Israel Hour Radio

11/12/2025

Here we go! ✈️
Looking forward to seeing many of you in the US and Canada!
Thanks EL AL אל על for taking good care of us. See you on the other side!

11/12/2025

NEW PODCAST EPISODE (link in comments):

What Israeli songs did the hostages ask to hear after their release from two years of captivity? What songs ran through their minds day after day, during their long and painful ordeal? Now that our living hostages are finally home, we've learned a bit more about their experiences: the torture and starvation, yes, but also the songs that gave them strength for more than two years. We shared a few of these songs on a previous show, but thanks to the folks at Kan Gimmel radio, we now have even more information, more firsthand stories, and more significant music. You may never be able to hear these songs in quite the same way again. (Original Air Date: November 9, 2025)

(Image credit: The Times of Israel)

11/12/2025

What a month for Israeli music in North America! יונינה Yonina, David Broza, הפרויקט של רביבו, and Aviv Geffen are all on their way this November. Visit https://www.israeliconcerts.com/ for details!

Discover upcoming Israeli concerts across the United States and Canada, all in one place. Whether you’re searching for Israeli pop stars, legendary folk icons, or the hottest new voices from Tel Aviv, our concert calendar keeps you updated with tour dates, venues, and ticket links. From New York t...

11/11/2025

Mazal Tov to Noa Kirel who married Israeli soccer star Daniel Peretz this evening!

Chief Rabbi David Lau performed the ceremony tonight in Jaffa, attended by 150 of the couple's closest friends and family members.

Tomorrow night, the celebration continues - with a significantly larger, star-studded reception in honor of the new couple.

On Sunday night, Noa began the festivities by immersing herself in the ritual mikvah, participating in a challah-separating ceremony, and then attending a large henna event together with Daniel.

Mazal Tov!

11/05/2025

Now might be a really great time to ask me any questions you may have about Aliyah...just sayin'...

11/04/2025

What are your memories of the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin - on this 30th anniversary of his murder?

On Saturday night, November 4, 1995, I was a senior at Rutgers University. Some friends and I were all set to take the train into New York City to see David Broza perform at The Town Hall.

As Shabbat ended that evening, we learned of the shocking murder of Yitzchak Rabin.

In those pre-smartphone days, I honestly don’t remember how we discovered the news. But it soon became clear that the concert was not going to happen - and we stayed home, glued to the TV for the next several hours.

I was 21 years old, and had only visited Israel twice. Though I was on the radio every week sharing Israeli music, I really wasn’t keyed into Israeli politics at the time. Of course I knew that the assassination of an Israeli prime minister was a monumental event – but I didn’t know enough about Yitzchak Rabin to understand the significance of his death.

For the next few years, whenever I’d interview a notable Israeli celebrity, I’d ask them about their reaction to Rabin’s murder. From David Broza to Ofra Haza, they’d all express their shock, while heaping on words of praise and admiration.

I’d nod in agreement, while still not knowing enough to truly comprehend.

But in the years that followed, I began to learn much more.

His incredible military legacy – from the earliest days of the State of Israel.
His prominence in Israeli politics – spanning decades.
His bravery in choosing peace, ultimately giving his life for it.

I also learned of the circumstances in Israeli society leading up to his assassination. And today, exactly 30 years later, I feel like our beloved country hasn’t learned a thing.

Take some time today - on the 30th anniversary of his murder - to learn more about this important figure in Israeli history. There’s a great video in the comments that summarizes his life quite nicely. Whether or not you agreed with his politics or policies, no one can deny his monumental contributions to the State of Israel.

May his memory be a blessing.

11/03/2025

Love this! Miri Mesika's hit "November" came out 20 years ago today. To celebrate, she released this fun version of the song!

11/02/2025

Sorry, friends, no show today due to a previous engagement. But to satisfy your weekly Israeli music fix, please enjoy the podcast of last week's show, featuring the latest and greatest in Israeli music. See you next Sunday!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1248-new-israeli-music-october-2025/id121592912?i=1000734196031

11/02/2025

Why, yes, we ARE enjoying a kosher bacon cheeseburger at Burger King. How did you know?

10/31/2025

What's your opinion on AI-generated music?

Yesterday in our Israeli Music Community, someone posted a link to a new album of Israeli songs translated into English...with music and vocals generated entirely by AI.

Shortly afterwards, someone responded:
"I may be alone in this sentiment, but I joined this group out of deep appreciation for music made by human minds, voices, and hands."

This is such an interesting debate...one I'm sure won't be settled anytime soon.

On one hand, these songs are DEFINITELY missing emotional depth that, I think, can only be expressed adequately by humans.

At the same time, the very idea of creativity is changing, for better or for worse. Someone worked hard to translate the songs, get the music and voices just right, and mix it together to create something new and different.

What do you think? Is there a place for AI-generated music in the marketplace, or should we be scrolling on by out of respect for those who still take the time to do it right?

10/30/2025

Yes, we know you've probably seen this already today.
Yes, you should definitely watch it again. With tissues.

Last night, freed hostage and master pianist Alon Ohel joined the cast of "Eretz Nehederet" (Israel's answer to "SNL") to sing David Broza's "Mitachat LaShamayim."

It's a simple love song...but last night, it became a celebration of strength and survival. As the song says - "anu od kan" - we're still here.

Welcome home, Alon!!!

Thanks to the Zionist Federation of Australia for the translation!

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