On Sunday, October 30, 2022, Hawaiʻi Betsuin welcomes renowned American/Israeli concert cellist Udi Bar-David and his violinist daughter, Erika Sato Bar-David, to our 10 a.m. English-language worship gathering. See box below for how to attend!

This “Aloha Service” is designed in a nontraditional format that will appeal to both newcomers and legacy members. Elements of the service will be described so the audience will better understand what is going on. We hope this “introduction to Hawaiʻi Betsuin” type of service will help visitors understand our temple, Shin Buddhism, and return for future visits.

The service sections are arranged to complement and support the goal of providing an inspiring spiritual experience. The featured musical element is cello and violin music offered by the Bar-Davids. Rod Moriyama, a Minister’s Lay Assistant from the Wahiawa Hongwanji temple will deliver a dharma message.

Hawaiʻi Betsuin is eager to share this Aloha Service with the Honolulu community as well as our members and those of connected organizations including Hongwanji Mission School, Pacific Buddhist Academy, and Hongwanji Boy and Girl Scout organizations.

Our October 30 “Aloha Service” will be offered both in person in our main temple hall (hondo) and online via Zoom. Our address is 1727 Pali Highway, Honolulu, HI 96813, but please note that parking lot access is via Lusitana Street behind the temple. For Zoom connection details, please see https://hawaiibetsuin.org/sunday-service-zoom-details/.

About Udi Bar-David

Improvisational performance by Udi Bar-David at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin on a visit in spring 2022. He has named it “Inspirations @Hawaii Betsuin.”

Udi Bar-David is the founder of ARTolerance and Artistic Director and Cellist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is widely considered one of the most versatile cellists in the world, performing on international stages with both classical and ethnic musicians. Udi studied in Tel-Aviv, with Leonard Rose at the Juilliard School, and Orchestral Conducting at Curtis Institute of Music.

Udi won the International Villa Lobos Competition in Brazil, and appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Jerusalem Symphony and Philly Pops. He was featured on the TODAY show, and was represented by Astral Artistic Services and the Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity. He has served as principal cellist with many orchestras, and has been a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra since the late 1980s.

As a chamber musician, Udi has collaborated with Christoph Eschenbach, Leon Fleisher, Jaime Laredo, Rudolph Buchbinder, Emanuel Ax and others. As Founder and Artistic Director of Intercultural Journeys, he produced numerous events world-wide. Udi has recently created Artolerance – an important new effort to expand the crucial role music and the arts play in fostering understanding and tolerance.

Udi has toured the US, Europe, Palestine, Israel, Cuba and Asia, with world-renowned artists, including Jie Bing Chen, Nawang Khechog, Hanna Khoury, Wu Man, Diane Monroe, R. Carlos Nakai, Mandy Patinkin, and Simon Shaheen.

Since his daughter Erika moved to Oahu, he has been spending much time on the island while residing in Punchbowl. While on the island, Udi has joined the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, presented masterclasses at Punahou, Iolani & Masaki Schools and recorded for ARTolerance at various locations.

(Adapted from https://artolerance.org/udi-bar-david/.)

About Erika Sato Bar-David

Erika Sato Bar-David has been teaching violin extensively on Oahu since moving to the island in August 2019. She has been affiliated with Aloha, Manoa & Masaki music schools.

Erika has been working on the revival of Hawaiian culture with prominent native singers from the islands and is very involved with the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. Erika Sato Bar-David resides in Honolulu.