Israel Hour Radio - Israeli Music Podcast

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 o...

Israel is breathing just a little easier nowadays, and our thriving music industry doesn't miss a beat. The songs on the radio don't ignore the harsh realities of the past two years, but they certainly aren't harping on them either. So, you may ask, what are Israelis listening to, now that war is (sort of) taking a back seat? We got you. This week on Israel Hour Radio, Josh shares the most-played...

THEY'RE HOME. Words we've been waiting to write for more than two years. While of course we know we won't be complete until all of the bodies held by Hamas are back home in Israel, we are breathing easier this week than we've been in a LONG time. Now that our living hostages are reunited with their families, we're beginning to learn the unimaginable details of their captivity. But we're also learn...

By the time you hear this podcast, you already know that on October 13, 2025, all living hostages held by Hamas were returned to their families in Israel. But when we recorded this podcast the evening before, we still weren't sure if the deal would hold. Sure, we were optimistic...but couldn't exhale until everyone was safely back home. Under that backdrop, we shared songs of homecoming, hope, opt...

This week, we observe a excruciating anniversary - two years since the October 7 massacre. Two years of war. Two years of hostages. Two years of heartbreak. BUT - a ray of light is possibly on the horizon, as peace talks were set to begin in Egypt to end the war and free the hostages. While we watch, wait, and hope, we reflect on the emotions of the past two years. From devastation to jubilation.....

Shana Tova from Israel Hour Radio! For our first broadcast of 5786, we continue a long-standing tradition of counting down the most popular songs of the previous year. And in a year full of war, hostages, and stress...most of the songs are surprisingly NOT related to any of those things. Instead, they are ordinary, run of the mill, 'vanilla' songs that, perhaps, were meant to take our minds off of...

In this final episode of Israel Hour Radio for 5785, we tap into Israel's spiritual side which is so prevalent this time of year. So prevalent, in fact, that ALL of the spiritual songs we're playing are BRAND NEW for the 2025 High Holiday season! We'll look into the deep, moving emotions of this time of year, with wishes for a happy, healthy, peaceful, sweet New Year 5786. Shana Tova to all! (Orig...

James Taylor sang,'Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you've gotr to do is call, and I'll be there, 'cause you've got a friend.' Well, in Israel, there happen to be a lot of people singing about friendship as well...'cause what are we without our friends? This week on Israel Hour Radio, we'll explore friendship in Israeli music - from childhood playmates to brothers in the IDF. Tell us: What Isr...

Two years of war. 50 hostages. Disturbing images. Rampant antisemitism. Low public opinion. We're living in very difficult times for the Jewish State, and sometimes, there's little more we can do than pray. Recorded on Tisha B'av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, this week's show kicks off our annual August Chagigot with a show that just feels right for such a painful day: a show devoted to...

Kama cham ba'chutz! Man, it's hot outside! Yup, for most of our listeners, 'tis the season for hot temps, cold drinks, lots of sunblock, and doing literally anything you can to beat the heat. Anyone who's been to Israel this time of year knows well of the brutal, unrelenting heat throughout the country. So it makes sense that there are a lot of songs about summer, heat, and trips to the beach! Can...

The dog days of summer are here, and you know what that means...it's time for the GREAT Israeli songs you'll hear all summer at the beach, the pool, the boardwalk, or just sitting in traffic to your next vacation destination during the 'chofesh hagadol' (the big vacation, aka summer break for schoolkids). Looking for some cool new summer songs to help you beat the heat? We've got 'em - and for the...

It's always challenging to prepare the show when it falls out on a Jewish fast day, traditionally sad days on the Jewish calendar. So what do you do when you discover that you're broadcasting on the fast of the 17th of Tammuz? The Israeli Music Community came to the rescue, suggesting a show with songs about crying and tears. Sounds pretty depressing, right? Well, it's not what you think. Sure, so...

With the recent war in Iran - and the POSSIBILITY of a 'new day' in Iran - still on our minds, we thought it might be fun to take a look back at the year in which the Iranian Revolution took place and Israel-Iran relationship changed forever. That means we're setting the dial on the Israeli Music Time Machine back to 1979, and looking back at the most popular Israeli music of the year. 1979 also h...

The war with Iran is over (for now), and there's lots of hopeful talk in the news these days: an end to the war in Gaza, expansion of the Abraham Accords, and who knows what else? Despite never knowing a day of peace, Israelis have always been hopeful that it was just around the corner. Of course, Israeli music reflects that hope in so many tunes, past and present. This week on Israel Hour Radio,...

Amidst the backdrop of war with Iran...amidst the euphoria of America's (hopefully) successful strike on Iran's nuclear program...amidst a week of sirens, safe rooms, and stress...the Israeli music scene continues to thrive. While Israelis found themselves running to shelters at all hours of the day and night, Israeli radio stations did their best to maintain a sense of normalcy, keeping us entert...

Israel is at war. Israelis are running to shelters multiple times throughout the day and night. Despite a growing string of simply miraculous events, many lives have been lost and many homes and structures have been destroyed. And yes, we are all a little on edge. But no matter what our enemies destroy, they can't destroy our spirit - the greatest weapon Israelis possess! Join us for Josh's firsth...

Recorded mere hours after Yuval Raphael brought immense pride to her country, this week's podcast finds us all in great spirits. So while still basking in glow of Israel's SECOND PLACE finish in this year's Eurovision, we figured today is a good day to hop into the Israeli Music Time Machine, whisking us back to the last time Israel won the contest. It also happened to be a fantastic year for Isra...

Eurovision week is finally here! As Yuval Refael prepares to represent Israel in Switzerland with bravery, grace, and honor, we take the opportunity to dive into one of our favorite topics: the Pre-Eurovision (aka 'Kdam')! Back before reality singing contests were a thing, Israel would select its song for the Eurovision with a special 'Pre-Eurovision' contest - in which Israel's best and brightest...

Happy 77th birthday, Israel! After the frightening wildfires plaguing Central Israel on Yom HaZikaron 2025, this year's Independence Day certainly started off unlike any other. But that didn't stop us from celebrating Israel's 77th in grand fashion! Join Josh Shron as he recaps this year's best musical moments...from new songs, viral videos, and amazing performances at this year's 'unusual' Torch...

The pain of Yom Hazikaron - Israel's Memorial Day - has always been very real and very raw, affecting nearly every home in Israel in some way. But this year, it just feels different. The sad songs take on new meaning. The painful stories are just too numerous. And just this week, we buried more soldiers as part of our 77+ year struggle for existence. Although EVERY day can feel like Yom Hazikaron...

Passover is upon us once again. And once again, this year's observance includes equal parts celebration and desperation. As we celebrate the Jewish holiday of freedom, we can't help but think of the 59 hostages who are not at all free. We think of the men and women of the IDF who will not be at their families' seder tables this year. We remember those who have lost their lives since last Pesach, a...

It seems like everywhere you go in Israel these days, you constantly hear the word 'Amen'. 'May we hear good news!' 'Amen!' 'Wishing your son success and safety in the IDF!' 'Amen!' This is not, of course, a new phenomenon. 'Amen' is a word that often comes up in Israeli music as well. Off the top of your head, many of you can likely come up with a few right off the bat. Well, if you can think it,...

As war, protests, political disputes, and daily rocket fire continue in our homeland, Israel's entertainment scene continues to thrive. Maybe that's one reason why we continue to be ranked among the happiest countries in the world! Today, we're proud to keep you up to date with the latest and greatest in Israeli music, with the songs blaring on radios and Spotify playlists throughout the country....

Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to present Israel's official entry to Eurovision 2025, "New Day Will Rise" by Yuval Rafael. And while we're at it, it's been a while since we've done an hour of Israeli Eurovision songs, so let's do that today, shall we? But this time, we're going to skip the beloved Israeli classics from the 70s and 80s, focusing instead on our entries over the past 25 years, si...

We all know - all too well - that the past 17 months have been painful and emotional to say the least. But with Purim on the way, it's a good time to allow ourselves to smile and laugh. Purim reminds us that sometimes, when life looks as dark as can be, the most incredible miracles suddenly come to life. That things are not always what they seem. That life can change dramatically at the drop of a...