VIDEO: Noa Talks Israel, Anti-Semitism, Sexism and Songwriting

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Misogyny in the music industry, anti-Semitism in Europe and the glory of Carole King were just a few of the topics that Israeli singer Noa and Forward editor-in-chief Jane Eisner covered during a February 16 conversation at New York City’s Temple Emanu-El.
Noa took to the stage earlier that evening, performing an hour-long set packed with storytelling and songs. She was accompanied by a longtime collaborator, guitarist Gil Dor.
The performance took place shortly before the Jewish National Fund of Canada from the Jewish Federation of Vancouver’s upcoming Yom Ha’atzmaut event because Noa was slated to perform.
JNF Canada explained that the decision was based on Noa’s alleged BDS ties, although the singer herself has explicitly stated that she does not support BDS. “I am absolutely and completely against the BDS [campaign],” she wrote on her Facebook page. “I see it as a hypocritical movement full of contradictions who will not bring peace to Israel nor help the Palestinians achieve their goals; very much on the contrary.”
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
