Cellist Amit Peled Uses the Power of Music to Express his Support for Israel

January 25, 2024 Simone Ellin, Associate Editor

Pikesville-based cellist Amit Peled is shown here at the historic Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis playing "Hatikvah." (Provided photo)

Sometimes, music simply speaks a lot louder than words.

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, Amit Peled, a world-renowned, Israeli-born cellist and Peabody Institute professor, has tried to use music as a means of expressing support for his native country and raising awareness about antisemitism.

On Sunday afternoon, Jan. 14, Peled, a Pikesville resident, performed as a soloist at a chamber orchestra concert at the historic Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Prior to the concert, one attendee wrote a letter to the conductor complaining about Peled’s previous public pro-Israel comments.

The conductor asked Peled to refrain from talking about Israel while on the stage. “Of course, I wouldn’t speak if the conductor asked me not to, because I’m his guest,” said Peled. “But I decided I’ll just play [Israel’s national anthem] ‘Hatikvah’ instead. In many ways, that was much more powerful than words. A lot of people just wept in the orchestra and in the audience.

“It’s very emotional to be able to share your voice in a way that most of my colleagues aren’t doing,” he said. “They’re just scared of it. I’m not going to be scared. … [People] need to see and hear it firsthand. They cannot just read the news and the propaganda.”

Peled’s musical crusade on behalf of the Jewish state began shortly after the Hamas attacks while on a flight to Florida, with his cello by his side. During the flight, Peled thought about his family and friends in Israel, particularly his 19-year-old daughter Gaia, a Beth Tfiloh graduate who is in Israel on a gap year.

A curious flight attendant asked Peled if he would consider playing his cello. The 51-year-old musician and former kibbutz resident had one caveat: “You have to promise me you will tell everybody [on the flight] I dedicate this to my daughter, who is now in Israel.”

The flight attendant agreed, and Peled played a stirring rendition of “Hatikvah.” His pianist videotaped the performance, which went viral on social media and made the TV news in Israel.

“It was the first time I stood up and realized I should use my voice,” said Peled. “I’m Israeli. What can I do to help? I decided back then that I’m using my cello; I’m using my platform, which is social media, and concerts. …

“I’m not going to stop. I owe it to my country,” he said. “If we cannot live proudly as who we are, then what’s the reason for doing it?”