Vision
The Hallelujah festival provides beautiful, accessible music that highlights Jerusalem’s diversity and unique history as a city that is holy to all three Abrahamic religions, while bringing together audiences and musicians of different cultures. At a time when Israelis are experiencing the ongoing stress and anxiety of the protracted war, music can not only offer healing but also provide a sense of shared humanity.
Activity
The Hallelujah Festival takes place annually during December coinciding with the festive periods of Hanukkah and Christmas. Each year, the festival is centered around a unifying theme that resonates across the three Abrahamic religions. In December 2025, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra (JSO) will present a series of approximately six concerts in collaboration with a diverse range of orchestras and choirs that represent the musical traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They will include Firqat Alnoor (“Orchestra of Light”); The Jerusalem East West Orchestra; The Israeli Andalusian Orchestra; The Gary Bertini Israel Choir; The Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra; The Jerusalem Youth Chorus; The Chamber Choir of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. The concerts will celebrate the rich musical heritages of the three faiths. Some performances will highlight Hanukkah and Christmas through traditional and contemporary works. Others will feature original collaborations, blending diverse musical traditions to create unique and meaningful performances. In several concerts, presentations and talks will offer context—explaining the background of various musical traditions and offering insights into the collaborative creative process among musicians from different cultures.