Grammy-winning Israeli violinist Miri Ben-Ari participated Tuesday in a New York event to celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary, organized by the Israeli consulate and the city’s African-American community. The renowned hip-hop musician performed alongside a number of African-American gospel choirs from the city at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater. The event was co-organized by Ben-Ari’s Gedenk foundation, Rabbi Mark Schneier’s Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and hip-hop tycoon Russel Simmons. “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the friendship between the State of Israel and black America, which was established by Martin Luther King Jr. during the days of the Civil Rights Movement,” Ben-Ari said. “Since I was born in Israel, and my music has generated such a warm relationship with the African-American community, this event, marking Israel’s 60th anniversary, is particularly important for me.” In 2004, Ben-Ari shared a Grammy award with the rap singer Kanye West for their song Jesus Walking. Tuesday’s performance is one in a series of events organized by the Israeli consulate in New York to celebrate the country’s 60th anniversary. Later this month, several U.S. celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Brook Shields, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, are slated to congratulate Israel through a large screen at Times Square.