The COVID-19 outbreak resulted in tens of cancelled performances for the Shalva Band, as well as a cancelled tour in the United States. The band members were in quarantine in their homes, forced to take a break from the whirlwind of the past year and to readjust to a new reality. This past year, the Shalva Band rose to stardom through the “Rising Start to the Eurovision” television competition and performed at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel-Aviv. They continued on to some of Israel’s most prominent stages, like the national Memorial Day Independence Day and Independence Day ceremonies. They led a nationwide social awareness campaign, put out new singles, and performed many sold-out concerts throughout the year.

The new reality which resulted from the COVID-19 outbreak led to new opportunities; including a collaboration with the famous Israeli composer and conductor Kobi Oshrat. At first, this partnership transpired in a seemingly coincidental manner, but quickly became clear to be a matter of destiny.

When Kobi Oshrat first met the Shalva Band backstage at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest; like many others, he was taken aback by the band’s magical aura. He approached them to wish them good luck and expressed interest in working together with the band in the future.

A mere few months later, Kobi reveled that he was battling Cancer on a television broadcast in which he shared that he would have to undergo a kidney transplant. That same month, the Shalva organization held a large fundraising event which was attended by Kobi and his wife and, of course, included entertainment by the Shalva Band. At that event, Kobi was approached by a young man who he had not previously met, who told him, “Nice to meet you, I am your donor.” It turns out that this young man was inspired by the television broadcast and decided to donate a kidney to Koby should he be considered an appropriate match.

When lyricist Nili Peterson sent Kobi Oshrat the lyrics to the song TOUCH, it was clear to Kobi that it would be most befitting to perform together with the Shalva Band, at whose event he first met his kidney donor. Undoubtedly, there is no one more capable than the Shalva Band to translate this moving story of humanity and hope into a creation of beautiful music with classic, feel-good vibes.

The music video was directed by Aya Zach and filmed just two days before Kobi’s kidney transplant. Here are the amazingly moving results