On November 25, 2026, a theatrical musical show “For Odessa!” will take place in Ashkelon — an evening of songs, stories, dances, and Jewish humor. Victoria Gissen, Marina Yakubovich, and an instrumental ensemble under the musical direction of Lev Sandyuk will perform on the stage of the Congress Hall. The author of the literary part of the program is Dr. Mordechai Yushkovsky, a researcher of Yiddish culture.
Author: Victoria Katsman
For readers of NANews, this concert is interesting not only because of the lineup. Its main theme is Odessa, a Ukrainian city that holds a special place in the history of the Jewish people and the development of modern Israeli culture.
The performance will begin at 19:30 at Yitzhak Ben-Zvi Street, 12. Duration — two hours. The ticket price, as indicated on the Ose Haim box office website, is 80 shekels.
Odessa, remembered for its songs, stories, and jokes
The poster for the performance features the building of the legendary Odessa market “Privoz,” a woman in a red dress, a man in a hat, and a white goose. This almost theatrical scene immediately sets the mood for the evening.
However, “For Odessa!” is not just a concert of familiar melodies.
The organizers present the program as a musical journey through the Jewish history of Odessa. The city developed Jewish theater, literature, journalism, cantorial singing, education in Yiddish and Hebrew.
It was here that people lived and worked whose names later became part of the cultural and social history of Israel. Odessa is connected with the lives of Chaim Nahman Bialik, Vladimir Jabotinsky, Ahad Ha’am, and other figures of Jewish national revival.
A separate theme of the performance is Odessa humor. Its peculiarity lies not only in jokes but also in the intonation, character of the characters, and the ability to talk about everyday difficulties with a smile.
Music and stories should connect these different sides of the city — from the noisy “Privoz” to literary salons, from family stories to songs passed down through generations.
Who will perform on stage
The main vocal parts will be performed by Victoria Gissen and Marina Yakubovich.
Victoria Gissen is known for musical-theatrical performances where the song becomes a small stage story. This format is especially suitable for a program built on Odessa characters and dialogues.
Marina Yakubovich is an Israeli singer born in the Ukrainian Ostroh, Rivne region. She has been performing Jewish songs for many years, working with the musical heritage of Yiddish, and participating in cultural projects in Israel and beyond.
Her participation adds another dimension to the evening: the Jewish culture of Ukrainian cities and towns continues to live on the Israeli stage.
The musical director of the performance Lev Sandyuk is known for his work with klezmer music — the traditional instrumental art of Eastern European Jews. It features violin, clarinet, accordion, and dance melodies.
The instrumental lineup will include:
- Lev Sandyuk — keyboards.
- Mikhail Blinkov — clarinet.
- Evgeny Pisak — guitar.
- Ilya Zhornitsky — accordion.
- Alexander Botvinkin — percussion.
The dance part will be presented by the “Revolution” show ballet under the direction of Natalia Kligerman.
Mordechai Yushkovsky: the man who preserves language and memory
The literary part of the show was written by Dr. Mordechai Yushkovsky, a researcher of Jewish literature and Yiddish culture born in Ukraine.
Since 1989, he has lived in Israel. He received his doctorate from Bar-Ilan University, taught, trained Yiddish specialists, and worked for many years in the Israeli education system.
Yushkovsky is known for his lectures and publications on Jewish folklore, literature, and humor.
In a performance dedicated to Odessa, the participation of such an author is of special significance. Behind the funny stories and familiar melodies lies a cultural tradition that survived mass emigration, wars, and the destruction of a significant part of European Jewish communities during the Holocaust.
Why this evening is of interest to the Israeli audience
For many families in Israel, Odessa is part of their own history. Parents, grandparents brought songs, expressions, photos, and memories from there.
But the connections are deeper than family memory.
In the early 20th century, Odessa was one of the centers of Jewish public and cultural life in the territory of modern Ukraine. Jewish writers, journalists, teachers, and public figures participated in the formation of ideas that later developed in Israel.
Therefore, the evening “For Odessa!” can be perceived both as an entertainment program and as a meeting with a heritage that connects two countries.
Moreover, to get acquainted with this culture, it is not necessary to have Odessa roots. Music, humor, and stage stories allow you to learn about the city through the fates of its residents.
Where and when the show “For Odessa!” will take place
Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2026.
Time: 19:30–21:30.
City: Ashkelon.
Venue: Congress Hall, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi St., 12.
Cost: 80 ₪ according to the box office information.
Tickets: Ose Haim — official page of the show “For Odessa!”.
The event is held under the auspices of the National Authority for Yiddish Culture. The poster also features the Ashkelon Municipality and Crystal Club.
Odessa in this performance is not just a city by the Black Sea. These are songs that continue to be performed in Israel, stories shared in families, and humor understood even by those who have never been to the famous “Privoz.”
