(2025)
In response to the war in Israel/Gaza/Hamas, I turned to composing. A text from Jeremiah 31:15 calls out: A voice is heard in Ramah, wailing, bitter weeping—Rachel weeps inconsolably for her children because they are no more.
For me, this music serves as a witness to the tragedies unfolding: so much suffering on both sides of this troubled border. The mezzo soloist represents Rachel, the Biblical matriarch who is said to weep for her children as they pass by her grave into exile. Here, she becomes the voice of bereft parents, siblings, children, friends both in Israel and in Gaza, crying out for their missing, wounded, and deceased loved ones. As we watch and read, refusing to avert our gaze, we may serve as a compassionate witness. In the original version with chorus and soloist, the chorus represents this witness. Here, the soloist and piano also serve as witness, calling forth nishma it is heard, you are heard, we hear you. We are with you. I hope this music can offer a place where we hear each other’s voices, as we walk a shaky path towards peace.
Thanks to Gamil Gabr for the Arabic translation. English translation by the composer.
—Meira Warshauer 2025
Text and translation:
Arabic Hebrew English
hakadha ko Thus
yakool amar says
Arrahhmaan Havaya The Source of Compassion
saowton fil Rama kol b’Ramah A voice in Ramah
yusma nishma is heard:
nuwaehh n’hi Wailing
buka en-mareer b’chi tam’ru’rim bitter weeping
Rahhaeel Rakhel Rachel
Tabki m’vaca weeps
ala ‘abnae’iha al-baneha for her children.
heya tarfud me’anah She refuses
antuwaasaa l’hinakhem to be comforted
ala ‘abnae-i’ha al-baneha for her children
li ‘annahoom ki because
gha’eeboon eynenu they are gone.
Hebrew translation by Meira Warshauer. Thanks to Gamil Gabr for the Arabic translation.
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