By Jason Hecht
As we enter the season of reflection, renewal and heartfelt connection, music becomes one of the most powerful ways to prepare our spirit. This year, we’re taking you on a High Holiday tour through Israeli music videos – a journey filled with soul, prayer and the unmistakable warmth of Israeli artistry.
These selections highlight the emotional arc of the High Holidays: from the quiet introspection of Selichot, to the joyful hope of Rosh Hashanah, through the Days of Awe and into the deep spiritual return of Yom Kippur. Each video brings its own color, its own heartbeat and its own way of helping us enter the season with intention.
Before we dive in, yes, this article is a little longer than usual. Think of it as the High Holiday version of a brisket: it takes time, it’s full of flavor and by the end, you’ll be glad you stuck with it. Consider it my annual reminder that even when I try to write something short… the spirit of the season insists on adding just one more meaningful paragraph.
Selichot invites us to soften, reflect and begin the journey inward. It is the moment where we call out, search and prepare ourselves for the days ahead.
This stirring collaboration brings a heartfelt blend of Israeli soul, Mediterranean warmth and spiritual longing. Shlomi Shabat has shared that he created the melody by stepping away from the religious atmosphere of his grandparents’ home and the synagogue visits of his childhood, allowing those early spiritual impressions to echo inside him from a distance. That space gave birth to a melody filled with yearning, memory and emotional honesty.
His connection to the song is especially strong, and in the holiday season of 2021, he felt it was the perfect moment to finally record it himself. Bringing Stalos and Oren Chen into the project added a warm Greek-Israeli texture, creating a joint single filled with sincerity and depth. It is the perfect doorway into the High Holidays, a musical call upward that opens the heart.
👉 “כשאליך אקרא” (Keshe’elecha Ekra / When I Call Out to You) – Shlomi Shabat, Stalos & Oren Chen (2021)
Rosh Hashanah arrives with sweetness, hope and the promise of fresh beginnings. It is a moment to lift our spirits, welcome renewal and step into the new year with clarity and optimism.
This moving instrumental rendition of “Berosh Hashana,” one of Naomi Shemer’s most beloved New Year songs, captures the quiet optimism and reflective joy of the holiday. Trumpet soloist Arik Davidov brings a warm, lyrical interpretation that highlights the emotional depth of Shemer’s melody. His expressive tone blends classical technique with Mediterranean soul, giving the familiar tune a fresh and heartfelt character. It is a beautiful way to welcome the new year – gentle, uplifting, and filled with hope.
👉 “בראש השנה” (Berosh Hashana / At the Start of the Year) – Trumpet Performance by Arik Davidov
This joyful, high-energy Rosh Hashanah parody has become a modern classic in Jewish communities worldwide. Created by The Fountainheads, a creative performance group from the Ein Prat Academy in Israel, “Dip Your Apple” blends humor, choreography and uplifting messages with a catchy pop sound inspired by Shakira’s “Waka Waka.” The video celebrates the themes of Rosh Hashanah: renewal, sweetness, forgiveness and starting fresh, all wrapped in vibrant music and dance. With more than seven million views, it remains one of the most beloved contemporary holiday videos, bringing smiles and festive spirit to audiences of all ages.
👉 “Dip Your Apple” – The Fountainheads (Ein Prat Academy)
This duet by Stalos and Oren Chen offers a heartfelt Mediterranean-Israeli interpretation of Avinu Malkeinu, one of the most iconic High Holiday prayers. Their signature blend of Greek-Israeli musical style gives the traditional melody a warm, emotional lift that feels both familiar and fresh. Stalos and Oren Chen have been performing together for decades, known for their rich harmonies and soulful arrangements that bridge Greek and Israeli musical traditions. This rendition brings a gentle sense of hope and renewal, a beautiful fit for Rosh Hashanah’s spirit of beginning again.
👉“סטלוס ואורן חן – אבינו מלכנו” (Stalos and Oren Chen – Avinu Malkeinu)
For a more traditional and spiritually resonant interpretation, this beautiful duet by Akiva and world-renowned Israeli musician Idan Raichel offers a gentle, heartfelt version of Avinu Malkeinu. Akiva’s warm, emotional vocal style, known for its sincerity and depth, blends seamlessly with Raichel’s signature minimalist and soulful arrangements. Together they create a reflective and reverent atmosphere that honors the prayer’s deep meaning. This rendition feels intimate, sincere and perfectly aligned with the themes of Rosh Hashanah: humility, renewal and hope.
👉 More Traditional Version — Akiva and Idan Raichel – “Avinu Malkeinu”
Yom Kippur invites us into a space of reflection, honesty and heartfelt return. Music on this day often carries themes of forgiveness, vulnerability and emotional clarity.
This powerful duet brings together two of Israel’s most beloved voices. Shlomi Shabat, known for his soulful Mediterranean sound and emotional depth, partners with Rotem Cohen, whose warm and romantic vocal style has made him a standout in contemporary Israeli pop. Their collaboration creates a heartfelt dialogue about regret, forgiveness and the hope for reconciliation. The blend of their voices gives the song an intimate and sincere feeling that fits perfectly with the reflective spirit of Yom Kippur.
👉“גם אם טעיתי” (Gam Im Ta’iti / Even If I Was Wrong) – Shlomi Shabat and Rotem Cohen
Kol Nidrei / Kol Nedarai is one of the most iconic and emotionally powerful moments of Yom Kippur, traditionally chanted at the very start of the holiday as the community enters a state of reflection and spiritual openness. In this moving rendition, Haim Moshe brings his unmistakable Mizrahi warmth and heartfelt delivery to the ancient text. Known for his deep, resonant voice and ability to infuse traditional melodies with contemporary Israeli soul, he adds a layer of sincerity and longing that beautifully captures the solemn atmosphere of Yom Kippur night.
This version has also inspired a well‑known Israeli dance, choreographed by Shmulik Gov Ari.
👉 Haim Moshe – Kol Nidrei / Kol Nedarai
👉 Dance to Kol Nidrei / Kol Nidarai (Shmulik Gov-Ari) – Taught by Chen Shporen
Although the names sound similar, Kol Nidrei and Kol Nedarai are two very different works. Kol Nidrei is the ancient Aramaic legal declaration that opens Yom Kippur, a solemn and traditional chant focused on the annulment of vows. Kol Nedarai, on the other hand, is a modern Israeli song made famous by Haim Moshe. It draws emotional inspiration from the themes of Yom Kippur but is not part of the formal liturgy. Its Mizrahi musical style and popular Israeli dance give it a contemporary, heartfelt character distinct from the traditional prayer.
Lecha Eli is one of the most moving piyyutim of the High Holiday season, traditionally attributed to Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra. It is a deeply personal prayer of vulnerability and longing, a direct plea from the soul to God, asking for compassion, closeness and forgiveness. The poetry speaks openly of human fragility and the desire to return to divine embrace, making it especially resonant on Yom Kippur.
In this video, Sagiv Cohen performs the piyyut while the background performers are wrapped in tallitot, adding a powerful visual dimension to the prayer. Their tallitot are used in a traditional, symbolic way draped over the shoulders and gently gathered around them creating a sense of spiritual shelter and reverence. The tallit becomes a visual expression of the piyyut’s themes: seeking protection, drawing close to holiness and standing humbly before God.
This piyyut has also inspired a beautiful Israeli dance choreographed by Shlomo Maman. The dance video features many of Israel’s best choreographers and markidim (Israeli dance leaders), joining together to demonstrate and teach the choreography in a rare gathering of top talent that reflects the piyyut’s emotional depth through flowing, expressive movement.
👉 Sagiv Cohen – Lecha Eli
This acoustic rendition by Israela offers a gentle, heartfelt interpretation of Lecha Eli. Stripped down to voice and simple instrumentation, it highlights the piyyut’s emotional core intimacy, longing and spiritual honesty. Israela’s warm vocal tone and the quiet acoustic arrangement create a reflective atmosphere that feels deeply personal, making this version a beautiful complement to the more traditional and choreographed interpretations.
👉 Israela – Lecha Eli (Acoustic Version)
As we close this musical journey through the High Holidays, we arrive at one of Israel’s most beloved songs of hope and renewal: “בשנה הבאה” (Bashana Haba’a). It is the perfect final note: a gentle wish for a sweeter, calmer, more joyful year ahead.
In this warm and intimate performance, Yonina brings their signature harmonies to one of Israel’s most iconic songs of hope. Their acoustic style creates a feeling of closeness and sincerity, the kind of music that feels like friends gathered together at the end of a long, emotional season. The simplicity of the arrangement allows the message to shine: May the coming year be brighter, kinder and filled with peace.
👉 Yonina – Bashana Haba’a
Right alongside Yonina’s gentle acoustic version, we include this beautiful performance by Shiri Maimon, one of Israel’s most beloved singers and recently one of the standout stars on רוקדים עם כוכבים (Dancing With the Stars – Israel).
Her rendition is elegant, heartfelt and full of optimism. Shiri’s clear, emotional voice brings a fresh glow to this classic song, lifting the listener gently into the promise of the new year. Together, these two versions – Yonina’s intimate harmonies and Shiri’s powerful clarity – create a perfect musical send‑off into the year ahead.
👉 Shiri Maimon – Bashana Haba’a
Finally, the High Holidays have inspired countless memorable musical creations, and two groups who capture that spirit beautifully are The Maccabeats and Six13. With their signature harmonies, clever lyrics, and joyful energy, these groups have turned Jewish music videos into a true art form blending tradition with modern style in a way that speaks to every generation. I’ve highlighted and discussed many of their holiday videos during our FJMC Music Affinity Meetings, where their work always brings smiles and sparks great conversation. Their High Holiday releases are packed with heart, humor and meaning, making them perfect companions as we enter the season of reflection and renewal. Check them out on YouTube around the beginning of the holidays.
https://www.youtube.com/@TheMaccabeats
https://www.youtube.com/@Six13Sings
The FJMC wishes each and every one of you a sweet new year — 5787. Shanah Tovah U’metukah (שנה טובה ומתוקה) / L’shanah Tovah (לשנה טובה).
Jason Hecht is a HaD’var contributor who is FJMC International’s webmaster and part of the IT team, and also leads the FJMC Israeli and Jewish Music Affinity Group.
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