100% of funds raised by this concert will go to Anera, a U.S.-based nonprofit with no political or religious affiliations.

Today we welcome Piney Kesting, a member of Anera’s Board of Directors.

From Anera: “Since 1968, Anera has helped refugees and others hurt by conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan live with purpose and hope.

Anera, which has no political or religious affiliation, works on the ground with partners in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Lebanon and Jordan. We mobilize resources for immediate emergency relief and for sustainable, long-term health, education, and economic development. Our staff serve in their communities, navigating the politics that constrict progress to get help where it’s needed most.

That’s how Anera received more than $171 million in support of programs in 2023 alone, and it’s how we will keep building better lives until hope finds its way in the Middle East.

Gaza is suffering. Before October 7, 2023, about 80% of Gaza's 2.3 million people needed humanitarian aid. Now, almost everyone urgently needs help. Anera is providing food, water, medicine, and hygiene kits to those in Gaza affected by the war. Donate now to help innocent people in Gaza.”

Lina Malshy, violin and artistic director

Palestinian violinist Lina Malshy traveled from her hometown of Haifa to Boston to complete a degree in Film and Media Scoring from Berklee College of Music. As a composer, she seeks to write music about the untold stories of resistance and resilience around the world. She performs with the New York Arabic Orchestra, Boston Arabic Music Ensemble, and many others.

Basem Batbota, percussion

Originally from Syria, Basem relocated to Watertown in 2019. He specializes in the riqq (tambourine), darbuka (goblet drum), and katem. He performs with various ensembles in the Boston area and teaches private lessons for students of all ages.

alejandro castellano, oud

alejandro is a Colombian born multi-instrumentalist. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he is fluent in multiple styles of music ranging from Arabic maqam to alternative post-punk. Principal teachers include Simon Shaheen (oud), Bassam Saba (nay), Bill Zito (classical guitar), and Yago Santos (flamenco guitar). In addition to performing, alejandro is a music educator on the faculty of Whole Tone Music Academy, In Home Jams, and in his private studio.

Georges Chedid, accordion

Georges initially trained as a classical pianist before taking up the accordion. The accordion in Middle Eastern ensembles is specially tuned to play quarter tones, and Georges is proud to share its unique sound with the world. Growing up between Boston and Beirut, he has worked in oncology research and is now a resident physician in internal medicine at Mount Auburn Hospital.

Ghaleb Daouk

A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Dr. Daouk is a long-time resident of the Boston area where he specializes in pediatric kidney diseases at the Boston Children’s Hospital, as his daytime profession. He started his musical education through the flute later in life, and discovered the nay with the late Bassam Saba, world renowned flute and nay performer, and as a regular participant of the yearly Arabic Music Retreat directed by Simon Shaheen and Jihad Racy. Together with friends, career musicians, and colleagues, he co-founded the Boston Arabic Music Ensemble (BAME) that continues to perform throughout the Boston area.

Susana Hajjar, voice

Dr. Susana Hajjar Azkul was born in Venezuela to Syrian parents, and she moved to Syria when she was two years old. She obtained a Medical Doctor's degree from Damascus University and a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of New Hampshire. Susana hails from a family that is passionate about music, singing, and poetry, and she started singing at a young age. In 2018 she joined the Astaza ensemble at Boston College where she sang in the choir and began vocal training with Professor Nizar Fares. She is also a member of Jazal choir at the Center for Arabic Culture.

Alyssa Lawson, cello, concert coordinator

Alyssa Lawson holds a master's degree in Cello Performance from Boston University, as well as an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA. She has studied music of the Arab world with Jihad Racy, Simon Shaheen, and Naseem Alatrash. Alyssa is on the faculty of the Suzuki School of Newton and performs with the Spectacle Collective String Quartet.

Alma Richeh, voice

Alma is the Executive Director and Choir Director at the Center of Arabic Culture. A native of Damascus, Syria, she is a professor of Arabic Culture, Social Science & Policy Studies, and sings for justice, the spirit and the land. 

Fadi Saba, piano

Born in Damascus, Syria, Fadi started playing piano by ear at age 8 while concurrently joining the Al Farah Choir as a chorister and later becoming the choir piano accompanist. After immigrating to the U.S., Fadi pursued his studies in piano with Timothy McFarland, the pipe organ with Peter Sykes, and jazz performance with Peter Janson, Nando Michelin, and Emil Afrasiyab. His passion for various genres of music led him to perform solo piano works by Bill Evans and earn the first jury prize for his performance of Edward Grieg’s compositions. In addition to performance, Fadi has written and produced music that blends middle eastern and western styles. Fadi is currently studying jazz while performing with various ensembles in Boston and New York.

Jamal Sinno, qanun

A native of Lebanon, Jamal studied music performance at the Lebanese Conservatory in Beirut. Since emigrating to the USA in 1980, he has performed in prestigious concert halls around the world, including with the National Arab Orchestra, Simon Shaheen, and Iraqi artist Kathem al Saher. He is a visiting artist with Astaza and the Boston Arabic Music Ensemble.

Patrick Tabet, voice

Patrick Tabet is a Boston based, Lebanese-American artist. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy specializing in Neurologic Music Therapy, and is a Medical Massage Therapist. He has been singing since the young age of twelve in Arabic musicals and has since then continued to expand his repertoire across multiple instruments and genres. He has attended Berklee College of Music and the Lebanese National Conservatory. In addition to his role as a music therapist, Patrick is a teacher, choir director, a seasoned soloist with Astaza at Boston College, and a recording artist. 

Welcome and Prayer

Rev. Sophia Lyons

Introduction to Anera

Piney Kesting

English translations follow the Arabic lyrics

1. Shamali lali and ya taleen  يا طالعين عين الجبل، شمالي لالي

Traditional

Vocalists: Alma Richeh and Susana Hajjar

 شاميلي لالي ياصليلار ويدورليللي على لحبيليلابا يا رويللووو

"شاميلي لالي يا هوالي لديرة شاميلي لالي يا رويليلو

شمالي يا هوا الديرة شمالي

عاليلي للبواب هولولم تفتح شاملي لالي يا رويليلو

على اللي بوابهم تفتح شمالي

وانا ليليلبعث معليلريح الشاملي شاميلي لالي يا رويليلو

وانا الليله لبعث مع الريح الشمالي

ياصليلار ويدورليللي على لحبيليلابا يا رويليلو

Plant your roots firmly in the soil, for you will remain here.
The land is yours, young man, and this country is our homeland.
They are ignorant and do not know that your homeland is eternal.

So stand firm, persevere, and trust, for we are all behind you.

How many martyrs have sacrificed their lives
To achieve certainty and truth?
Oh, guardian of the land, hold fast,
For the land is the honor of the righteous.

يا طالعين عين للل الجبل يا موللل الموقدين النار

بين لللل يامان يامان عين للل هنا يا روح

ما بدي منكي لللكم خلعة ولا لالالا لابدي ملبوس

بين للل يامان يامان

عين للل الهنا يا روح

ما بدي منكي لللكم خلعة ولا لالالالا بدي زنار

بين للل يامان يامان

عين للل الهنا يا روح

لا غزال للللللذي جوين للللكم محبوس

بين للل يامان يامان

عين للل الهنا يا روح

لا غزال لللللللذي جوّين اللللللكم ما يدوم

بين للل يامان يامان

عين للل الهنا يا روح

To those of you who are climbing the mountain,

to those of you who are setting fire

ya maan, ya maan

I hope you will be safe, darlings

I do not want any dresses from you nor gifts

ya maan, ya maan

I just want you to be safe

to those gazelles who are jailed inside

ya maan, ya maan

I just hope you will be safe

to those gazelles who are jailed inside, I want to tell you that this situation will not last

ya maan, ya maan

I just hope you will be safe

2. Medley of Palestinian Folk Tunes

-على دلعونة  ‘Ala Dalo'na

Vocalist: Susana Hajjar

على دلعونا وعلى دلعونا

راحو الحبايب ما ودعونا

راحو تركوني وما عادو طلو

لوعة ع لوعة بالقلب خلو

صارو العوازل فينا يتسلوا

يا لطيف الطف شو عذبونا

يا ربي يرجع محبوبي الغالي

ويريح قلبي ويطمن بالي

بغيبتكم ياما سهرنا ليالي

عودوا للوطن ياللي تحبونا

To the tune of Dal‘ona, to the tune of Dal‘ona,
The loved ones left without bidding us farewell.

They left me behind and never returned,
Heartache upon heartache they left in my chest.
The envious began to take joy in our pain,
Oh, how they tortured us, so mercilessly.

Oh Lord, bring back my beloved, so dear,
Relieve my heart and calm my thoughts here.
In your absence, how many sleepless nights we've endured,
Return to the homeland, all of you who love us.

يا ظريف الطول Ya Zarif Altool

Vocalist: Susana Hajjar

يا ظريف الطول وقف تقلك

رايح عالغربة بلادك احسنلك

خايف يا المحبوب تروح وتتملك

وتعاشر الناس وتنساني أنا

يا ظريف الطول حطة والعقال

لابسهن محبوبي والفرس خيال

لغنيلك عالمحبة والدلال

يا حبيب الروح ميل عندنا

Oh, handsome one, stop and listen to me,
You're going abroad, but your homeland is better for you.
I'm afraid, my beloved, you’ll go, get attached,
Live with others and forget about me.

Oh, handsome one, you wear the headband and the turban,
My beloved wears them, and the horse is his companion.
Let me sing for you about love and tenderness,
Oh, beloved of my soul, come closer to us

وين عرامالله Wein a' Ramallah and سبل عيونو  Sabbal Oyuno

Vocalist: Alma Richeh

وين ع رام الله وين ع رام الله

ولفي يامسافر وين ع رام الله

ماتخاف من الله سرقت قليبي ماتخاف من الله

وين ياحبيبي وين ياحبيبي تاركني ورايح وين ياحبيبي

حظي ونصيبي حظي ونصيبي ريتك من الله حظي ونصيبي

سبل عيونو وماد ايدوا يحنولو

غزال زغير بالمنديل يلفولو

يا امي يا امي عبيلي المخاداتي

وطلعت من الدار وما ودعت خياتي

Going to Ramallah, Going to Ramallah Turn around, traveler, going to Ramallah
Don’t you fear God, you stole my heart, don’t you fear God?

Where, my love, where, my love, you left me and went, where, my love?
My luck and fate, my luck and fate, I wish you were from God, my luck and fate.

He closed his eyes and stretched his hand to caress it.
A small gazelle wrapped in a handkerchief.

Oh, mother, oh mother, fill my pillows.
I left the house without saying goodbye to my sisters.

3.هدي يا بحر Hadi ya Bahar/ Keep Calm, Oh Ocean 

Composer: Ibrahim Muhammad Saleh “Abu Arab”

Vocalist: Susana Hajjar

هدي يا بحر هدي

طولنا في غيبتنا

ودي سلامي ودي

للأرض اللي ربتنا

سلملي على بلادي

تربة بيي وجدادي

سلملي على بلادي

تربة بيي وجدادي

وبعدو شحرور الشادي

بيغرد لعودتنا

Keep calm, oh ocean, keep calm

We have been absent for too long

Send greetings, send greetings

to the land that has nurtured us

And peace be upon my homeland

The soil beneath the feet of my father and my ancestors

And peace be upon my homeland

The soil beneath the feet of my father and my ancestors

And still the chirping bird

is singing for our return

4. شو في أطفال  Shu Fi Atfal/ The Little Drummer Boy

Music by Katherine Kennicott Davis

Lyrics by Marwan Rahbani and Ghadi Rahbani

Vocalist: Alma Richeh

شو في أطفال فقرا عم تبكي

شو في اجيال عم تخلق بالحرب

و العالم يللي واقف يطلع

عم يقشع لكن ما بدو يسمع و عم يسمع و ما بيحكي

العدالة بهالدني ما عندا قلب.... و ما بتحكي

يا صغير العم تشحد ع بواب الناس

انت اللي منسي و ما عندك صديق

عطيني ايدك تا نمشي صوب الشمس

و نتستقبل بعينينا وهج الشمس اللي بيغلب ظلم الناس

بكرا بسواعدنا منبني الطريق....لكل الناس

....لكل الناس

There are many crying children,
Many generations born into war.
And the world stands by, watching—
It sees but refuses to listen,
It listens but remains silent.
Justice in this world has no heart... and no voice.

Oh, little one begging at people’s doors,
You’re the forgotten one, with no friend by your side.
Give me your hand, let’s walk toward the sun,
Welcoming its rays into our eyes—rays that overpower the injustice of people.
Tomorrow, with our hands, we’ll build the path...
For everyone.
For everyone.

5. بكتب اسمك يا بلادي  Biktob Esmik ya Bladi/ I Will Write Your Name, My Country

Music and Lyrics by Elie Shouweiry

Vocalist: Patrick Tabet

بكتب اسمك يا بلادي

على الشمس ألما بتغيب لامالي ولا أولادي

على حبك مافي حبيب

يا دار الأوفى دار

تلبق لك الأشعار

تبقى على الدايم مضويه

ومزروعة بمجد وغار

على البرج العالي

ودخول خياله

وسيوف تلالي

وشمسك ما تغيب

على حبك ما فى حبيب

للف الدنيي و دور

و اقطع السبع بحور

انده غيابك يا بلدي

ترجع على ارض النور

و نعييد عيدك وكل مواعيدك

و الخير يزيدك مواسم طيب

لا مالي ولا ولادي

على حبك مافي حبيب

I will write your name my country

above the sun that doesn’t set

nor my kids neither my wealth

above your love there is no love

You are the home of fulfillment

the poems suit you as well

it will shine forever

and planted with glory and laurel

above the highest bridge

and the knights that enter it

and the swords that raise high

and your sun won't ever set

and above your love there is no love.

Travel the world and roam,
Cross the seven seas.
I’ll call out for your absence, my country,
To return to the land of light.

We’ll celebrate your holidays, all your moments,
And goodness will grace you with seasons of blessings.

Neither my wealth nor my children—
There is no love like my love for you, my beloved.

6. Folk Medley 2:

يما مويل الهوا Yama Mwel el Hawa

Vocalist: Alma Richeh

يما مويل الهوى يما مويليا

ضرب الخناجر ولا حكم النذل فيا

يما مويل الهوى يما مويليا

ضرب الخناجر ولا حكم النذل فيا

ومشيت تحت الشتا والشتا رواني

والصيف لما أتى ولع من نيراني

بيضل عمري انفدى ندر للحرية

Oh mother, the melody of longing, oh mother, my refrain,
I’d rather endure the stab of daggers than be ruled by a coward’s decree.
Oh mother, the melody of longing, oh mother, my refrain,
I’d rather endure the stab of daggers than be ruled by a coward’s decree.

I walked beneath the rain, and the rain revived me,
But when summer came, it set my fire ablaze.
My life will forever be a pledge offered for freedom.

هلالايا Hala lalalaya

Vocalist: Susana Hajjar

هلا لالا ليا وهلا لا ليا عيني يا البنية

يما الحبايب طولو وجاعو للحرية

والبنت قالت لامها يما بدي مية

عشرين من اهل البلد وعشرين غربية

عشرين يزقوا الحطب عشرين للمية

وعشرين يدقوا الكحل لسود عنيا

Hala lala liya, oh hala lala liya, oh my dear girl,
Oh mother, loved ones have been gone too long, yearning for freedom.

And the girl said to her mother, “Oh mother, I want a hundred:

Twenty from the townsfolk, and twenty strangers,

Twenty to carry the wood, and twenty for the water,

And twenty to grind the kohl for my black eyes.”

7.  موجوع قلبي  Mawjou' Qalbi/ My Heart is Hurt

Composed by Saif Amer

Lyrics by  Rami Al Aboud

Vocalist: Patrick Tabet

موجوع قلبي، والتعب بيه

من اباوع على روحي، ينكسر قلبي عليه

تعبان وجهي، وعيوني قهرتني

دنيا شلت حال حالي، وبحياتي كرهتني

كرهت الحب، ماريده دمرني

طيب اني وادري طيبي، لهالحال وصلني

كل يوم صدمه اقوى من اللي قبلها

اني واصل بالشدايد شده محد واصل الها

محد وقفلي من كنت محتاج وقفه

الصلابه بهالناس، مدري هاي الدنيا صلبه

دخيل الله، من الدنيا من العالم

ربي خلي هذا همي، نهاية كل ظالم

My heart is hurt, I am so tired,

My soul is lost, I feel sorry for myself,

My heart is hurt, I am so tired,

My soul is lost, I feel sorry for myself,

My face is tired, my eyes are breaking me,

The world paralyzed me and makes me hate my life.

I hated love, I don't want it anymore, it breaks me.

I am so good and that's why I am in this situation.

My heart is hurt, I am so tired,

My soul is lost, I feel sorry for myself,

Everyday something breaks me down more than before,

I have reached the limit, I think no one is like me,

No one stood by my side when I needed someone.

Cruelty is in people, or is it the World that is cruel?

Please, for God's sake, from this life and from this world,

God, my only concern is to stop everyone who's unjust,

My heart is hurt, I am so tired,

My soul is lost, I feel sorry for myself...

8. لا تهملني La Tihmilni/ Don’t Neglect Me, Don’t Forget Me

Composed by Assi Rahbani and Mansour El Rahbani

Vocalist: Alma Richeh

بيتي أنا بيتك وما الي حدا

من كتر ما ناديتك

وسع المدى

نطرتك عبابي وعلى كل البواب

كتبتلك عذابي

على شمس الغياب

لا تهملني لا تنساني يا شمس المساكين

من أرض الخوف منندهلك يا شمس المساكين

بلدي صارت منفى

طرقاتي غطاها الشوك والأعشاب البرية

ابعث لي بها الليل من عندك حدا يطل عليّ، يطل عليّ

بيتي أنا بيتك وما إلي حدا

من كثر ما ناديتك وسع المدى وسع المدى، وسع المدى آه

أنا زهرة من زهورك باركني ساعدني

بالدمع بتذرعني بالفرح بتحصدني

عدلك فاض عالي كرمك ضواني

إذا كلن نسيوني وحدك ما بنساني

لا تهملني لا تنساني يا شمس المساكين

من أرض الخوف منندهلك يا شمس المساكين

My home is your home and I have no one

I have called out to you so much

That the vastness of space has expanded

I waited for you at my door, and at all the doors

I wrote to you my suffering

On the setting sun

Don't neglect me, don't forget me, 

O sun of the poor

From the land of fear we call out to you, 

O sun of the poor

My homeland has become an exile,
My roads are covered with thorns and wild grass.
Send me, through the night, someone from your side to look after me, to look after me.

My home is your home, and I have no one else.
From calling out to you so much, the horizon has expanded, the horizon has expanded, the horizon has expanded, oh.

I am a flower among your flowers, bless me, help me

With tears you plant me, with joy you reap me

Your justice has flooded me, your generosity has lit me up

If everyone forgets me, you alone will not forget me

Don't neglect me, don't forget me, 

O sun of the poor

From the land of fear we call out to you, 

O sun of the poor

9. Olive Harvest

Composed by Simon Shaheen

Instrumental

10. موطني Mawtini/ My Homeland

Composed by Mohammed Flayfel

مَوطِنِي مَوطِنِي

الجلالُ والجمالُ والسَّنَاءُ والبَهَاءُ

في رُبَاكْ في رُبَاكْ

والحياةُ والنجاةُ والهناءُ والرجاءُ

في هواكْ في هواكْ

هلْ أراكْ هلْ أراكْ

سالِماً مُنَعَّماً و غانما مكرما 

هلْ أراكْ في عُلاكْ

تبلُغُ السِّمَاكْ تبلغُ السِّمَاكْ

مَوطِنِي مَوطِنِي

My homeland, my homeland,

Glory and beauty, sublimity and splendour

Are in your hills, are in your hills.

Life and deliverance, pleasure and hope

Are in your air, are in your air.

Will I see you, will I see you?

Safely comforted and victoriously honoured

Will I see you in your eminence?

Reaching to the stars, reaching to the stars

My homeland, my homeland.

After the performance, please join us downstairs for light refreshments provided by Arax Market, Sevan Bakery, and Massis Bakery.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to:

First Parish of Watertown, especially Rev. Sophia Lyons and the Social Action Committee

Eric Hanson-Plass and Izzy Tappan-deFrees, sound engineering and livestream management

Eileen Ryan and Beth Tappan-deFrees, greeters

Arax Market, Sevan Bakery, and Massis Bakery for contributions to our reception

All of the staff at Anera who work so hard to improve lives for the people of Gaza

Our musicians

You, our audience!