GOD BLESS AMERICA
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor

"God Bless America" was written by Irving Berlin, an immigrant himself, during World War I. This patriotic song it has become over the years the unofficial anthem of Immigrants across the United States, manifesting their hope for a better life in the land of endless possibilities. In 1938, Irving Berlin, who was Jewish and had arrived in America from Russia, felt it was time to revive it as a "peace song."

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As a part of Onyc's Productions and our Musical Events division in cooperation with the Israeli Artists Project (IAP), we are proud to host, empower and support the work of international performers in the pursuit of their careers in the United States. This rendition of the song meshes up “God Bless America” with “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” also by Irvin Berlin to create a unique adaptation of today’s immigration climate.

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In August 2019 Francis Cissna, the head of the USCIS, misquoted (on purpose) the words to the poem "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor", which remains part of a systematic effort to make immigration into the US harder, and to damage the image of immigrants across the country. This is exerting a big toll on immigrants who are currently in the US trying to make a life for themselves, as well as new applicants hoping to relocate to the United States. We are hoping to shed some light on this manner and do it in the best way we know how - through art.

New York, NY (December 11th, 2019) – New York based “Onyc Productions” and “The Israeli Artists Project” announced the filming of a multi-cultural singing performance with 20 singers orchestrated by Tegan Miller and musical director Assaf Gleizner. Performing a unique rendition of the song "America the Beautiful" at the awe-inspiring Congregation “Rodef Sholom” synagogue in NYC.

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We hope to bring to light true stories from the lives of immigrant artists living in New York, their hardship as well as their ambition to showcase different cultures brought together by music and passion.

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A series of short video interviews containing their stories on top of footage of the recording of the song will be released twice a week before Christmas 2019 where the full video recording of the song "America the Beautiful" will be released right here.