Don't these folks look comfortable? Our latest stop on the "Musical Hug" tour took us to a movie theater in Toms River, New Jersey! Thank you so much to the @jewishfederationofoceancounty and @marqueecinemas_orchard10 for last night's wonderful event!
Why do we end each presentation with the singing of "Al Kol Eileh"? Because singing is therapeutic...a very important part of our "Musical Hug" during this difficult time for Israel and the Jewish world. 🫂🤗
Don't these folks look comfortable? Our latest stop on the "Musical Hug" tour took us to a movie theater in Toms River, New Jersey! Thank you so much to the Jewish Federation of Ocean County and Marquee Cinemas Orchard 10 for last night's wonderful event!
Why do we end each presentation with the singing of "Al Kol Eileh"? Because singing is therapeutic...a very important part of our "Musical Hug" during this difficult time for Israel and the Jewish world. 🫂🤗
Israeli and Palestinian youth choir advance on America's Got Talent!
The Jerusalem Youth Chorus performs “Home” by Phillip Phillips on AGT! Despite the violence surrounding them, they sing out for peace, justice, inclusion, and equality.
"We believe through music and through working together and talking to each other, we are taking a step forward into building that amazing future where there is justice and there is freedom and there is equality and there is inclusion.”
#agt2024 #israelimusic #israel
#agt #americasgottalent
When you're presenting to a group of singing enthusiasts, you know the "Shira B'tzibbur" is gonna be GOOD. Thank you to the @zamirchoralfoundation for inviting me to share "A Musical Hug From Israel" with all of you!! ❤️🇮🇱
When you're presenting to a group of singing enthusiasts, you know the "Shira B'tzibbur" is gonna be GOOD. Thank you to the Zamir Choral Foundation and the North American Jewish Choral Festival for inviting me to share "A Musical Hug From Israel" with all of you!! ❤️🇮🇱
These are the top 5 songs played on the radio in Israel for the week of 30 June - 06 July. Source: Media Forest
Number 5: "Rose" by Pe'er Tassi
Number 4: "Eifo Ata" by Yuval Dayan
Number 3: "Rokedet BaShkiyah" by Inbal Bibi
Number 2: "Choleh Yare'ach" by Itay Levi
Number 1: "Hakol Alai" by Netta Barzilai
The Israeli music released recently seems to be returning to "normal". Since 10/7, we'd heard very few songs about relationships, party songs, upbeat songs, etc. But over the past several weeks, they seem to be making a comeback.
Are you ready to hear them again?
#IsraeliMusic
MY FIRST TIME AT A KOOLULAM EVENT!
After following Koolulam’s success for years and watching thousands of people sing their hearts out in their many videos, I’ve long waited to experience the magic in person. So as soon as I learned that Koolulam was bringing their act to my town of Modiin, I was quick to get tickets.
Last night, it finally happened.
They called it “Koolulam Healing” – an evening of communal singing to help Israelis experience a few moments of joy during this dark time. And it was definitely a welcome diversion.
As the lights dimmed, we met our host for the evening, Matan Benshimol. Matan was charismatic, charming, comforting, empathetic, energetic, and fully cognizant of the immense “healing” responsibility he carried that evening. When the evening began with the singing of David Broza’s “Yihiyeh Tov”, I knew it would be a good night.
Soon, we dove into the main song we were learning: “L’ha’amin” (To Believe) by Idan Raichel – a song I was mildly familiar with, mostly from seeing Koolulam cover it in videos over the past few months.
The audience was split into two groups, and Matan got to work teaching each group their respective vocal roles in the song. When we first started, the harmonies seemed complicated for an entire audience to master. But somehow, with lots of repetition and huge lyrics projected on the screen, we made it work.
As we practiced, Matan would break out into song every now and then. Soon, we found ourselves happily singing along to other Israeli favorites: “Biglal HaRu’ach”, “Im Tirtzi”, Ofra Haza’s “T’fila”, and later, “Al Kol Eileh”. Between each song, Matan shared inspirational messages about our nation, our soldiers, and our future. He definitely kept the audience engaged during the 80-minute program.
After more rehearsal, it was time for our “official” performance. Feeling confident with our vocal abilities, we sang the final version flawlessly, breaking out
If you're going on a 10 hour road trip, and can only listen to one Israeli artist, who's it gonna be? Weigh in at Israeli Music Community on Facebook now!
#israelimusic #jewishmusic #מוזיקהישראלית #israel
Amazing free concert by @yuvaldayan1 in Modiin in honor of Yom Yerushalayim! And how could she not sing "Jerusalem of Gold" on this historic day?
Yuval sounded incredible as always. Thanks to @modiin.city for an amazing night!
#israelimusic #jerusalem #yomyerushalayim #jerusalemday #jerusalemofgold
My Israeli music "origin story" -
From A Musical Hug From Israel
An interesting conversation about music between @avivgeffenmusic and his 16 year old son, @dylan.geffen . From yesterday's @nassummit
#israelimusic
The bitter and the sweet... the good and the bad... It's all part of life in #israel and a big part of our "Musical Hug From Israel" program. That's why we always conclude with some "musical therapy" - singing "Al Kol Eileh" together at the end of the evening.
THANK YOU so much to @marlborojewishcenter for joining me for a very meaningful evening! And thank you so much to the young people of @marlboro.usy for joining in the fun! (Be sure to watch to the end!)
#israelimusic #מוזיקהישראלית
Last night, the world finally got to hear this year's Eurovision entry from Israel - as it was MEANT to be heard.
For those who don't know, Israel's original submission was called "October Rain", a direct reference to the immense pain Israelis were feeling after the October 7 massacre. Eurovision officials deemed the song "too political", ordering Israel to change the lyrics in order to participate.
After much debate and discussion, the revised song - "Hurricane" - was accepted. Last Saturday night, "Hurricane" brought Israel to a FIFTH PLACE finish in the Eurovision, while receiving the second highest tally of all countries in the popular vote.
Last night, at a rally in Tel Aviv to demand freedom for the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, Eden finally performed the version we've all been waiting to hear for a LONG time.
❤🇮🇱❤🇮🇱❤🇮🇱
What was it like to be in Israel this Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut?
#israelimusic #Israel #YomHaatzmaut #YomHazikaron
Now THIS is what I was waiting for! I didn't know every song, but I knew enough to make this the PERFECT Yom Ha'atzmaut activity. Chag Sameach!! 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
#shirabtzibbur #israelimusic #yomhaatzmaut
One of the most meaningful Yom HaZikaron videos ever, courtesy of the Israel Defense Forces.
Our program, "A Musical Hug From Israel," takes participants on an emotional roller coaster that can be very powerful. So it only makes sense that, at the very end, we take a moment to decompress through song. Communal singing is incredibly therapeutic, and "Al Kol Eileh" is the perfect choice.
Thank you to the wonderful folks at @sachlavisrael for bringing me to their office on Yom Hazikaron, to connect with the pain of the day though powerful Israeli music!
#musicalhug #yomhazikaron #israelimusic
Yom HaShoah 5784. My first time experiencing the piercing siren 🚨 during which the entire country comes to a grinding halt to remember the Six Million.
I had planned to experience this in a public place. To share the moment with countless others. To capture this moment of reflection on video as so many do each year.
But ten minutes beforehand...it begins to POUR.
So I captured the emotional moment from my backyard.
Not sure what to make of the fact that the heavens suddenly opened up - during a time of year when rain is rare in Israel - at nearly the exact time the country was mourning the souls we lost during the Shoah. You can draw your own conclusions.
But this year, that siren meant so much more.
It's not the first siren we've heard since we made Aliyah. The first was on October 7, 2023, when our family huddled in our safe room, unsure of what the heck was going on. Rockets were raining down on much of the country, and yeah, we were a little unsettled by the "welcome" we received only 6 weeks after moving here.
Since that day, sirens have become fairly common in many parts of Israel. The novelty, sadly, has worn off. So when the Yom HaShoah siren wails throughout the land, it brings back some difficult memories of a time not too long ago (and still a regular occurrence for some).
Today's siren also reminds us that "Never Again" is NOW.
Jews around the world are under attack, with scenes on the news that look eerily familiar to anyone who's learned the history of the 1930s. Today's siren reminds us that we need to remain vigilant, that the world has learned nothing, and that a strong State of Israel 🇮🇱 is more important than ever.
As you go through your day today, take a moment to think about what our parents and grandparents went through during those unimaginable days... and rededicate our efforts to ensure it never happens again.
Because it's happening.
#yomhashoah #neveragain #neveragainisnow
Yom HaShoah 5784. My first time experiencing the piercing siren 🚨 during which the entire country comes to a grinding halt to remember the Six Million.
I had planned to experience this in a public place. To share the moment with countless others. To capture this moment of reflection on video as so many do each year.
But ten minutes beforehand...it begins to POUR.
So I captured the emotional moment from my backyard.
Not sure what to make of the fact that the heavens suddenly opened up - during a time of year when rain is rare in Israel - at nearly the exact time the country was mourning the souls we lost during the Shoah. You can draw your own conclusions.
But this year, that siren meant so much more.
It's not the first siren we've heard since we made Aliyah. The first was on October 7, 2023, when our family huddled in our safe room, unsure of what the heck was going on. Rockets were raining down on much of the country, and yeah, we were a little unsettled by the "welcome" we received only 6 weeks after moving here.
Since that day, sirens have become fairly common in many parts of Israel. The novelty, sadly, has worn off. So when the Yom HaShoah siren wails throughout the land, it brings back some difficult memories of a time not too long ago (and still a regular occurrence for some).
Today's siren also reminds us that "Never Again" is NOW.
Jews around the world are under attack, with scenes on the news that look eerily familiar to anyone who's learned the history of the 1930s. Today's siren reminds us that we need to remain vigilant, that the world has learned nothing, and that a strong State of Israel 🇮🇱 is more important than ever.
As you go through your day today, take a moment to think about what our parents and grandparents went through during those unimaginable days... and rededicate our efforts to ensure it never happens again.
Because it's happening.
#yomhashoah #neveragain #neverforget #neveragainisnow
