An evening of firsts – the Israel Philharmonic makes a historic Soraya debut with new music director Lahav Shani who inherited the role from Los Angeles’ beloved Zubin Mehta.  Shani will provide The Soraya another milestone – the first ever Mahler symphony to resound in the Great Hall. Dedicated to uplifting Israel’s creative artists and composers, the orchestra will open the concert with the foremost Israeli composer of classical music, Paul Ben-Haim whose works uplifted Jewish life as the nation of Israel was first forming in the shadow of World War II.