The short film Studio Visit with Neta Weiner is available to watch at the top of the page.
Neta Weiner, a distinguished poet, musician, and actor, is an extraordinary artist utilizing his diverse talents to navigate the complex relationship between his identities as an exiled Jew and an Israeli. Famed for his skillful manipulation of the Hebrew language, Weiner dissects and reassembles it, employing his primary instrument—the accordion—to forge an unparalleled performative musical experience.
Embracing numerous roles in the arts, Weiner has built a multifaceted career spanning various creative realms. He’s established a thriving solo music career and serves as the lead singer of the Arab-Jewish hip-hop band System Ali. Beyond music, Weiner has made significant impacts on contemporary theatre and performance.
At the core of his work as a poet, Weiner upholds the philosophy that every artist should forge a deep connection with their roots. He embodies this belief by writing and singing in Hebrew and Yiddish, fostering a profound bond between his cultural heritage and creative expression.
System Ali, an integral part of Weiner’s artistic portfolio, extends this philosophy of deep-rooted connection. The band members, like Weiner, believe in creating and performing in their native languages—including Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, and English—to foster a deep bond with their respective heritages. The languages they employ are not merely the sum of the band members’ mother tongues; they symbolize the cultural intersections their music seeks to explore.
This philosophy also permeates the Beit System Ali cultural educational movement, where Weiner serves as the artistic director. Rooted in the belief in the transformative power of artistic action, this movement seeks to promote equality and incite socio-political change. This deepens the band’s commitment to bridging cultural divides and illustrates their dedication to harnessing the power of art for social impact in Israel. Under Weiner’s artistic guidance, they are striving to create a lasting impact on the Israeli socio-cultural landscape.
Weiner’s theatrical contributions include creating and participating in the award-winning performance Cut. Loose. He has also shown his versatility in the TV series Fire Dance and Echo of Your Voice.
Weiner’s musical discography started in 2016 with his debut album, By Right of Return. His subsequent album, A Boy Named Neta, released in 2022, features songs in Hebrew, Yiddish, Arabic, and English, reflecting the breadth of Weiner’s linguistic abilities and his dedication to cross-cultural expression.
Neta Weiner’s multidimensional approach to art provides a unique perspective on bridging cultural divides through music, poetry, and performance. His work stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of human connection, crafted through a shared cultural and linguistic heritage. Through his exploration of identity and commitment to his roots, Weiner continues to redefine boundaries, affirming that the language of creativity is indeed universal.
An accompanying video presents a deeper exploration of Weiner’s collaborative process within System Ali and his artistic methodology.
The featured video Studio Visit with Neta Weiner is part of the web series Yotsrim by Shachaf Dekel. Yotsrim includes five seasons and 73 episodes. The series won the Best Documentary award at the NYC Web Fest in 2019.
