In a year when Jews worldwide faced extraordinary challenges, Eden Golan’s story is one we can all appreciate. The Israeli singer rose to international prominence after her powerful performance of “Hurricane” earned her a fifth-place finish at Eurovision 2024, winning the hearts of audiences around the globe and reminding us of the unifying power of music.
Now, Golan is bringing her talent and story to St. Louis, headlining a special event for the local Jewish community on Jan. 16 at The Factory at The District in Chesterfield.
How this concert came to be
For local entrepreneur Dafna Revah, the idea of bringing Golan to St. Louis started with a simple question: Why not here?
“My husband, David, and I were inspired to create a fun, engaging community event for the St. Louis community,” Revah said. “After a tough year with rising antisemitism, we felt it was important to organize something uplifting and celebratory for our local Jewish population.”
The spark for the idea came after David traveled to Miami in 2023 to see an Israeli singer. “It got us wondering—why should we need to travel to places like Miami, New York or LA to see incredible Israeli talent? St. Louis has a vibrant Jewish community, and we deserve access to these kinds of meaningful cultural experiences here at home.”
When Revah pitched the idea to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, they were all in. “Amy Bornstein at the Federation has been a tremendous partner, ensuring every detail is aligned for success,” Revah said. She also credited Becca Near, from United Hatzalah, for helping to make the event a reality.
Having Golan as the headliner made the event even more special. “She’s a young role model who displayed incredible poise and resilience while facing antisemitism during her participation in Eurovision this summer,” Revah said. “Having her as the star of this event feels deeply meaningful and symbolic of the strength and unity we want to foster.”
The antisemitism Eden Golan’s faced
Golan’s story is as compelling as her music. Born in Israel, she spent part of her childhood in Moscow, where she encountered antisemitism as one of the few Jewish students in her school. Her return to Israel during the war in Ukraine solidified her connection to her heritage and informed her music, which often explores themes of hope, identity and perseverance.
Her Eurovision journey was no less dramatic. Her song, originally titled “October Rain,” was rewritten as “Hurricane” after organizers deemed the original too political. Despite protests outside her hotel and hostility from some contestants, Golan delivered a performance that resonated with audiences, earning her a fifth-place finish thanks to an overwhelming audience vote.
Bringing her story to St. Louis
On Jan. 16, St. Louis audiences will have the opportunity to experience Golan’s music and inspiring journey in person.
The evening begins with a VIP Meet & Greet at 5:30 p.m., where fans can meet Golan, take photos, and receive a signed poster. The main show starts at 6:30 p.m., with special guests “Folkstone” opening the night. Kosher snacks and drinks will also be available for purchase.
Tickets are available now at TheFactorySTL.com and Ticketmaster. For more details, contact Amy Bornstein at [email protected] or call 314-442-3763.
