It's always fun to sample the latest and greatest Israeli music, to keep up to date with the sound of Israel in real time. But these days, new Israeli music takes many forms. Some songs help us escape the realities of 2024 Israel, while others drag us right into the middle. And so, as we look into the best new music of the past few weeks, we'll hear the best of both worlds: the songs that are just plain fun, plus a selection of songs released to mark the first anniversary of October 7....

Remember life without smartphones? It's hard to believe that in 2007, the world was first being introduced to the original iPhone. Look at how much our lives have changed in the 17 years since then! You might debate whether our lives have gotten better or worse...but what's not debatable is how much you'll enjoy the greatest Israeli hits of 2007! Let's hop into the Israeli Music Time Machine, and set the dial to 2007, shall we? We'll find a musical treasure chest, full of incredible Israeli...

How are you dealing with the clock change? We 'fell back' in Israel on October 27, and most did so in the USA a week later. Seems that many of us have been hyper-focused on the time of day ever since, right? 'It's only 5pm...how does it already feel like midnight?' Well, with all this talk about time, it seemed like a good *time* to play songs about TIME on Israel Hour Radio! The time will certainly pass quickly as you spend quality time with this week's episode, having a good time listening...

Chag Sameach! Sukkot is known as “Zman Simchatenu” – the time of our joy. But after the year we’ve had – and with the yahrtzeit of those who lost their lives on October 7 coming up this week - joy is not so easy to come by nowadays. Still, we’re going to try to lift your spirits just a bit this holiday by playing Israeli songs that can INSTANTLY put a smile on your face. Some songs can magically transform your day, after just a few notes. Thanks to our wonderful Israeli Music Community on...

Whether or not you're a practicing Jew, we can all get behind the idea of praying for a good new year. That's why this year's Yom Kippur observance was probably the most meaningful, the most inspirational, the most powerful in most of our lifetimes. With concern for our troops in the north and south, Israel under constant missile fire, prayers for the 101 hostages held in Gaza, and increased antisemitism around the world, we certainly had a lot to pray for this year. So when Galgalatz radio...

Each year around this time, we look back at the most popular Israeli music of the past Jewish year. This, however, was no ordinary year. With war, hostages, loss, and fear dominating the headlines all year long, the music of 5784 had to rise to the occasion - providing comfort, strength, and inspiration. Well, sort of. While many of the year's most popular songs did just that, others offered a short respite...a diversion from the tragedies that unfolded around us. So as we look back at the...

Recorded on the day after Israel's elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, this podcast brings with it a wide range of emotions. We're elated over Israel's military success, but still feeling the pain of coming to Rosh Hashana with our hostages still not home. To make things worse, the anniversary of October 7th is only a few days away, and those painful memories are still very fresh in our minds. Yes, it's been a rough year for Israel, and for Jews around the world. But as we approach Rosh Hashana,...

After WAY too many weeks away, Israel Hour Radio is proud to return to the airwaves - broadcasting from Israel! While we were gone, Israel's best and brightest musical stars released some amazing new tunes. As always, we consider it our solemn duty to make sure you're caught up on the latest in Israeli music! Join us this week for a countdown of the most-played songs on Israeli radio, and walk away with a snapshot of what Israeli culture looks like RIGHT NOW. Yes, Israel is going through some...

Welcome to Israel Hour Radio's annual AUGUST CHAGIGOT! Each week during the month of August, we'll devote our show to a particular topic in Israeli music. And today? We celebrate the Israeli weekend (regardless of how you celebrate it) with our Chagigat Shirei Shabbat...an hour of Israeli songs about Shabbat! While some spend their Saturdays immersed in prayer and study, others spend it at the beach, in the park, or in the club. For many, it's a combination of all of the above...with a...

The Summer Olympics are taking place this week in Paris, France, with the spirit of brotherhood, unity, multiculturalism, and competitiveness on full display around the world. These are values shared by every Israeli, and we wish more than anything that our biggest conflicts with other nations were settled on the playing field rather than the battlefield. Israelis love to sing about their own country, but they also love to sing about other countries they admire around the world. So this week...

This week on Israel Hour Radio, it’s the return of MY ISRAELI PLAYLIST...where our listeners share their favorite Israeli songs of all time! This time, please welcome Debbie Corwin of Mahwah, NJ! Debbie first visited Israel was with her family on a two week vacation when she was 10 years old. She then spent 7 1/2 weeks in Israel with a ZOA program, 'Summer in Moshav', when she graduated high school. She's been back to Israel 11 times since then, most recently this past March. Since 2011,...

Summer 2024 is here...and amidst the backdrop of war, hostages, and global antisemitism, Israelis are still prepared to celebrate the season in the only way they know how: By celebrating LIFE with MUSIC. The sounds of summer 2024 in Israel are surprisingly similar to those of any other year - with upbeat tunes to accompany you to the beach, the pool, or anywhere you go to enjoy the season! This week, you'll hear from Netta Barzilai, Noa Kirel, Anna Zak, Sarit Hadad, Narkis, and many more....

OK, reality check. 2009 was FIFTEEN years ago. Yup, you heard that right. While it may seem like only yesterday to many of us, 2009 marked a significant year in history and music, leaving a lasting impact on our lives (and our Spotify playlists!). It was also the year Michael Jackson passed away, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was indicted for corruption, and Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. What were the most popular Israeli songs of 2009? Let’s...

In this special episode, we pay tribute to Naomi Shemer, one of Israel's most beloved songwriters and composers, on the 20th anniversary of her passing. Often hailed as the 'First Lady of Israeli Song,' Naomi Shemer's music has left an indelible mark on Israeli culture. Join us as we celebrate her life and legacy through her timeless songs that continue to resonate with listeners of all ages. We'll delve into her most iconic compositions, including 'Yerushalayim Shel Zahav' (Jerusalem of...

This week on the podcast, we turn up the volume and get ready to belt it out! We put the call out to our amazing listeners in the "Israeli Music Community" Facebook group, asking for your favorite Israeli songs to sing along to at the top of your lungs. We got some amazing responses! This week on Israel Hour Radio, get ready for a playlist packed with iconic tunes, new favorites, and hidden gems – all chosen by YOU! We'll be singing along to the songs that make you reminisce, dance, and...

'If you're going on a ten hour road trip, and can only listen to ONE Israeli artist...who's it gonna be?' Such was the question we recently asked on Israeli Music Community, our popular Israeli music discussion group on Facebook. And, wow! Did we get some great responses! With the tragic news of the day still heavy on our minds, permit us present a bit of a diversion this week. On the latest episode of Israel Hour Radio, we're counting down the artists with the most votes in our very...

Remember the music of the 'good old days'? You know, those blissful days before the world changed forever? We're referring, of course, to the Israeli music released BEFORE October 7. Back then, Israeli songs were generally fun and light, with songs about love and relationships. Although the past several months have been chock full of powerful, inspirational songs, many Israeli artists are slowly transitioning back to the days of old, with songs that are rather, well, meaningless. And...

Each year, there is so much emotional Israeli music that emerges in commemoration of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut. Between new original songs, musical tributes at state ceremonies, and performances at other events around the country, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. This year, however, was no ordinary year. Israel's Memorial Day was more somber than ever, and Independence Day took on a very different significance. So it only makes sense that we take a second week to explore the...

We recorded this episode moments before Yom HaZikaron began in Israel, not sure of what to expect in this very strange and difficult year. So much has happened since last year's national 'high holiday season' in Israel. So much pain, so much fear, so much destruction, so much anxiety. How can we bear the burden of Memorial Day this year? How can we CELEBRATE Independence Day in a year like this? Well, perhaps music can help. This year, Israel's musical community has worked hard to create...

What does it mean to be a hero? What does it mean to be a JEWISH hero? And what can we learn about heroes from the tragic events of October 7? This week, we are honored to welcome Israeli singer Gilad Segev, creator of "Project Heroes". Ever since October 7, Gilad has spent his time gathering heroic stories from that Black Shabbat...stories of heroes who sacrificed their own lives to save countless others. These stories inspired Gilad so much that he set many of them to music, and now he's...

Passover is here, and by all accounts, this year's celebration will be a lot different than most years'. Like every year, we'll gather around the seder table with family and friends. But this year, so many will be missing from the table. This year, we'll save empty seats for hostages and for active soldiers, all who SHOULD be joining our seder. We'll also see many empty seats, vacated by the souls we lost on October 7. As Israel remains under attack, our observance of Passover is marked by a...

This week, we acknowledge a grim milestone: six months since the October 7 massacre, kidnapping of hostages, and the resulting Operation Swords of Iron. As we watch events unfold, we remain sick with worry for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world. At the same time, we stand united in the belief that the State of Israel will emerge from this conflict stronger than before. In expressing a roller coaster of emotions, the music of this conflict has been nothing...

With Israel still very much at war, the country's 'new normal' continues to permeate its music. Yes, some of the new music is very raw, very painful, and very powerful. Other songs are as seemingly as mundane as can be, as Israeli music continues to shift onto topics other than the war. Still, nearly every song you hear these days can be interpreted differently due to today's complicated reality. Take, for example, Israel's 2024 Eurovision entry, 'Hurricane.' Even though the song sounds...

So often - especially throughout the current situation in Israel - Israeli music speaks directly to our hearts and evokes a wide range of emotions. This week we'll do the same...but in an overwhelmingly positive tone! Ready to smile? Hatikva 6, Moshe Peretz, Shlomi Shabbat, Lior Narkis, Mosh Ben Ari, Eden Ben Zaken, and many more will take you on a musical journey that's sure to lift your spirits just a bit during this difficult time. As one of our listeners said, 'I don't want this week's...