You’ve seen the movies and heard the voice, but there’s a side of Barbra Streisand that doesn’t always make it into the Hollywood highlights. It’s her deep, sometimes complicated, and very public bond with Israel. For a long time, fans assumed she was there constantly. She wasn’t. In fact, despite being one of the world’s most famous Jewish icons, she didn’t actually perform a full concert in Israel until 2013.
Crazy, right?
She had been a vocal supporter for decades. She raised millions. She even had buildings named after her family on Israeli soil. But that first live show took a literal lifetime to happen.
The Night Golda Meir Put Barbra on Hold
If we want to understand the roots of Barbra Streisand in Israel, we have to go back to 1978. This was the "Stars Salute Israel at 30" TV special. It was a massive deal. We're talking 18 million viewers on ABC. Barbra was the closing act, backed by Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
The highlight wasn't even the singing, though her "Hatikva" was stunning. It was the phone call. On a giant screen, Prime Minister Golda Meir appeared. Barbra, ever the Brooklyn kid at heart, joked with her. She told Golda that if someone else called, it was fine to put her on hold.
Golda laughed. The audience cheered. It was a moment that cemented Streisand as the "unofficial" ambassador for the Jewish state in the American psyche.
Interestingly, Barbra didn't actually know the words to "Hatikva" before the show. She had to have someone sing it to her over the phone so she could learn it. Talk about professional pressure.
Why It Took Decades to Actually Perform There
For years, people wondered why she didn't tour Israel. She visited in 1984 to dedicate the Emanuel Streisand Building for Jewish Studies at Hebrew University, a tribute to her father. She clearly loved the place. But the concerts? Total silence for years.
Then 2013 happened.
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At 71 years old, she finally landed at Ben Gurion Airport with a 150-person entourage and her dog. This wasn't just a vacation. She was there for President Shimon Peres’s 90th birthday gala.
She sang "Avinu Malkeinu." If you haven't heard her version, it's basically a spiritual experience. Peres, a close personal friend of hers, once said no cantor in the world could sing it like she did.
The Bloomfield Stadium Moment
When she finally took the stage at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium, it was electric. 16,000 people. Two nights. She did all the hits—"The Way We Were," "Woman in Love," "People."
But she didn't just sing. She talked.
She talked about women's rights. She mentioned how "distressing" it was to hear about gender segregation on some Israeli buses or the treatment of Women of the Wall. She’s never been one to just shut up and sing.
"To remain silent about these things is tantamount to accepting them," she told the crowd.
That’s Barbra. She loves the country, but she’s going to tell you exactly what she thinks is wrong with it. She praised the Hebrew University for having Jewish and Arab students sitting together in the same classrooms. To her, that was the real "shining beacon of hope."
The Philanthropic Footprint
Her connection isn't just emotional; it's physical. You can literally walk through it.
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem: She received an honorary doctorate here in 2013. But her money had been there since the 80s.
- The Emanuel Streisand Building: This remains a hub for Jewish studies on the Mount Scopus campus.
- The New Israel Fund: She has long supported organizations that focus on social justice and equality within the country.
Some critics over the years have pushed back on her political stances. She’s a staunch liberal. She supports a two-state solution. She’s been vocal about her "distress" over the occupation of the West Bank. In a 2022 essay for The Forward, she looked back at a 1967 rally she did for Israel and admitted that while her love hasn't diminished, her worry has grown.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that her support is "unconditional" or, on the flip side, that her criticism means she's "anti." Neither is true.
Honestly, she views Israel like a family member. You can love them to death while still being incredibly annoyed by their choices. She’s stood by the country during its darkest hours, including after the October 7th attacks, where she was quick to condemn the violence and raise money for the victims.
She compares the scale of the tragedy to a 9/11 for Israel. She doesn't mince words.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Travelers
If you’re interested in the "Streisand Trail" in Israel or understanding her impact, here’s what you can actually do:
- Visit Mount Scopus: Go to the Hebrew University. Look for the Emanuel Streisand Building. It’s a tangible reminder of her commitment to education and her father’s memory.
- Listen to the 1978 Recording: Find the audio of her "Hatikva" from the Stars Salute. It’s a masterclass in vocal control and raw emotion.
- Read her 2022 Essay: If you want to understand the complexity of being a pro-Israel progressive, her piece in The Forward is a must-read. It's titled "I rallied for the survival of Israel in 1967 but now I worry about its future."
- Watch the 2013 Tel Aviv Clips: They’re all over YouTube. Seeing a 71-year-old icon finally stand on that soil is something else.
Barbra Streisand’s history with Israel isn't just a celebrity PR story. It’s a 50-year-long conversation about identity, faith, and the messy reality of supporting a nation while holding onto your own values. She didn't just give them her voice; she gave them her mind, and that's much more interesting.