President Reuven Rivlin sings with Koolulam. (Youtube/Screenshot)

“Let’s sing together,” the president said. “Religious, secular, Arabs, Jews, soldiers, women, men, children … let’s put aside everything that divides and unites us, what unites us and brings us together – it’ll be fun!”

President Reuven Rivlin and leading vocalist Shlomi Shabat were among 12,000 Israelis of diverse backgrounds who came together to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Jewish state in song.

“Al Kol Eleh” – which means “about all these things” – is a moving, patriotic song composed in 1980 by Naomi Shemer, the “first lady of Israeli song and poetry.” The theme is acceptance of the good with the bad, such as “the honey and the bee sting,” referring to both the joyous and the sorrowful events in Jewish and Israeli history.

Rivlin had partnered with the social music initiative Koolulam together with the Ministry of Social Equality and the Municipality of Tel Aviv.

“Let’s sing together,” the president said. “Religious, secular, Arabs, Jews, soldiers, women, men, children … let’s put aside everything that divides and unites us, what unites us and brings us together – it’ll be fun!”

The event took place last week, ahead of Israeli Independence Day, in Tel Aviv! Watch to see Israelis of all ages passionately singing in tribute to the State of Israel!