Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) today announced that the world-renowned Jewish reggae artist, Matisyahu, will perform at the organization's annual benefit in New York City on September 22nd.
The event is fittingly named "One Day," mirroring the title of Matisyahu's widely known song that NBC used as background music while promoting the 2010 Olympic Games. Yet according to Matisyahu (born Matthew Paul Miller), the reggae sensation's ties with A4BGU run even deeper. He dedicated his 2004 song, "Warrior," in perpetuity to wounded Israel Defense Forces soldiers whom he had met at an event coordinated by A4BGU in Aspen, Colorado.
Notably, Matisyahu's performance for A4BGU will come about two weeks prior to the one-year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks. During the ensuing nine months, A4BGU and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) have stood on the front lines of efforts to help the Israeli people recover and rebuild, especially in the University's backyard in the country's South.
"During such challenging times for Jews worldwide, it's essential that we come together to advocate for our people, including by supporting organizations that are leading the way forward for Israel after October 7th," Matisyahu said in a statement. "That's precisely why I was inspired to use my voice for A4BGU and BGU, who are working to build the Israeli people's resilience and are playing a central role in their road to recovery."
No academic institute in Israel had been as deeply impacted by the October 7th atrocities as BGU, in terms of the number of students, faculty, and staff who were killed, wounded, kidnapped, and called to reserve duty with the IDF. And yet, the University is simultaneously rising to the challenges of this moment by spearheading the nation's rebuilding and recovery. BGU community members have volunteered in hospitals throughout Israel, have looked after children from families of IDF soldiers called up for reserve duty, and have hosted evacuated families in their homes.
A4BGU is galvanizing American supporters of the University into action through its leading role in Way Forward — BGU's landmark $1 billion global fundraising campaign to strengthen the future of Israel through the South, with the University as the region's anchor institution and engine for growth. The "One Day" event in New York will mark the latest milestone in the Way Forward campaign, which has secured more than $380 million to date.
"Matisyahu's song 'One Day' expresses a hope for an end to violence and hate, as well as the start of a new era of peace and understanding. After October 7th, the world needs this message more than ever," said Doug Seserman, CEO of A4BGU. "We are thrilled to have Matisyahu lend his voice towards A4BGU's efforts around the rebuilding of Israel's South, with Ben-Gurion University leading the way forward as the epicenter of the region and the key to its recovery."
The honored guest at the One Day benefit will be Gary DeBode, A4BGU's Board Chair. DeBode, who served as the Board's president for four years, is an alumnus from the third cohort of A4BGU's Zin Fellows Leadership Program, an in-depth immersion into the issues involved in the continuing development of the Negev, Israel's southern desert region. He is passionate about the development of the Negev, and he is committed to his work with A4BGU and the OR Movement, both organizations that have a strong focus on realizing David Ben-Gurion's vision that Israel's future would emerge from the Negev.
