Hillel Concert Series “Yallapalooza 2024” Visits Boston
Grammy-nominated singer Matisyahu, 2023 Eurovision finalist Noa Kirel, and Nova Music Festival artists performed for over a thousand Jewish college students at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theater.
Last night, the Yallapalooza 2024 concert series, powered by Hillel International, brought together more than 1,000 Jewish college students at Emerson Colonial in Boston for a night celebrating Jewish joy after an incredibly difficult year for Jewish students on college campuses. The concert featured performances by Grammy-nominated musician Matisyahu, 2023 Eurovision finalist Noa Kirel, and DJ Sasi and Yonatan Cohen, who both performed at the Nova Music Festival.The Boston show followed the kick-off concert in New York last Sunday.
Since October 7, 2023, Jewish college students have faced an alarming surge of antisemitism on college campuses across North America. These experiences have impacted what should be the most exciting, freeing, and transformative years of their lives.
Despite these challenges, Jewish college students have shown extraordinary courage and have come together to embrace Jewish joy, from celebrating the High Holidays to participating in Hillel programs, events, and welcome week activities in record-breaking numbers. Yallapalooza 2024 celebrated that spirit and offered Jewish students a new opportunity to join together in a much-needed space for collective joy with some of the top Jewish musical acts in the world.
“The energy in Boston was incredible. It’s so powerful to see all these Jewish students, who have been through a lot in the last year, experiencing real joy through music,” said Matisyahu. “Yallapalooza is an important chance for unity and celebration during these times, and it is an honor to be a part of these shows.”
“I am so thrilled to have been able to come to the U.S. and perform for students who deserve this opportunity to celebrate with their community,” said Noa Kirel. “The atmosphere was incredible and I loved being part of such a fun and joyful moment with more than 1,000 Jewish students.”
“I am honored to participate in a night of celebration for Jewish students and showcase my music and represent the Tribe of Nova after such a difficult year,” said DJ Sasi, co-producer and a performer at the Nova Music Festival on 10/7. “Jews and Israelis across the world have faced many challenges since 10/7, yet we will continue to stand proudly together and showcase our story for all to see.
“Since October 7 our Jewish college experience has been disrupted by a surge of antisemitism on campus, impacting many of us in Boston,” said Danny Denenberg, a student leader at Harvard University who spoke at last night’s concert. “Hillel’s Yallapalooza concert in Boston is an amazing opportunity to be proudly Jewish with our friends and thousands of other college students. Everyone there loved experiencing Jewish joy and dancing to incredible music.
For over 100 years, Hillel has been a welcoming and supportive space for millions of Jewish college students of all backgrounds, denominations, and beliefs. Hillel, the world’s largest Jewish college organization, remains committed to being a trusted place for students seeking community, belonging, and support. With this concert series Hillel continues to be there for Jewish students, enabling them to come together, dance, sing and enjoy an evening together after an extraordinarily difficult past year.
“Amid another year marked by continuing challenges on campus, we are thrilled to take our commitment to Jewish college students on the road and bring thousands of students together for three nights of music, celebration, and joy with some of the world’s top Jewish musicians,” said Hillel President and CEO Adam Lehman. “Whether it’s on or off campus, giving our students the opportunity to experience these indelible moments of Jewish joy is at the heart of Hillel’s mission.”
The concert was entirely free of charge for Jewish students and recent college graduates in the Boston area, and throughout the Northeast. The final concert of the Yallapalooza 2024 tour will take place the evening of Sunday, November 10 in Philadelphia.