Ashira (band)

Ashira
Origin Ramat Gan, Israel
Genres Jewish rock, Israeli rock, pop rock
Years active 2006–present
Website ashiraband.wix.com/ashiraband
Members Sapir Gezber
Lia Bagrish
Pnina Weintraub
Yael Teitz
Inbar Perser
Maayan Schweitzer
Past members Hagit Tawil

Ashira (Hebrew: אשירה, fem. "I will sing") is an Israeli Jewish rock band based in Ramat Gan. They were formed at Bar-Ilan University in 2006 by violinist Pnina Weintraub and flutist Yael Teitz. They are notable for performing exclusively for women in accordance with the Jewish law of kol isha.

Overview

Ashira was formed in 2006 by Bar-Ilan music students Pnina Weintraub and Yael Teitz. Weintraub was frustrated at having to dance behind a mechitza at school parties and Jewish holidays, so she decided to form an all-female band that would play exclusively for women, thus removing the need for separation.[1] She and Teitz contacted Erez Barkai, a music teacher at the Yeshurun school in Petah Tikva, who introduced them to guitarist Lia Bagrish and drummer Maayan Schweitzer. They subsequently added bassist Inbar Perser and singer Hagit Tawil (later replaced with Sapir Gezber).[2]

The band made its debut at the Israeli pub C'naan during Sukkot of 2008,[2] and have performed at various seminaries, girl's schools, pubs, and small halls throughout Israel, as well as Bar-Ilan.[3][1] In keeping with Jewish laws of modesty, they perform only for women and do not allow their concerts to be videotaped.[4]

Musical style

Ashira plays a mix of rock, blues, and Irish folk music.[4] Their songs, written in Hebrew, combine liturgical passages with original lyrics.[3]

Band members

Current
Former

References

  1. 1 2 Karin Kloosterman (June 28, 2009). "Religious girls like to play, too". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 Oranit Etzer (Oct 18, 2010). "להקת "אשירה" במופע ייחודי לנשים בלבד". Arutz Sheva (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 Shtrauchler, Nissan (May 25, 2009). "Introducing 1st religious women's rock band". Ynetnews. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 Tara Todras-Whitehill (July 2, 2009). "Ashira: Orthodox Jewish All-Girl Rock Band Refuses To Play For Men". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 December 2015.

External links

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