A highly anticipated concert featuring Jewish music star Benny Friedman has been abruptly canceled by its London venue, sparking outrage over the blatant antisemitism. The decision comes just one day after tickets for the show went on sale, leaving organizers and fans stunned.
The Am Yisrael Chai Tour, organized in partnership with ACM Events, has toured globally. For years, London topped the list of cities requesting visits from Benny Friedman, prompting the team to schedule two UK concerts: one in London on January 6 and another in Manchester on January 7.
Despite overwhelming demand, organizers encountered huge obstacles in securing a venue for the London concert, with multiple venues reportedly unwilling to host a Jewish event or align with pro-Israel sentiments. After considerable effort, the team finally secured the historic Clapham Grand, a renowned Victorian music hall, and excitement quickly spread among fans.
The concert was officially announced on Sunday, and tickets sold rapidly, underscoring the enthusiasm surrounding the event. But by Monday morning, the Clapham Grand shocked organizers by pulling out of the agreement and canceling the show, citing “security concerns.”
The abrupt cancellation has left organizers and fans reeling, with many viewing the decision as a disturbing act of antisemitism.
“We are completely stunned by this news, and disappointed that a reality like this for the Jewish people is still possible in 2024,” the Am Yisrael Chai Tour team said in a statement.
The incident underscores a troubling reality: Jewish events and symbols of pride continue to face hostility and discrimination.
“The resistance we faced in finding a venue was deeply troubling,” organizers noted, “but this cancellation takes it to another level.”
Despite the setback, the Am Yisrael Chai Tour remains unwavering in its mission. Organizers are already working to secure a larger venue, ensuring that the concert not only takes place but does so with even greater strength and impact.
“We are determined to secure an even bigger venue in London,” organizers said. “We will see you in London, and we will keep you posted with further updates.”
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22 Responses
Stop calling every Avoda Zara practice antisemitism.
These concerts Are Avoda zara and customs of goyims and forbidden according to Halacha so great ! Barouch Hashem It’s cancelled . Who said we can listen to music with real simha of a mitzva ? Fried and other charlatans….
sue them!
Thoroughly rotten of the Brits.
Outrageous! Curious where are the UK Askonim here? Where’s the Board of Deputies of British Jews? Where is the Jewish “Community Security Trust”? Where is the Prime Minister who is proud of his Jewish wife’s Friday night Shabbat meals? Where are the Jewish MP’s and the Jewish members of the House of Lords? Where’s the Chief Rabbi?
Is London and the rest of England the new Berlin and Germany of the Nazi era?
Harrry: and……. where’s my yarmulke? Lost it few minutes ago
They claim there were security concerns. If they are telling the truth, then this is neither anti-Zionist nor antisemitic. Otherwise, it is very likely anti-Zionist, but in no way indicative of antisemitism.
Just wondering – is it possible that they are really worried about security concerns and that their hall will be a target for a terror attack chv?
To emetsealofhashem. Concerts are permitted and are performed all over by every faction. The fact that every other one condemns the other is just the same sentiment as you have. Interesting all condemn online browsing and you have access to yeshiva world and comments. No more need being said
Hashem is the one who is doing everything!
So please take note! Concerts are not a Yiddishe thing. It’s taken from the goyim. It does not increase yiras Shomayim. It increases bitul torah and holelus! Hashem is telling us, like He was telling Jews in Germany, stop copying the goyim! So please take note before it’s too late!!!
Hmmmmm…….. Very interesting because just yesterday YWN posted an article about the massive dirshu siyum with 10,000 people, in london! That seemed to have taken place without any issues.
Who knows but maybe because that was a maamed of kovod hatorah and kevoid shomayim it all went smoothly, but this which is the total opposite of that, a mixed event with live music Hashem doesn’t want it to take place. after halacha DOES say that one who performs in front of men & women mixed has a status of a rasha. That is the hard truth.
But of course we can’t make assumptions because we don’t know what Hashem’s cheshboines are.
While this is obvious Anti-Semitism, it is also a security issue. Many of the millions of muslims living in Britain and their just as many supporters have shown multiple times, they will not shy from violently attacking any venue associating with Jews or Israel.
Unfortunately, this is now the situation in all of Europe, in other words – WE ARE IN GOLUS AND ONLY HASHEM CAN PROTECT US.
Wake-up Yidden!!! What happened to the Yiddin after the football match in Holland, can very well happen in London!! ה’ ירחם
Hi
I am sorry but I do not see that this is anti semitism at all. They are calling themselves the Am Yisrael chai concert. If it was cool the free Palestine concert.I believe that would have issues as well.
why not rent a lot ( in general if possible contracts should have a clause to hold the venue responsible with substantial monetary penalties if they back out for political or “security” reasons) put up a heated tent acoustics wont be up to par but better then cancelling the event
emetsealofhashem
I have no idea what you wrote and I don’t think anyone else really does either. I would suggest you learn how to spell and transliterate a bit more correctly than you did.
You rather they didn’t call it a concert and called it more in line along the luby ways, and call it a farbrengin?
Emet seal: what are you doing on the internet, isn’t that also assur?
This seems like just another textbook Yiddishe business move.
“Organizers are already working to secure a larger venue, ensuring that the concert not only takes place but does so with even greater strength and impact.”
1. Book a smaller hall.
2. Have it cancelled.
3. In the name of “Fighting Antisemitism” book a larger hall
4. People that did not plan on attending buy tickets to show support &/or out of Jewish guilt.
This proven method increases ticket sales by 20-30%
Benny certainly knew what he was doing when he hired his management team
Emetseal: It really, REALLY gets on my nerves when people write ‘Hashem’ with a small h. Anyway it may be problematic to have the name “Hashem” in your username…….
emetsealofhashem
you totally missed the boat !
it’s not avoda zora you shota
Good music has the power to arouse unity, something people clearly need these days..
All angry and divisive folks should seek serious help for themselves. Praying for them….
As far as the actual gathering, why not invite King Charles who likes Jewish people and Jewish music? That should end the security concerns.
Hatzlocha raba. May H” bless all noble efforts.
Enough negativity…isnt it enough that the Umos HaOlam do that to us, we dont need it amongst each other