Sha-alu was written in the summer of 2006, mostly at the North American Jewish Choral Festival. During that time, there were skirmishes and rocket firings on the Israel-Lebanon border, which lent even more urgency to the text from Psalm 122, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" - a feeling compellingly portrayed in this epic setting. The piece was premiered that December at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City by the Zamir Chorale. An orchestral accompaniment is available on rental (972095).
