The Participants

Donisha Prendergast is the granddaughter of Rita and Bob Marley. Her fresh and vibrant talent spans many disciplines. She is an accomplished actor who has already had a wide range of starring roles in major Jamaican television productions and stage shows.  At 12, Donisha performed background vocals on the theme song for the popular Canadian children’s animation series, Arthur, with her uncle Ziggy Marley as the lead. She went on to travel extensively with her mother, Sharon Marley, while she was a member of the Melody Makers; and to Japan, Ghana, South Africa and the United Kingdom with her grandmother, Rita Marley. She toured France with Shaggy and Rik- Rok as a dancer and choreographer. She also plays the piano and African drums.

Donisha was the Keynote Speaker and Host for Africa Unite, Youth Symposium in Ghana, South Africa and Jamaica, a yearly celebration of Bob Marley’s Birthday that is organized by Rita Marley Foundation. Donisha is the Executive Director of Manifesto Jamaica, a youth-led, non-profit organization that advocates education, empowerment and advancing engagement in the arts as a means of creating positive change at the individual, community and national levels.

Yair Zakovitch professor emeritus in biblical studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Johnny Osbourne legendary reggae singer.

Guil Bonstein “godfather” of Israeli reggae.

Yossef Sela Israeli storyteller and writer.

Roger Steffens American author, photographer and producer, best known for his Bob Marley and reggae archives, writings, and broadcasts.

Mendy Cahan Israeli scholar, performer, singer, and collector of Yiddish books.

David Serebryanik Russian piano virtuoso. 

Beta Israel Survivors rescued by Israel in Operation Moses and Operation Solomon.

Gili Yalo & Asaf Smilan Israeli musicians, formerly of Zuvuloon Dub system.

Sharon Barak tree farmer, Udi Barak,  music events producer and Yael Maimony theatre & festival performer, of Kibbutz Ze’elim.

Mohammad Hamad Israeli-Palestinian who lost his home.

Idan Raichel Israeli singer-songwriter-musician, known for his Idan Raichel Project. 

Alpha Blondy (Seydou Koné), international reggae singer and recording artist from the Ivory Coast.

Matthew Prendergast youth mentor, Donisha’s brother and Bob Marley’s grandson

Billy ‘Mystic’ Wilmot, Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter and actor.

Ras Iyah V Rasta advocate.

Cocoa Tea Jamaican reggae/dancehall singer, songwriter, and DJ.

Ras Takura Jamaican Dub Poet, recording and performing artist.

Stephan Henriques spiritual leader of the Jewish community in Kingston.

Jah9 (Janine Elizabeth Cunningham), Jamaican, “jazz on dub” singer/songwriter.

Exile Di Brave, DJ at Vinyl Thursday in Jamaica

Shaqille Henry student and rebuilding project leader in Tivoli Gardens, Jamaica.

Protoje (Oje Ken Ollivierre), Jamaican reggae revival singer and songwriter

Isa goatherder