I have always striven to raise the voice of hope for a world where hate gives way to respect and oppression to liberation.

Although I am deeply grateful to a great many people, I forgo the temptation of naming them for fear that I might slight any by omission.

For I firmly believe that Jewish life, indeed any communal life, can only be organized according to democratic principles.

The play is always fresh to me. It's not the audience's fault that I've said the words before.

I am first, and foremost, an actor. That's what I am. To me, a song is a mini-drama. My musical ability informs the actor as well because it gives me a sense of timing that non-musicians don't have. So, one hand washes the other.

But there is a difference here: When Jewish children are murdered, Arabs celebrate the deed. The death of an Arab child is no cause for celebration in Israel.

No movement can afford to be caught in a time warp and exist in a state of suspended animation.