Director, Julian Rachlin. His vision and dedication are an inspiration, and the bond between him and the musicians is palpable in every phrase. To have shared the stage with them under his baton is something I treasure greatly.

The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra is far more than an orchestra. It is a vital cultural beacon — a living testament to the unifying power of art. In a world that often feels fractured, their work reminds us of beauty, dialogue, and shared humanity. I believe such an institution is not just important; it is essential.

We are already looking forward to future projects together, and I know that our partnership will continue to grow. I wholeheartedly wish the orchestra continuing prosperity, artistic triumphs, and the recognition it so richly deserves. May its voice only grow stronger in the years to come."