Jerusalem Oratorio is the largest choral enterprise in Israel, with some 200 singers - children, students, professionals and retirees. The choir was founded in 1987 as an initiative of Mr. Yehuda Fikler and with the support of the Jerusalem Foundation and the Culture Department of the Jerusalem Municipality. The choir is divided into small and medium-sized groups who rehearse weekly, preparing for chamber concerts as well as large choral and orchestral projects performed by the entire choir. While the large choir participates in municipal events and in large projects, the small choirs also contribute to local cultural and social life by performing in community centers. The musical direction and conducting of the small choirs is done by several conductors, both native-born Israelis and new immigrants. The choir has performed in important festivals in Israel, on television and radio programs, and has had successful tours in England and Wales (1997), Italy (2000) and Romania (2002). Since its inception, the Jerusalem Oratorio Choir has performed a wide range of works - from early to contemporary music (including works by: Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Rossini, Puccini, Faure Bloch and Braun). The choir's repertoire also includes songs from the Yiddish and Ladino traditions, as well as old and new Hebrew and Israeli songs. The Jerusalem Oratorio Choir has to date recorded three CDs, and recorded concerts have been aired on Israel television and radio. The Jerusalem Oratorio Chamber Choir is the representative body of Oratorio. The Chamber Choir, with 25 singers, has performed in concerts in Israel and abroad, and in 1999 represented Israel in a prestigious liturgical music festival in Valencia, Spain.