“My Car, Your Beauty”

A Joyful Israeli Soundtrack for an August Reset

By Jason Hecht

August arrives with its own kind of glow. The days are long, the heat is steady and everything feels dipped in sunshine. It’s the month of road trips, cold drinks and that moment when you finally look at your car and think, “Okay… it’s time.” Dust, monsoon residue and desert pollen – all of it says: “Give me a wash already.”

So it feels perfectly timed that Israeli pop star Dudu Aharon bursts into our speakers with his upbeat hit “האוטו שלי, היופי שלך”(Ha’auto Sheli Hayofi Shelach) – (“My Car, Your Beauty”). The song is pure summer energy – playful, catchy and full of that unmistakable Israeli vibe that makes you want to roll down the windows and let the music spill out into the warm air. It’s a reminder that joy, rhythm and a little bit of swagger are part of Jewish life too.

And now that we’re in August, we can fully enjoy that summer sparkle because the one time of year when we don’t focus on beautification has already passed. Earlier this summer, during the Nine Days leading up to Tisha B’Av, many Jews paused activities connected to pleasure or beautification. That included things like wearing new clothes, swimming for fun, eating meat (except on Shabbat) and, yes, washing the car just to make it look nice. It’s a brief, meaningful moment of reflection in the Jewish calendar, and this year it fell entirely in July.

But now? The Nine Days are behind us.

August is wide open, bright, and ready for renewal, spiritually and practically. The car wash is officially back on the menu.

And honestly, there’s something beautifully symbolic about that. As we move from the heaviness of Av into the spiritual warm‑up of Elul, August becomes a month of reset. A time to clear away dust, literally and spiritually. A time to prepare ourselves for the High Holidays with small acts that refresh our mindset. Washing the car becomes more than a chore; it becomes a metaphor. The grime rinses away, the windows clear, and suddenly everything feels a little lighter, a little more open, a little more ready for what’s ahead.

Dudu Aharon’s song fits right into that mood. It’s a reminder that Judaism embraces both reflection and joy – the solemnity of the Nine Days, and the brightness that follows. The music video’s energy, the rhythm, the fun – it all captures the spirit of an Israeli summer, where life is lived loudly, colorfully and with heart.

And if you want to add a little extra joy to the moment, try playing the song while you’re actually going through the car wash. The beat bouncing off the soap‑covered windows, the colors of the suds and the rhythm of the brushes turn an ordinary errand into a burst of pure summer fun. Elaine and I have done this a few times.

As part of the FJMC Health & Wellness initiative, you can take that joy one step further and learn the Israeli dance that goes with this song! The dance was choreographed by Yaron Ben Simchon, a well-known creator in the Israeli dance community and a friend of mine. It’s a light, fun dance that matches the upbeat feel of the music, and if you look closely, you’ll notice that a few of the moves even resemble the motions of driving a car, which makes it especially perfect for this song. Here’s the dance video if you want to give it a try. A few minutes of dancing adds joy, movement and a wonderful connection to Israeli culture.

So this August, as you pull into the car wash, or grab a bucket and sponge at home, let the beat of “האוטו שלי, היופי שלך”(Ha’auto Sheli Hayofi Shelach) accompany you. Let it be your soundtrack for a month that blends sunshine, community and a gentle spiritual reset. May your car shine🚗✨, may your spirit lift, and may this August bring you warmth, joy and a little bit of Israeli pop sparkle.

A Brief Tribute: Ishai Levi & Esther (Astar) Shamir

This month, Israel lost two towering voices who shaped the emotional landscape of its music.

Ishai Levi, one of the most powerful and heartfelt singers in Mizrahi music, passed away on June 7, 2026. His songs from “Silchi Li Yalda” to “Tzel Etz Tamar,” “Rikud Romanti,” and “Ha’Achat Sheli” carried a raw honesty that generations connected to instantly. Across Israel, radio stations played his music nonstop, dance groups dedicated songs in his honor and fans around the world shared clips, memories and candle‑lit tributes celebrating the voice that never stopped reaching people.

Just days later, on June 11, Esther (Astar) Shamir, one of Israeli rock’s most influential lyricists, passed away at 71. Her writing from “Avarti Rak Kedei Lirot” to the beloved “Gachliliot” blended poetry, vulnerability and emotional truth. Israelis memorialized her with readings of her lyrics, acoustic covers, and dance circles performing the gentle Gachliliot choreography. Around the world, fans posted stories of how her words helped them through difficult moments, proving her reach extended far beyond Israel’s borders.

Together, their passings created a wave of remembrance among musicians, dancers and listeners from Israel to North America to Europe, honoring two artists whose work shaped the country’s cultural heartbeat. Their voices and words continue to live on in the songs people sing, the dances communities perform and the memories shared across the world.

For some songs and videos, visit https://jasonhecht.com/in-memorium – I did a nice blog tribute to these two singers.

Jason Hecht is a HaD’var contributor.