Festival residency
International Zamru Prayer Festival RESIDENCY track • June 22-25, 2026
We are delighted and excited to invite you to the annual Zamru Prayer Festival, taking place in the summer of 2026 at the Fuchsberg Center in Jerusalem.
Zamru – The Prayer Festival is an annual gathering dedicated to creators and leaders of prayer. It serves as a space for encounter, creation, inspiration, and learning, exploring the unique intersection between prayer, music, and artistic expression. The festival brings together prayer-makers from Israel and around the world. We welcome participants from across the diverse spectrum of prayer rooted in Jewish tradition and Israeli culture, while remaining curious and creative in exploring its contemporary expression — in services, rituals, and the spiritual spaces of the world in which we live.
As part of the festival, we will offer a Residency Track focused on writing, composing, and producing original new prayer songs, which will be recorded, filmed, and released to the world following the festival.
ABOUT THE RESIDENCY track:
The Residency Track is designed for a small, select group of twelve (12) participants. It is intended for prayer-makers who are professional musicians or musicians of a high artistic level. As part of the creative process, participants will divide into four working groups of three creators each. Each group will write a new and original prayer song. The group’s creative work will include exploration, engagement with sources of inspiration, lyric writing, composition, arrangement, and a professional recording of the song on the final day of the festival (June 25).
The Residency Track will begin on Sunday, June 21, at 10:00 AM and conclude on Thursday, June 25, at 7:00 PM. Full participation throughout all days of the festival is required.
The residency group will be led and musically produced by Arnon Naor (Sun Tailor). Arnon is an experienced singer-songwriter, composer, and music producer who has released four albums and brings extensive experience in musical production and artistic collaborations.
Arnon is a graduate of Cohort IV of the Zamru program and, since 2025, has served as the musical producer and artistic director of Zamru’s annual program productions as well as the festival residency track.
our label- zamru
Over the years of Zamru’s activity, a growing community of prayer-makers has formed — creating together and bringing new, original prayer music into the world.
The songs recorded as part of the Residency Track at the 2026 Prayer Festival will be released as an EP under Zamru’s music label.
Previously released Zamru EPs include:
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Anenu – Summer 2024
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– Summer 2025
Testimonials
It simply felt right to come together with other creators — not just to write songs together, but to engage in creating new prayers. Like the song, “Shiru L’hashem Shir Hadash.” There is something powerful about constantly renewing our prayers so that they remain fresh, alive, and relevant. For me as a creator, doing this together is a deeply enriching and special experience. It’s something I want — and know — we will continue: to meet, to write, and to collaborate. The possibility of building a human network of creators, of talented and inspired people, opens up so many possibilities for the future.
I’m here because I believe music is light, and I believe it carries an essential role in the world. This space truly allows that light to grow. I’m leaving with a deep sense of authenticity and a freer way of connecting with people — without barriers or walls — bringing hearts closer through music and through honest, meaningful conversations between artists. My vision is simple: to bring hearts closer through music. That’s what I learned here, and it’s also what humanity needs right now — to gather in circles, to be a true community together, the way we’re meant to be.
I had the privilege of being part of the residency track at the festival — it was perhaps one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. To meet other creators who speak a language similar to mine through different artistic mediums, and to understand that I am not alone as a creator in this world. To connect to a true and deep prayer. All of this found expression in the works that were born during just those few days we shared together. What happened there is unbelievable, a great wonder, an immense privilege. Endless gratitude.
To know that we are not alone in this sacred mission and to succeed in connecting people to the divinity within them and around them is so important and essential in these times. Thank you for the opportunity to let the heart expand.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime and deeply meaningful experience — to create together, to open the heart in song and in prayer. You created a unique and supportive space. The investment and support you gave are truly not something to be taken for granted.
Wow, I received endless inspiration from the shared connection — from a vulnerable space that holds the pains we share, and from within that space we are able to call out through the music and the words in prayer.
Music from the 2025 Festival
Reach Out
Meir Berman
+972-52-625-2227
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the festival open to overseas participants?
Yes – we welcome overseas participants. Most of the participants will be Israelis, but we are delighted to reserve a limited number of places for overseas participants.
Do I need to speak Hebrew to attend the festival?
Sessions will be held in Hebrew with some English. We recommend that participants have a basic level of Hebrew and will ensure that English-friendly sessions will be made available throughout the festival.
Will Residency Track participants be able to take part in festival workshops?
The core focus of the Residency Track throughout the festival will be the creative process. We intend to allow partial participation of Residency Track participants in selected festival workshops, subject to the schedule that will be published at a later date.
How much does it cost and what does it include?
The participation fee for overseas participants, which is subsidized by our generous donors and sponsors, is $720.
This fee includes full participation in the festival, 3 nights of accommodation (double occupancy), and 3 meals per day.
How does the registration process work?
Please complete the registration process, including payment. As this festival is intended for a professional community, the festival team will be in contact with each applicant and reserves the right to accept or decline registrations at its discretion.
If a registration is not approved, the full payment will be refunded.
What is the schedule?
The Festival Residency Track will open on Sunday, June 21, at 10:00 AM and conclude on Thursday, June 25, at 7:00 PM. The full festival program and detailed Residency Track schedule will be released at a later date.
Can I register only for the Residency Track?
Yes. Please indicate this in the registration form. As the Residency Track is limited to a small number of participants, the festival team will be in contact with each applicant and reserves the right to accept or decline applications at its discretion.
If we are unable to offer you a place in the Residency Track, participation in the general Festival Track will remain open. In the event that your residency application is not approved, any payment made toward the residency will be fully refunded.
What are the requirements for the Residency Track?
The Residency Track is designed for a small, select group of 12 participants. It is intended for prayer-makers who are professional musicians or musicians of a high artistic level.
Will there be performances at the festival?
As part of the festival, we are planning several performances that will be produced, created, and led by festival participants. These events will take place in Jerusalem and in additional locations and will be open to the general public.
The Residency Track is expected to take part in some of these activities.