Israel Hour Radio - Israeli Music Podcast

'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 episo...

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 t...

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 o...

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? W...

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 countles...

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...

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 b...

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....

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...

Over the last several months, Israel Hour Radio has kept you up to date with the latest Israeli music, born of pain and pride during this time of war. It's reminiscent of another time of war - the Yom Kippur War of 1973. It began 50 years (nearly to the day) before the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, and like our current conflict, Israel was taken by surprise on one of its most sacred days of...

Clay Aiken once said: "A song can be more than words and music ... when sung with soul a song carries you to another world, to a place where no matter how much pain you feel, you are never alone." Well, in today's very painful world, so many in Israel and around the world have turned to singing to help ease the pain and bring people together. Ever since October 7th, the internet has been flooded w...

What does Israeli music sound like today? A mix of everything. Some of it is sad, some of it hopeful, some of it patriotic. And some...is just back to normal. This week on Israel Hour Radio, you'll hear it all - from love songs to the country, to plain old love songs that could be recorded anytime. From painful songs about our hostages, to painful songs in memory of fallen Israeli soldiers. From c...

Ask Josh Shron about his 'happy place,' and he'll tell you: number one is on the beach in Tel Aviv, and number two is behind the control board at WRSU Studios in New Jersey. This week he comes to you from Happy Place 2 for the first time in six months, and you can just hear the excitement in his voice! Despite his joy, he also brings along a playlist of emotional songs about the 'matzav' (situatio...

We've focused on the victims, we've focused on the survivors...but how about a show dedicated to the soldiers? The men and women of the IDF are putting their lives on the line each and every day, fighting on the front lines or behind the scenes. They are all true HEROES, defending our right to exist! This week, Israel Hour Radio salutes our chayalim during this time of war, with positive, upliftin...

Music is amazing. It can raise you up or knock you down with just a few well-placed notes or lyrics. And somehow, the music in Israel since October 7 has been able to take us on all kinds of highs and lows. Each week, we at Israel Hour Radio have taken you on a musical roller-coaster ride, throwing your emotions into overdrive. But this week, just by coincidence, it seems we have more uplifting so...

It's been more than 100 days. 100 agonizing days of darkness. Of heartbreak. Of pain. 100 days of despair. The world recently marked 100 days since the horrific events of October 7, with special emphasis on the hostages that remain in Hamas captivity. This is a milestone we never imagined we'd reach. As painful as it is to think about the plight of these beautiful men, women, and children, it's so...

It's our first show of 2024 - but despite the new year, the 'matzav' (situation) drags on. We're still at war, we're still awaiting the return of our hostages, we're still grieving what we lost on October 7 and its aftermath. Thankfully, new Israeli music helps unite us, reminding us constantly of what we're fighting for. This week, more new music to depress, inspire, frustrate, uplift, move, and...

Yes, it's become the year many of us would like to forget. But as 2023 comes to a close, we take an hour to reminisce about the songs released in the blissful days before the world turned upside down. Radio stations in Israel radically changed their playlists after the tragic events of October 7, but for nine months prior, they played innocent, fun, upbeat songs, blaring on radios throughout the c...

It's been more than 80 days since the horrors of October 7th, and the healing process still has a very long way to go. There are more than 100 hostages hidden somewhere (presumably) beneath Gaza, we learn daily of more fallen Israeli soldiers, and yes, we still are a very pained nation. Can music help us heal? You tell us. This week, many of the songs are as depressing as can be...but maybe that's...

War, sadness, death, hostages, casualties...as Operation Swords of Iron continues, the news isn't getting any easier to digest. But as usual, music helps us cope - and Israeli music seems to be a bit more upbeat, optimistic, and positive over the past few weeks. The roller coaster ride of emotions continues this week on Israel Hour Radio, but this time, the brand new music you'll hear is generally...

Chanukah 5784 is here - perhaps the most meaningful Chanukah in our lifetimes. With Israel at war and antisemitism rising around the world, the Chanukah story is as relevant as ever. Can we truly celebrate during these dark times? We think there's no better time to spread the light of Chanukah to banish the darkness. So this week, a little musical 'comfort food' as we celebrate Chanukah the way it...

Ever since Operation Swords of Iron began, the situation has pulled our hearts and emotions in a gazillion different directions. On one hand, we're mourning the massive loss of life on October 7, and are worried sick about our hostages. On the other hand, we are bursting with pride for the brave IDF soldiers fighting for our freedom. Many Israelis are finding their spiritual voices, some for the v...

For most of us who care about Israel, the past few weeks have been a roller coaster, to say the least. One minute we're deeply depressed, the next we're uplifted by the bravery and courage of the IDF. Along the way, we've probably felt every emotion in between. That's been the vibe in Israel ever since October 7, and that's been the theme of the music we've played over the past few weeks. This wee...

When the world is against us...when no one seems to understand who the 'good guys' and 'bad guys' are...when you're feeling a sense of despair, loss, and helplessness...that's when our community can do the most good. Here you're among people who GET you. You're with people who share your values. A warm community whose members are going through the same whirlwind of emotions as you are. Tune in to...

30 days since the 'Black Shabbat' of October 7, 2023, and it's not getting any easier. The images continue to haunt us, the hostage crisis continues to infuriate us, and the soldiers continue to inspire us. But as usual, music is there to unite us. Yes, the songs can be painful, heart-wrenching, and emotional, but they connect us to Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael in a very powerful and meaningful wa...