Most singers would be on thin ice if, while performing “The Star Spangled Banner” in front of thousands of fans, their mic went out. But Jewish singer Nicole Raviv didn’t slip, continued singing the national anthem and was joined by fans prior to an NHL playoff game between the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins in Game 6 of the second round in June of 2021.
“As a performer, you have to keep singing, especially when you’re on television,” Raviv told the Journal. “I was happy for the support from the fans and I was happy the Islanders won.”
Originally from Montreal and born to Israeli parents, Raviv said she’s been thrilled to perform at numerous stadiums to sing at sporting events. In honor of Israel’s 75th birthday, Raviv recently released a video with her take on the classic “Kol Ha’olam Kulo” with the band Narrow Bridge in which she sings in Hebrew English and Arabic and is joined by singer Yair Levi. The video was made in collaboration with Jewish National Fund USA and the World Jewish Congress.
The band takes its name from the lyrics “gesher tsar me’od” which mean a very narrow bridge. The song’s chorus reminds listeners that the main thing while crossing is not to be afraid.
“I heard the song when I was little and what resonates is the idea to bridge people together to lessen any divide there is whether it is political or for any other reason,” Raviv said. “I got feedback from people that were not familiar with the song that they identified with the desire to not be afraid because we live in a world where there are things that make people fearful.”
To promote the song, Narrow Bridge held a song competition where people could submit their version of the song in their native language. The winner will win a free trip to Israel and perform with Raviv at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. The winner will be announced on May 22.
“The goal is to promote Jewish diversity,” Raviv said.
Raviv’s Romanian mother and Moroccan father immigrated from Israel, and she said she began voice lessons when she was little.
She honed her skills at McGill University’s conservatory, the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and the New School in New York.
While she has performed at Nassau Coliseum, UBS Arena, the Barclays Center and other heralded venues for thousands, she said her most meaningful performance was for the Israeli American Council in Miami, where she was accompanied by IDF Col. Golan Vach on guitar and harmonica. Listen here to her impressive vocals and Vach’s musicianship in their rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Vach is the leader of a unit of the Israeli Defense Forces that deals with rescue missions and his 15-member group has been to Albania, Haiti and went to Surfside, Florida after the tower collapse on June 24, 2001 in which 98 people were killed.
“It was an honor to sing ‘Hallelujah’ with him,” Raviv said. “The work he does with his group in communities around the world is amazing.” She added, “I get a thrill whenever I sing and I’m excited to be working on my own music as well.”
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