Dana sings for Limmud
ONE OF Israel’s most charismatic performers will make her Limmud Festival debut next month — the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Dana International.
The trans singer, known off stage as Sharon Cohen, said she was thrilled to take part in the five-day event in Birmingham.
“I look forward to singing my heart out with my Jewish brothers and sisters and I am happy and proud to be part of the World Zionist Organization delegation at Limmud,” she said.
“I’m also happy we’ll have a chance to talk about Israel, especially the culture and changes of the Israeli LGBTQ community, with Israeli TV interviewer Yigal Ravid — and that I will get to see Limmud in action.
“The Limmud programme looks great and I can’t wait to speak and perform, but also to hear some amazing talks from world-class presenters. Maybe I’ll meet a nice Jewish boy? Who knows?”
Israel’s first drag act, Dana became an LGBTQ icon after her Eurovision hit Diva propelled her to international attention.
Sarah Pinch, co-chair of the festival programming, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dana International to Limmud Festival through the WZO initiative. Her appearance helps cement Limmud as a truly international festival, welcoming a diverse range of performers and presenters.”
Other speakers confirmed in recent days include Emily Thornberry, Shadow Foreign Secretary and the most senior British political figure on the programme so far, and Pnina Tamano-Shata, the first Ethiopian woman to become a Knesset Member. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis will be returning to the event and the senior rabbi of the S & P Sephardi Community, Joseph Dweck, and Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Danny Rich will also attend.