Our story
Rana Choir
Rana is a unique Arab-Jewish women’s choir operating in Jaffa and comprised of 16 Muslim, Christian, and Jewish women. The choir was founded in 2008 by Mika Danny, who serves as its musical director and conductor, and by Idan Toledano, who serves as the artistic director.
Rana has performed successfully throughout Israel and the world. The choir aims to express the female voice, which is not heard enough in our region, to cultivate dialogue and create a cultural and human bridge. The choir’s repertoire includes folk songs and women’s songs in Hebrew, Arabic, and other cultures of the region.
Rana choir operates under the “Felicia Blumenthal Center for Music”, which focuses on discovering and providing opportunities and support for talented musicians and ensembles.
Members of the choir: Sihrab Jwedi Abu Lassan, Irit Aharoni, Miki Oren, Ella Greenbaum, Badria Hattab, Manal Khoury, Alia Hattab, Ricki Lavi, Orit Lelloushe, Rakefet Lapid, Georgina Spiliopoulos Shibli, Pauline Odeh, Fibi Tzadok, Dalya Keva, Lubna Rifi, Gal Meisels.
Choir Members
Dalia Keva
Married with three children and two wonderful grandchildren
How long have you been in the choir? Since the beginning, close to 11 years now
When did you start to sing? From a young age, amongst my family, especially on Fridays
Why did you choose Rana? It was completely coincidental
What do you sing in the shower? I don’t. I sing in front of the computer, songs that I choose. All my childhood songs by Shlomo Artzi, Shalom Hanoch, and of course Rotem Sela
Who do you dream of singing with: Galikeria. I love her music very much
How long have you been in the choir? Since the beginning, close to 11 years now
When did you start to sing? From a young age, amongst my family, especially on Fridays
Why did you choose Rana? It was completely coincidental
What do you sing in the shower? I don’t. I sing in front of the computer, songs that I choose. All my childhood songs by Shlomo Artzi, Shalom Hanoch, and of course Rotem Sela
Who do you dream of singing with: Galikeria. I love her music very much
Miki Oren
In a relationship and mother of two
How long have you been in the choir? 11 years
When did you start to sing? Since I was a girl, from first grade
Why did you choose Rana? I thought it would be interesting as an inter-faith choir
What do you sing in the shower? Sometimes, I sing the songs we are rehearsing in Rana
Who do you dream of singing with: Diana Ross
How long have you been in the choir? 11 years
When did you start to sing? Since I was a girl, from first grade
Why did you choose Rana? I thought it would be interesting as an inter-faith choir
What do you sing in the shower? Sometimes, I sing the songs we are rehearsing in Rana
Who do you dream of singing with: Diana Ross
Rakefet Lapid
In a relationship and mother of three children
How long have you been in the choir? Since the beginning, how long is that? Actually, three months after the choir was founded
When did you start to sing? A short time after my birth, I think. But mostly off key. I got better over the years
Why did you choose Rana? Mika called me, and I asked her “Is it a choir that actually sings, or just eats hummus?” I wasn’t convinced, so I didn’t join. Luckily for me, a former member, Dina, worked with me and asked me how come I wasn’t a part of the choir. I asked her, “What, you really sing?!” Since then I am in the choir
What do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower. I sing in the car, the kitchen, on the street. I love a lot of different kinds of music, Hebrew, Ethnic, lots of Rock, Classical. Just not Pop
Who do you dream of singing with: Rana Choir
How long have you been in the choir? Since the beginning, how long is that? Actually, three months after the choir was founded
When did you start to sing? A short time after my birth, I think. But mostly off key. I got better over the years
Why did you choose Rana? Mika called me, and I asked her “Is it a choir that actually sings, or just eats hummus?” I wasn’t convinced, so I didn’t join. Luckily for me, a former member, Dina, worked with me and asked me how come I wasn’t a part of the choir. I asked her, “What, you really sing?!” Since then I am in the choir
What do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower. I sing in the car, the kitchen, on the street. I love a lot of different kinds of music, Hebrew, Ethnic, lots of Rock, Classical. Just not Pop
Who do you dream of singing with: Rana Choir
Badriya Hattab
Divorced mother of 4
How long have you been in the choir? 11 years
When did you start to sing? Since kindergarten
Why did you choose Rana? I wanted to sing and I wanted to be around women
What do you sing in the shower? I sing songs by Umm Kulthum and Abed Halim Hafez
Who do you dream of singing with: Majida El Roumi
How long have you been in the choir? 11 years
When did you start to sing? Since kindergarten
Why did you choose Rana? I wanted to sing and I wanted to be around women
What do you sing in the shower? I sing songs by Umm Kulthum and Abed Halim Hafez
Who do you dream of singing with: Majida El Roumi
Irit Aharoni
Divorced
How long have you been in the choir? 10 years
When did you start to sing I started singing at a very young age. I always loved to sing. I was in a youth movement called “Youth to Youth” and in 1976 we went on a delegation to the U.S. We performed a song and dance show, and I had a few solos. Before Rana, I was in another choir for ten years
Why did you choose Rana? It was hard for me to leave the other choir, but as soon as I heard that Rana was being founded, I had to join. For me, it’s two birds with one stone, singing and being a part of a soci-political activity for co-existence
What do you sing in the shower? A song called Brandy
Who do you dream of singing with: To continue singing with Rana
How long have you been in the choir? 10 years
When did you start to sing I started singing at a very young age. I always loved to sing. I was in a youth movement called “Youth to Youth” and in 1976 we went on a delegation to the U.S. We performed a song and dance show, and I had a few solos. Before Rana, I was in another choir for ten years
Why did you choose Rana? It was hard for me to leave the other choir, but as soon as I heard that Rana was being founded, I had to join. For me, it’s two birds with one stone, singing and being a part of a soci-political activity for co-existence
What do you sing in the shower? A song called Brandy
Who do you dream of singing with: To continue singing with Rana
Ricki Lavi
Single
How long have you been in the choir? 11 years
When did you start to sing? Since I was 3, I used to sing with my mother
Why did you choose Rana? Because of the connection to an Arab culture that I love and know since childhood
What do you sing in the shower? Sometimes choir songs, or according to my mood
Who do you dream of singing with: Mercedes Sosa
How long have you been in the choir? 11 years
When did you start to sing? Since I was 3, I used to sing with my mother
Why did you choose Rana? Because of the connection to an Arab culture that I love and know since childhood
What do you sing in the shower? Sometimes choir songs, or according to my mood
Who do you dream of singing with: Mercedes Sosa
Idan Toledano
How long have you been in the choir? Since the very first day
When did you start to sing?In my case, playing music and I started at the age of 16
Why did you choose Rana? Rana chose me Mika came to me in 2008 with the idea of starting the choir at the Arab Jewish community center where I worked as Musical Director. Since that day, Rana has been for me a home, a family, and a source of inspiration
What do you sing in the shower? Children songs
Who do you dream of singing with: John Lennon
When did you start to sing?In my case, playing music and I started at the age of 16
Why did you choose Rana? Rana chose me Mika came to me in 2008 with the idea of starting the choir at the Arab Jewish community center where I worked as Musical Director. Since that day, Rana has been for me a home, a family, and a source of inspiration
What do you sing in the shower? Children songs
Who do you dream of singing with: John Lennon
Mika Danny
Married plus one
How long have you been in the choir? Since about a year before it was founded
When did you start to sing? According to my mother, since the day I was born. She exaggerates of course
Why did you choose Rana?I decided to found an Arab-Jewish women’s choir out of the desire to do something to change the socio-political reality in Jaffa, and also, out of the knowledge that shared singing is an excellent tool to bring people’s hearts close and break down barriers
What do you sing in the shower? Anything that can be sung, depending on my mood
Who do you dream of singing with: Joan Baez
How long have you been in the choir? Since about a year before it was founded
When did you start to sing? According to my mother, since the day I was born. She exaggerates of course
Why did you choose Rana?I decided to found an Arab-Jewish women’s choir out of the desire to do something to change the socio-political reality in Jaffa, and also, out of the knowledge that shared singing is an excellent tool to bring people’s hearts close and break down barriers
What do you sing in the shower? Anything that can be sung, depending on my mood
Who do you dream of singing with: Joan Baez
Orit Lalush
Married, plus two
How long have you been in the choir? More of less from its inception, 11 years
When did you start to sing? As far back as I can remember, I sang. I think I sang more than I spoke
Why did you choose Rana? I live in Jaffa, and I heard them sing and it brought tears to my eyes. I was very moved. I said I have to be a part of this choir. It makes me really happy
What do you sing in the shower? Every time I feel like something else. Sometimes I don’t even notice that I am singing. Lately, while cooking, I have been singing We Shall Overcome because we just recorded it. Nina Simone always moves me as well
Who do you dream of singing with: I am actually very content singing with the choir. We have a special energy and together we can make magic happen
How long have you been in the choir? More of less from its inception, 11 years
When did you start to sing? As far back as I can remember, I sang. I think I sang more than I spoke
Why did you choose Rana? I live in Jaffa, and I heard them sing and it brought tears to my eyes. I was very moved. I said I have to be a part of this choir. It makes me really happy
What do you sing in the shower? Every time I feel like something else. Sometimes I don’t even notice that I am singing. Lately, while cooking, I have been singing We Shall Overcome because we just recorded it. Nina Simone always moves me as well
Who do you dream of singing with: I am actually very content singing with the choir. We have a special energy and together we can make magic happen
Gal Meisels
Married and mother of two
How long have you been in the choir? 7 years
When did you start to sing? As far back as I can remember myself
Why did you choose Rana?Because there’s nothing else like it
What do you sing in the shower?Tomorrow, from the musical Annie
Who do you dream of singing with: Arik Einstein
How long have you been in the choir? 7 years
When did you start to sing? As far back as I can remember myself
Why did you choose Rana?Because there’s nothing else like it
What do you sing in the shower?Tomorrow, from the musical Annie
Who do you dream of singing with: Arik Einstein
Phoebe Tzadok
Mother and grandmother and great grandmother
How long have you been in the choir? Going on 11 years
When did you start to sing? I remember myself as a young girl singing all the time
Why did you choose Rana? I chose Rana because of the connection between Arabs and Jews, I wanted to be there with everyone. I also wanted to give something to the group
What do you sing in the shower?In the shower… I sing the songs we learn in Rana, I sing mostly in Arabic, Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, older songs
Who do you dream of singing with: Mahalia Jackson
How long have you been in the choir? Going on 11 years
When did you start to sing? I remember myself as a young girl singing all the time
Why did you choose Rana? I chose Rana because of the connection between Arabs and Jews, I wanted to be there with everyone. I also wanted to give something to the group
What do you sing in the shower?In the shower… I sing the songs we learn in Rana, I sing mostly in Arabic, Umm Kulthum, Fairuz, older songs
Who do you dream of singing with: Mahalia Jackson
Seherab Abu-Lassan
Married with three children
How long have you been in the choir? From the beginning, 11 years
When did you start to sing? I started singing at a very young age, in school, in the youth movement, Children of Peace
Why did you choose Rana? There was nothing else like it in Jaffa, it’s the first project of its kind in Jaffa that answers what I am looking for. Since I got married, I wanted to join a choir in Levinski but they shut it down. Suddenly, I saw in my mailbox an info sheet about the foundation of an Arab-Jewish choir. I went to the auditions, for the first time in my life, and since then I am here
What do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower. I sing in the kitchen. In the kitchen, I sometimes sing songs by Fairuz, or by Majida El Roumi
Who do you dream of singing with: Majida El Roumi
How long have you been in the choir? From the beginning, 11 years
When did you start to sing? I started singing at a very young age, in school, in the youth movement, Children of Peace
Why did you choose Rana? There was nothing else like it in Jaffa, it’s the first project of its kind in Jaffa that answers what I am looking for. Since I got married, I wanted to join a choir in Levinski but they shut it down. Suddenly, I saw in my mailbox an info sheet about the foundation of an Arab-Jewish choir. I went to the auditions, for the first time in my life, and since then I am here
What do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower. I sing in the kitchen. In the kitchen, I sometimes sing songs by Fairuz, or by Majida El Roumi
Who do you dream of singing with: Majida El Roumi
Georgina Spiliopolous Shibli
Married, plus two
How long have you been in the choir? From the beginning
When did you start to sing? When I joined Rana
Why did you choose Rana? Because of my mother, actually. She was in Rana and told me, come, join! So I came to audition
What do you sing in the shower? Everything! But mostly Greek music
Who do you dream of singing with: Haris Alexiou
How long have you been in the choir? From the beginning
When did you start to sing? When I joined Rana
Why did you choose Rana? Because of my mother, actually. She was in Rana and told me, come, join! So I came to audition
What do you sing in the shower? Everything! But mostly Greek music
Who do you dream of singing with: Haris Alexiou
Alia Hattab
Mother to four daughters and a son, you know, five. A grandmother to ten grandchildren. I am also a teacher and guidance counsellor
How long have you been in the choir? From the beginning
When did you start to sing? I started singing in 3rd or 4th grade. I was the soprano in the elementary school choir
Why did you choose Rana? A long time after I married and had my children, I was part of an Arab seminary choir in Haifa. When I was married, I didn’t have a lot of opportunities, until Rana was founded. Someone told me about Rana because people would hear me singing on trips or family events. I didn’t even know that both my daughters were already in the choir. I went to the auditions and saw them there. I got in, and haven’t left since. This has become my second home
What do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower. Like my daughter, I sing more in the kitchen. When the choir works on a new song that I don’t know, I rehearse that. My favourite is authentic songs, from way back when. Songs by Abdel Wahab, or Nagat El-Sagheera
Who do you dream of singing with: I would love to sing the Egyptian Opera
How long have you been in the choir? From the beginning
When did you start to sing? I started singing in 3rd or 4th grade. I was the soprano in the elementary school choir
Why did you choose Rana? A long time after I married and had my children, I was part of an Arab seminary choir in Haifa. When I was married, I didn’t have a lot of opportunities, until Rana was founded. Someone told me about Rana because people would hear me singing on trips or family events. I didn’t even know that both my daughters were already in the choir. I went to the auditions and saw them there. I got in, and haven’t left since. This has become my second home
What do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower. Like my daughter, I sing more in the kitchen. When the choir works on a new song that I don’t know, I rehearse that. My favourite is authentic songs, from way back when. Songs by Abdel Wahab, or Nagat El-Sagheera
Who do you dream of singing with: I would love to sing the Egyptian Opera
Manal Houri
Married and mother of 4
How long have you been in the choir? About 9 years
When did you start to sing? I’ve always sung, at school, at the youth movement, at family events
Why did you choose Rana?Because my friend, Gina, who’s in the choir recommended it
What do you sing in the shower? Umm Kulthum and other romantic, pleasant songs in a similar style
Who do you dream of singing with: Najwa Karim and Elissa
How long have you been in the choir? About 9 years
When did you start to sing? I’ve always sung, at school, at the youth movement, at family events
Why did you choose Rana?Because my friend, Gina, who’s in the choir recommended it
What do you sing in the shower? Umm Kulthum and other romantic, pleasant songs in a similar style
Who do you dream of singing with: Najwa Karim and Elissa
Lubna Rifi
Married and mother of three! And a dog
How long have you been in the choir? 3 years
When did you start to sing? I sang here and there, usually in the shower. I started to sing properly only when I joined the choir
Why did you choose Rana? My daughter also sang in a choir for peace (inter-faith choir) and I really loved the idea for years. When I heard that Rana was looking for women to join the choir, I jumped on the opportunity. I wanted to feel that I was doing something significant with my life, something for both me and my community
What do you sing in the shower? Mostly the songs we are working on in Rana, so as to practice. Sometimes also Joan Baez
Who do you dream of singing with: David Broza, Chava Alberstein, Elton
How long have you been in the choir? 3 years
When did you start to sing? I sang here and there, usually in the shower. I started to sing properly only when I joined the choir
Why did you choose Rana? My daughter also sang in a choir for peace (inter-faith choir) and I really loved the idea for years. When I heard that Rana was looking for women to join the choir, I jumped on the opportunity. I wanted to feel that I was doing something significant with my life, something for both me and my community
What do you sing in the shower? Mostly the songs we are working on in Rana, so as to practice. Sometimes also Joan Baez
Who do you dream of singing with: David Broza, Chava Alberstein, Elton
Pauline Odeh
How long have you been in the choir?
11 years
When did you start to sing? I started singing as a girl, my family lived in the church and I sang in the church choir
Why did you choose Rana? The truth is I didn’t really choose. I came to the auditions, I sang, I prepared a song in Arabic, but Mika was there all alone so I sang her some John Denver. She said to me: There’s a choir and you’re in it! It was very spontaneous
What do you sing in the shower?The truth is I have long stopped singing in the shower, but when I did then songs by Fairuz, sometimes rehearsals for the songs we are working on in Rana. The water helps and the walls can’t hear so if I make a mistake, it’s not a big deal
Who do you dream of singing with: I always dreamt of singing with Enriquo Masias, I’ve loved his songs ever since I was a girl. I know most of his songs by heart in French, and teach them to my students at school
When did you start to sing? I started singing as a girl, my family lived in the church and I sang in the church choir
Why did you choose Rana? The truth is I didn’t really choose. I came to the auditions, I sang, I prepared a song in Arabic, but Mika was there all alone so I sang her some John Denver. She said to me: There’s a choir and you’re in it! It was very spontaneous
What do you sing in the shower?The truth is I have long stopped singing in the shower, but when I did then songs by Fairuz, sometimes rehearsals for the songs we are working on in Rana. The water helps and the walls can’t hear so if I make a mistake, it’s not a big deal
Who do you dream of singing with: I always dreamt of singing with Enriquo Masias, I’ve loved his songs ever since I was a girl. I know most of his songs by heart in French, and teach them to my students at school
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From the Press
“The fracture in Jaffa is enormous and is not being treated, but in this choir, nothing can touch” – 13.06.2021
The Tower
The Tower Magazine –Jewish-Arab women’s choir wins international prize for intercultural dialogue” – 27 Sep 2016
To The ArticleGallery
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Choir Photos
Testimonials
“A one-of-a-kind example of the power of song and music to bridge divides… the diverse repertoire offers an optimistic vision imagined by women of both nations, religious and secular, from varied cultural and social backgrounds.”
Prof. Ati CitronTheatre Department, Haifa University 
“This is art at its highest level, songs, words and arrangements… Such sensitivity and humor and humanity. You ladies are divine!”
Achinoam Nini (Noa)from her appearance at Rana’s Debut Album Launch Concert, Beit HaYotzer, 2019 
“Rana Choir is a place of hope and pride, they are the proof that it is possible to build here a better future for us all.”
Maisam JaljuliNa`amat CEO for the Southern Triangle Region 
“Rana Choir is a social and cultural enterprise of huge impact in the local Jaffo community and also in promoting humanist and cultural values throughout Israel.”
Tamar DekelFounder and Co-Director, CoCuDi Center for Social and Cosmoplitical Dialogue 
“Besides the unique singing skills of the choir members, Na’amat considers Rana Choir to be innovative in the fields of multicultural communities, shared society and female empowerment here in Israel.”
Marcel Attias Bala’ishHead of Organisation and Fields Division, Na’amat 
“It’s been our honour to host Rana Choir several times. Shukran Katir and Toda Raba to the amazing Rana Choir women, for being such an inspiration and bringing hope for a shared society. Well done!”
Hadas KaplanCulture Division, Tel Aviv – Yaffo Municipality 
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DONATE
Rana Choir relies on your donations to ensure its continued existence and mission.
From Israeli accounts, tax-deductible donations (by Section 46 of Income Tax Ordinance) to the Rana Choir can be made via our fiscal sponsor, Felicja Blumental Music Center (NGO number 580327740)
By bank transfer
Account name: “Felicja Blumental Music Center Association, ” Bank Leumi le Israel (Bank #10)
Ahad Ha’am branch (#811)
Account number 52281081
Swift code: LUMIILITXXX
IBAN: IL13 010 811 00000 52281081
By check payable to “Felicja Blumental Music Center Association”, 26 Bialik st. Tel Aviv 6332432.
From American accounts, please download the following instruction sheet and form for tax-deductible donations through P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, Inc.
From UK accounts, tax-deductible donations in Pound Sterling can be made through the New Israel Fund (Registered Charity Number No 1060081), Coutts & Company, 440 Strand, London.
Sort: 18-00-02
Account Number: 04206061
IBAN: GB37COUT18000204206061
The general Coutt’s Swift Code is: COUTGB22
Full show
"Song dispels the darkness"
A multicultural, current, and exciting show
A full 90 minutes long show includes folk and women’s songs from different cultures around our region. Hebrew, Arabic, Ladino, Yemenite, Persian and more songs emphasizing the shared textual and musical motifs weave people and cultures together into a rich tapestry.
The show is accompanied by live music with a variety of instruments and incorporates short personal stories of the choir’s women. This program can be held in a variety of spaces.
We are members of the artist’s database of “Femi premium – Culture for the Periphery.” We are happy to offer a special show at a subsidized price to enrich your community’s annual activity program and warm the hearts.
Song and Discourse Encounters
On topics of shared society, creativity, empowerment and social change.
Rana Choir is offering “Song and Discourse Encounters” live or via Zoom: a unique activity during which the choir women share stories about the choir’s inception and how their experiences from the shared life and creative work in the choir has affected their stance as women in their families, homes and communities. The encounter includes several songs from the choir’s musical and performative repertoire. The audience is invited to ask questions and share thoughts. The encounter lasts Between an hour to an hour and a half.
We are members of the artist’s database of “Femi premium – Culture for the Periphery.” We are happy to offer a special show at a subsidized price to enrich your community’s annual activity program and warm the hearts.
Contact Us
Rana – Arab-Jewish women’s Choir
A unique Arab-Jewish women’s choir operating in Jaffa and comprised of 16 Muslim, Christian, and Jewish women. The choir aims to express the female voice, which is not heard enough in our region, to cultivate dialogue and create a cultural and human bridge.
CONTACT US
- Rana Choir
-
+972-546-833-608
- ranachoir@gmail.com
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