"If I could (be a finalist) it would be life-changing"

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Rocking out atop the Jewish Agency’s parade float as it rolled through the Upper East Side of Manhattan, in the recent “Celebrate Israel” parade, Stamford teen Annie Nirschel was hoping her voice will soon carry her on an even bigger trip.
Nirschel, a student at the Academy for Information Technology & Engineering, is one of 300 aspiring singers who submitted a video audition to Halleluja—an international singing contest sponsored by the Jewish Agency, Masa: Israel Journey, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Museum of the Jewish People, Nativ, The Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and the Municipality of Ramat HaSharon. If she is selected as one of 30 finalists (out of hundreds of entries), she will embark this summer on a three-week whirlwind tour of Israel to visit historical and religious sites, meet with well-known Israeli recording artists and rehearse for a nationally televised grand finale concert at the Ramat Hasharon Tennis Stadium.
The finalists, selected by a panel of well-known Israeli musicians, including Yehoram Gaon, David Broza, Achinoam Nini and Hanan Yovel, and DJ Skazi, were scheduled to be announced on June 23, after the Ledger went to press.
“If I could (be a finalist) it would be life-changing,” said Nirschel, who started singing at minor league baseball games when she was seven.

Annie Nirschel

Whether she makes it to Ramat Hasharon or not, Nirschel’s performance on the Jewish Agency float was an opportunity for her to bridge two of her biggest passions—vocal performance and Judaism.  Aboard the float, she sang about both the Jewish peoplehood and the desire for peace.
“I went to [the Bi-Cultural Day School] for 9 years,” she said. “Judaism has always played a very important role in my life. Since I got into public school, I haven’t had as much involvement in Judaism as I’d like.”
According to Barry Spielman, a spokesman for the Jewish Agency, the contest was created to inspire young people in Nirschel’s exact situation.
“If we are to maintain or establish the next generation’s connection to the Jewish people,” Spielman said  “There is a vital role for programming that empowers young adults to use their creativity and talents in expressing what it means to them to be a part of the Jewish people and to love Israel.”