Benefit concert for Ruhama Children's Home: Singing for Peace!

Benefit concert for Ruhama Children's Home: Singing for Peace!

On November 11, 2025, the Shalom Choir Berlin will hold a benefit concert in the Old BVV Hall of the Steglitz Town Hall. The event starts at 7 p.m. and entry is free; However, donations are still requested at the exit. The proceeds from the concert go directly to the Ruhama Children's Home in Kibbutz Ruhama, which is in the catchment area of ​​the sister city Sderot. The kibbutz is currently inhabited by 650 residents, including 250 children.

The children's home is particularly in need of renovation work because it was used as accommodation for soldiers at the beginning of the war. The deputy district mayor Tim Richter will give a welcoming speech before the concert begins. This concert is part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the partnership between Steglitz-Zehlendorf and Sderot.

An interreligious sign of solidarity

The Shalom Choir was founded in 1994 by Cantor Estrongo Nachama in the Steglitz Baptist Community. Its goal is to promote Jewish-Christian dialogue and synagogue choral music in Berlin. The choir works closely with the Jewish National Fund Germany e.V. and the Elsbach Foundation to ensure that the income is distributed locally. The choir stands for a sign of peace and community in times when these values ​​are particularly important.

The Hebrew word “Shalom,” meaning peace, carries a deeper meaning. The origin of the word, “shalam,” implies restoration and completeness. This meaning is clear in the Hebrew Bible, where it is often used in contexts having to do with reparation and inner completeness. It is a concept that plays a central role in the Jewish and Christian traditions and is reflected in many aspects of life.

Background of the kibbutz and current challenges

The Ruhama Children's Home is not only a place for education and care, but also plays a desperate role for the survivors from the nearby Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which was completely destroyed on October 7, 2023. Many of the refugee residents have found refuge in Ruhama and urgently need support.

The event next Monday is seen as a further step to promote interreligious dialogue and understanding between communities. In the context of the current conflicts and challenges facing the region, the concert could represent a ray of hope for many participants. It drives home the message that despite difficult times, peace and solidarity are possible.

Further information about the benefit concert, including the venue, can be found on the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district website. Take the opportunity to get to know Berlin's rich cultural heritage while making a necessary contribution to supporting those in need.

For those interested, there are more details about the meaning of Shalom in Jewish tradition on here too firmisrael.org and to the story on onthisday.com.