Abigail Klein Leichman
August 28, 2017, Updated August 29, 2017

British singer, musician, performer, actor and philanthropist Sir Cliff Richard is scheduled to give a concert on October 10 at Tel Aviv’s Menora Mivtachim Arena.

First, however, the “Devil Woman” pop star will appear at a reception in Herzliya to benefit the Freddie Krivine Foundation, which manages tennis schools in a growing number of mainly Arab communities in Israel.

The October 9 event at the Steele Tennis Club on the beach includes Pimms, wine and canapés. Tax-deductible tickets cost ₪1,000 (approximately $275) and there are 80 available.

Up to 10 people wishing to donate ₪5,000 (approximately $1,400) will not only get to come to the reception but also will get VIP seats at the Tel Aviv concert, come early for the sound check with the band, meet Richard and take a group photo with him and have the opportunity to buy personally autographed CDs.

“This is a hugely exciting event for us,” said Jane Krivine, director of the Freddie Krivine Foundation. “Sir Cliff has been a supporter of our charity since 2005, and it is amazing that he has agreed to meet our friends and followers in Israel, the day before his concert in Tel Aviv. He knows how important it is for us to raise funds for our tennis programs for Arab and Jewish children.”

When Richard last performed in Israel, in 2013, he visited the Nazareth Tennis School, which he helped establish on the grounds of the Nazareth YMCA.

“When I first heard about the Freddie Krivine Foundation and its aim to bring Israeli Jewish and Arab children together, I needed no persuasion to be involved. Building bridges between communities is always admirable. To do so via my favorite sport, tennis, was just a perfect concept for me,” Richard said. “Arab and Jewish children playing sport together with all that means in terms of healthy competition, confidence and camaraderie can only sow good seeds for the future.”