Today during lunch students can enjoy more than the normal fare at Oklahoma Memorial Union. A group of drummers from across the world are coming to Norman to give the OU campus a unique look at Israeli culture.

Four members of King David's Peace Drummers will be performing in Beaird Lounge in the union. Students are encouraged to bring their lunches and join the drummers from noon to 2 p.m.

"This is an opportunity not to focus on the Middle East conflict, but to show the positive aspects of Israel including its culture," said Leah Bhimani, Hillel programming coordinator.

The Israeli Drum Circle, which was established in 1997, works to "create understanding, peace and cooperation between individuals, groups and cultures," according to the group's Web site.

The performance is presented by Hillel and co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel, the Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the Israeli Consulate in Houston, One Gift Shop, the Women's Outreach Center and Union Programming Board.

Students will hear a medley of African drums and numerous percussion instruments. The drummers encourage those in the audience to join the performers. Students are invited to bring their own instruments or use one of the many open drums to contribute to the event.

"It's a really exciting group vibe. Everyone participates," Bhimani said. "You want to get into it."

King David's Peace Drummers have performed in many of the most tension-filled areas of the Middle East, including the border of Jordan and Iraq. They have also performed all over the world with joint Jewish and Arab groups at schools, unity and peace events, religious festivals, and conferences.

Several OU students won't be seeing the drummers for the first time. Daniel Foland, accounting senior, saw the group in Israel in May of 2001.

"There's something unifying about them. It's so expressive" Foland said, "and if nothing else if it helps get people talking on campus it would be great."
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