Berry Sakharof - The Other

A post I came across from the InDnegev festival: 25 years ago, Berry Sakharof's The Other was released, a special and different album, demanding and sometimes gloomy, released into a difficult and chaotic national atmosphere - terrorist attacks, exploding buses, and the Second Intifada.
Out of this chaos and difficulty, a glimmer of hope emerged from Sakharof's work through a gaze "towards the Other", inspired by the writings of the Jewish-French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas and the ethics he developed, based on a direct encounter with "the face of the Other". At times, this moral imperative is stated explicitly, at other moments in the album, it and its implications are implied and illustrated as an alternative to how 'Israeliness' deals with the complex reality.

The Other is a timeless work rooted in a very, very specific time, and it seems that even today the materials created a quarter of a century ago still resonate and are incredibly relevant to this current, confusing, and harsh period.

The decision we made to keep InDnegev in Mitzpe Gvulot and in the Gaza Envelope, taking part in the area's renewed flourishing, was quick and very clear, back in the dark days of October 2023.

And yet, throughout this whole period, we've grappled with the value of this decision and what it means: what is the message and meaning of our existential need to be here in this space, what we're able to do, and what our role is in this moment and in this time.

The Other holds within it many of the answers to the questions that occupied us during this period (and a few new ones...)

Engaging in creative work in a period of chaos, confusion, and pain, speaking and writing honestly and directly about reality as we experience and understand it, and constantly trying to direct an open and loving gaze at and about the other, not out of fear and terror, but out of the desire to discover the humanity in him and in us.

InDnegev strives to be an open and enabling space, capable of containing complexities and imagining the reality in which we would like to live. This year we have chosen to mark and to highlight this work as a central theme that will guide the festival, both internally and externally, and many of the artworks at the festival will focus on the Other.

We invite you to dive into this incredible work again, which even from the distance of time still sounds amazing, and to join us in the rebuilding of InDnegev, this year in its full format again.

I was only familiar with Monsoon, the only single from The Other, so I heard the album for the first time, and wow, it really blew me away. It was just what I needed to hear. Here is the complete album, with the help of translations from LyricsTranslate:

Movie

Day, day and night

You're in a different movie

Monsoon 

We'll burn time, we'll burn, burn / Everything that's between us

Let the moment pass / The past is still ahead of us

Just as I came, I left / It's all dreams

And maybe I wasn't there to love 

I must have forgotten / Maybe I went far

I can't love you from up close

The thirst for love / And a hunger that lasts

And there is a lily and there is a thorn in it / And a small scratch in the heart

Just as you came to me you left me / It's all dreams

And maybe you weren't there to love

I must have been forgotten / You went far

It must be like that in dreams

Trembling

The house is trembling over me

Wind from the sea, fire on the mountain

Crooked and disjointed

Here it begins, here it ends

Everyone is on their feet

Half a pill, half erased

Time is split in two

The clock ticks backwards

And I see double

A black and white light of illusions

The house is trembling over me, swaying side to side

And it seems that in the meantime

The Messiah is waiting for an invitation

On the cellphone, in the bizarre

In a dream and in hope

The house is trembling over me

A crack is bleeding from the ceiling

The fear in the eyes

And the heart, the heart is in a suitcase

Smoke on the water

The sun is gray, the light is blocked

The noise in the ears

The sweat that sticks to the body

And I see double...

Dust on the Shoes

It's so nice to just walk / As if we were never here

In light steps on the sidewalk / Let the streets clean you

There is a bustle all around / Like bees when springtime arrives

Sometimes it seems we are not alone / Or I am you, we are everyone

We are everyone

There are those who hide their horns / And others who have glued wings to themselves

Walking to the beat, everyone on their feet / Left right, right and left, dust on the shoes

There is a bustle all around / Like bees when springtime arrives

Sometimes it seems we are not alone / Or I am you, we are everyone

We are everyone

Madness Again 

Madness again / Drilling in my head

From the closet / The demon escapes

Just like that, suddenly / The rope broke

In an ancient fervor / The dam was breached

Someone said (these are) the birth pangs of the Messiah/ Today it burns (but tomorrow) tomorrow it will grow

What is hidden from you promises / That the answer my friend is blowing in the wind

No solution / is certain

The horizon is close / The wound is open

Again the dream / Is caught in the net

And into the imagination / Reality invades

Someone said..

Seeing but Not Seeing

And these are the days / nights of canned goods / eyes up and down and sideways / seeing but not seeing / so little is necessary / so much is needed / moving moving moving / lost in relationships / and the love boat / shows only reruns / on those days / the heart is locked up / converting the pain into the pain of others / the heart is locked up / they go and sing / an anthem to indifference / a voice still in the heart gets lost / seeing but not seeing / in a sea of holes / the whole is always greater than the sum of parts / mine is his is yours / yours is not mine / it doesn't matter / you and I, they've said it before / it doesn't matter / just a tool

The Other

Let the mouth speak

Let the tongue release

With the face to the other

Who you did not know

The train will whistle

It's time to get on

The carriage of the spirits

That you forgot

So do not be afraid

And do not look from the sidelines

Because you are not alone in the world

With the face towards the other

You will discover yourself

With the face towards the other

The barrier will break

The word will bridge

The enemy is a friend

Who you neglected

So do not be afraid

And do not look from the sidelines

Because you are not alone in the world

With the face

Towards the other

I Surrender to You

You can never see the signs

Of the angels on the lines

What's already etched like a letter

On the faces of the go-getters

Not on my face, no, not at all

Because you tell me to heed your call

And in this world there's no distance

From you to me that can't be missed

I leave so I can return once more

Swift as a heart, bright as a light's allure

Give up on me, give up..

Please...

I descend to the ships below

Caught up in all the storms that blow

Tell me what

Tell me what's with you?

I'm choking amidst the debris

Breathing deep the waves of the sea

Tell me what

Tell me what's with you?

Your voice is like childhood days

Too strong, refusing to phase

With you, it'll be hard to die

Foolish to sink in pain's lie

The day fades without compromise

The blindness of the nights' disguise

Strikes forever its fears in vain

I'm tired of this hunger's strain

I leave so I can return once more

Broken like a heart, weak like a light's allure

Give up on me, give up...

Please...

I escape outside of time's hold

And you pull me back, so bold

I surrender

I surrender to you

The love that doesn't let go

This body, why is it torn so?

I surrender

I surrender to you

I descend to the ships below

Caught up in all the storms that blow

I'm choking amidst the debris

Casting deep the waves of the sea

I surrender

I surrender to you

Brilliant translation by Pentas

There Is, There Is, There Is

An array of colors above the water

Good morning, skies

There is, there is, there is

Glasses, shoes

Teeth marks

There is, there is, there is

This is how we pass

Through all kinds of things

This is how we know

Chocolate bars

The memory is still sweet

Who is alone and who is together

We have no fear

None, none, none

There is a place, there is a time

And there are all kinds of things

In motion every time

Like always...

City of Refuge 

A stunning cover to Ehud Banai's classic.

Before this drizzle turns into a flood

I must find an unlocked gate

Because the blues came back to me again

I must leave, I must move

On the winding road between Acre and Safed

In Tiberias on the dock, I go all the way down to Eilat

Cast out, fleeing, seeking a city of refuge

Cast out, fleeing, seeking - a city of refuge

Out on the horizon, the distant lights sparkle

I will get there with my last bit of strength

And you, wait for me at the entrance and turn on the light

A man returns to you from the frost

Take me to the altar, before I break

And until the truth comes out I will hide in you

Because you, yes you, will be my - city of refuge

Yes, until the truth comes out I will hide in you

Until the storm passes and the ice breaks

Until a flowing spring opens and gushes forth

Until the judge comes and acquits us

You, yes you, will be my - city of refuge

Master of the Universe

This haunting song was written by Bari Hazak, Z"'L, a soldier who fell in the Yom Kippur War.

Please amplify the strength of your signal

I can't hear you over here, I don't know

Did you stick a piece of shrapnel in the antenna's lapel again?

You're so gentle

Why are you so soft?

Why are you so civil?

Do I sound clear? Over,

Over, you're breaking up too

You sound injured, you're

In a valley well-surrounded

By mountains and a different Kinneret

Please announce the strength of your signal

Can't see your face on the radar

Why aren't you driving a half-track?

Why aren't you fighting?

Should I send a motorized patrol your way?

I am certain

That it won't arrive and won't return

A black wound

Please lower the strength of your signal

The treetops of the cypresses

Are whispering your name in vain as evening falls

And the lonely Northern Star

Where will it steer your army of wagons?

Where will it lead you with them?

Please close your eyes

I hear you now, Roger

You can finally die

Bereaved father, I can no longer feel

The tears of winter will say Kaddish for you

The End

Sagui Dekel-Chen - Minus One

"I'm not a singer, I'm a father who sings. I never intended to be a singer or to sing. I was kidnapped, they took everything from me. I woke up there in a hospital with a bandaged hand that didn't respond, a leg in a cast, handcuffed to a bed, they even took my earring. What they didn't take, simply because they didn't know, was the real strength from within. It helped me maintain hope, health, and sanity. Music was there for me in the most difficult moments: songs by others that played in my head. After a few months in captivity, I found myself starting to create songs. I couldn't write them; I memorized the words in my head. I couldn't play or sing them, so I just imagined the melodies.

On February 15, 2025, I was released from captivity. After two days, at night, in a hospital (the right one), I went to a side room and, with a voice like a toad without oxygen, quietly, even with a little shame, I recorded all nine songs on my phone, lyrics and melody. A few weeks later, I decided that one day I would perform the songs in a show. That day was postponed due to medical matters, rehabilitation, family, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and mainly because I couldn't allow myself to perform like this when there were still hostages I left behind.

After a long journey, this day has arrived. Today the music will be released, first of all in a concert - and then the entire album will be released to the world. It is no coincidence that I am doing the first show here in Nir Oz, in my home. This is the same lawn on which I ran all my childhood, the lawn on which I met Mili for the first time, the lawn on which I raised two daughters, the lawn on which I fought, and the lawn where my friends fell. This is a lawn with a different green. This is the lawn on which there were happy events in the past; since then, mainly funerals. Today's event is not a celebration, not a party, not a closing of a circle, not a victory; it is simply part of the story. Even though I chose not to return to live in Nir Oz, the kibbutz is very important to me, and I hope it will be rebuilt with new life; I hope this event will be a cornerstone of its foundations. This is also your story. Thank you for coming."

These are the words written by Sagui Dekel-Chen from a booklet given to the 3,000 attendees at his show at Nir Oz last Monday, along with the lyrics to his songs. So much has been said about the show and how moving it was, but I want to share the words that Itay Mautner, the director of the show, shared last week in a post:

"For one evening, Kibbutz Nir Oz was full of life...

3,000 people filled the saddest lawn in the world. A lawn that knew a normal, pleasant, and beautiful life before that Saturday (and not only, of course), and since October 7th has simply lost signs of life. Make no mistake about it: Nir Oz has a present, and there is growth, and there are all sorts of beautiful words, but mourning prevails in everything; the horror is on the paths, and in general almost all of the residents have not returned.

On Monday evening, a member of the kibbutz, Sagui Dekel-Chen, took to an amazing stage with talented musicians and delicate screens and sang the songs he wrote in the tunnels.

The songs are moving and delicate and beautiful, but this evening was not only tested musically. Underneath the moving two and a quarter hours, there hid an undercurrent which was present throughout the way - it's simply unbelievable! It's unbelievable that he's alive, that his daughters and beloved Mili are with us, that his mother (who was also kidnapped and escaped from them) is there. And many more friends and supporters. A packed lawn, from heart to heart. 

It's simply unfathomable, and throughout the show you are constantly reminded of this terrible/joyful fact.

I had the privilege of directing the show and working closely with Sagui and Mili. Throughout the entire process, I was careful not to turn this evening into another symbol of the government's false 'redemption', another moment of so-called unity.

It was a joyful evening that does not ignore the sadness. A colorful evening that sees all the black. An evening packed with people that sees the pit. 

Thank you very much for the privilege of taking part in an evening like this. For the opportunity to create moments of catharsis in front of people who, for too long, have worked to achieve the obvious - to bring our sons and daughters home.

And it was a tremendous evening that showed that music knows how to enter the wounded heart and does a dazzling job of polishing it.

Thank you to the wonderful Sagui, Oren Arnan, the hero from Shuki Weiss, to Michal and Daphna and Uri from the Israel Festival who invited, accompanied, and supported me, to the many friends who came to be with us on the grass...

I won

Now there is only one important job to do at the end of October, and we are on the right track".

I was curious to hear Sagui's songs the moment I heard about the show, and I was eager to listen to the entire album, Minus One. Some moments brought tears to my eyes, but there were also many moments of joy, celebrating the precious, ordinary moments of life. Here they are, track by track:

Song of Songs

All the songs, from all the years

Are playing in my head now one after another.

For each tune,

There is also a picture

Listen, I am singing them now to you quietly.

Love songs, with short sentences

That's how we fell in love when we were teens.

"Under the Sky"

We don't let go of our hands

We sent promises and dreams in letters.

Vacation songs, they remind me of a feeling

A caravan, a mountain, the sea, snow, a campfire.

"Getting on a flight"

I remember the whole journey

To sing songs of freedom from here is a terribly difficult thing.

Songs in two voices, in the car with the girls

I remember when we drove to Dimona on Rosh Hashanah Eve

"You'll see how good it will be"

We sang out loud, now I'm singing in silence

I remember the chorus from Friday in the living room,

Drinking chocolate milk and coffee and listening to happy songs.

"Little Gifts"

We danced with the girls

I also remember the smell of cake and a lovers' kiss.

Now I sing because what's even left?

It's love that reminds me how to breathe.

"Sad Roses"

Now the tears are falling.

I promise to return home to complete the dream.

"Imagine, in the middle of a beautiful day, I'll suddenly return"

Simply a Simple Day

Last night we met by accident.

No special occasion, simply a simple day.

You said, "I'm here on the lawn playing with the girls

Make two coffees and come to the swings."

You welcomed me with a smile and a kiss

And three beautiful girls are jumping on me with joy

Saying, "There's a picnic today, we invited friends.

We'll bring pizza and dessert and blue skies."

I don't know how, we suddenly got to the showers

They want foam on the beard and tickles with towels.

Each one chose a story, the same one every day

Now there's only three of us, me and you and the dream

And suddenly I woke up, alone in sadness

I'm left with half a smile from you.

I just wanted to dream for two more minutes or so

Wait for me, and in another moment we will meet again by accident

Wait for me, and in another moment we will meet again by accident

And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fall asleep

I waited so much to see your faces

I hope tonight too we will meet again by accident

No special event, simply a simple day

And suddenly I woke up, alone in sadness

I'm left with half a smile from you.

I just wanted to dream for two more minutes or so

Wait for me, and in another moment we will meet again by accident

Wait for me, and in another moment we will meet again by accident

Simply a simple day

I Don't Know Your Name Yet

I haven't sung you a goodnight song yet.

I haven't brought you in for a close, close hug.

We haven't had a sleepless night, I haven't gotten a little burp out of you yet.

We haven't touched our noses together yet, you haven't pulled my beard yet.

We haven't walked to the field of flowers yet.

I haven't introduced you to all the friends yet.

A Saturday picnic in the orchard, that's not to be missed.

I haven't made you milk yet, you haven't spilled my coffee yet.

But in my thoughts

I feel your breath.

I imagine eyes with the calm of the skies.

I'm on my way to you,

Take care of your mother and your sisters.

And when you look out the window, send me a first smile,

I don't know your name yet...

I haven't dressed you in a white dress yet.

And in fact, we don't have any pictures together yet.

I haven't made you a bed yet.

I haven't bought you a gift yet.

I haven't kissed you at night when you are asleep.

But in my thoughts

I feel your breath.

I imagine eyes with the calm of the skies.

I'm on my way to you,

Take care of your mother and your sisters.

And when you look out the window, send me a first smile,

I don't know your name yet...

I don't know your name yet...

Tell me, what is your name?

A Bag of Hearts

I once read in fairy tales

About a beautiful girl, golden hair, kind blue eyes.

She was different from all the others, 

Because she went everywhere with a bag full of hearts.

And she gave them to everyone around her,

To family and neighbors, to every friend, boy or girl.

And she decorated each heart, and on the back she wrote:

I love you too, no reason needed!

And if you see the girl from the story

Call her Bar or Berry or Barbur

I once read in folktales

About an eight-story chocolate castle.

At the top was a girl, the queen of all cures,

Because one hug from her solved all problems.

So she hugged everyone who was looking for joy,

Everyone wanted a hug, even the princess.

She hugged everyone who was in trouble.

She also hugged a sad mother.

I once read in monster stories

About a superhero girl with all kinds of powers.

Math exercise powers while doing a cartwheel.

A tent city with friends every day in the middle of the living room.

And you can't beat her superpowers,

She's smart, creative, talented, she's a producer.

And if you ever get caught in a rescue mission

Dial 284... Super B is on her way.

And then you'll see the girl from the story

Call her Bar or Berry or Barbur

I call her Berry

Thank You for Mili

Most of the time I write songs about you,

There's about a whole drawer.

Most of the time I think about what your eyes will say,

How do you catch butterflies of 20 years?

We saw the world, we broke waves, coffee on the moon, barefoot.

You taught me how to smile, how to talk, how to hug.

How can I explain to you what you are to me?

Thank you for Mili, she's everything to me.

Maybe you'll understand, maybe you'll believe

Thank you for Mili, she's my luck.

Most of the time I remember the warmth of your hands, from long ago

Then under the light in the corner.

We coordinated our breaths, we kissed on the lips

I've kept the taste for 20 years now.

I fell in love with all the colors, a dress and bangs, a pearl necklace.

Then you smiled a little smile, a rainbow appeared.

You brought me the sun as a gift.

Most of the time I imagine your beauty,

I also made you a crown of daisies.

I drew you on a background of happiness,

The three hearts are climbing on you.

Thank you for Mili, she is everything to me.

Maybe you'll understand, maybe you'll believe

Thank you for Mili, she's my luck.

Thank you for Mili, my Mili

My Corner

Yesterday they hung a mirror in the cell, on the bars.

I approached slowly, we hadn't seen each other for months.

I saw a few scars, there were some I hadn't seen.

I saw a few glances, a sad look I didn't recognize.

So I went back to my corner

Then I stood up, maybe we'll look from afar.

We'll slowly get to know each other, it's okay to be quiet for a while.

I saw a man standing hunched over, his hand hanging down, leaning to the right.

He seemed a little lost to me, he wasn't looking ahead.

So I went back to my corner

Why does a mirror just show a tired wrapper

When in fact everything inside is broken?

If that's all they see in you, we'll spread makeup on you.

At night I woke up, I approached shyly.

Let's talk alone, quietly, honestly.

I saw a strong man who is weak, he won't be able to hug.

I saw a strong man who is weak, he won't be able to get stronger.

So I went back to my corner

Why does a mirror just show a tired wrapper

When in fact everything inside is broken?

If that's all they see in you, we'll spread makeup on you.

In the morning, I woke up with wet eyes.

I stood in front of the mirror, asking about the girls.

Don't worry, they're all fine, relax, wash your face.

I'll remind you who you are, I have pictures, I have stories.

That's how we became friends,

Sharing scars, tears, pictures, and stories.

The Smile Factory

Every day a bit after the sunrise I push myself out of the blanket,

I see little Gali sleeping diagonally.

I go out on my tiptoes into a few seconds of silence,

And already from between all the sheets the smile factory comes out.

We go to the kindergarten either skipping or on a tricycle,

She notices every flower or just a stone or a bird.

And then she hears the sounds of a nearby tractor,

She already runs, "maybe it's Tata", we steal a good morning smile.

And when she begins: la

With her magic: la

Even without a word: la

Everyone smiles at her

She returns home, and even before the door shuts

She's at a party or hide-and-seek or makes a cake in the mud.

Then she wants a trip to the pool or to the horses across the street

And then to the playground, she'll create smiles there.

And when she begins: la

With her magic: la

Even without a word: la

Everyone smiles at her

It's time to go to sleep, she wants one last song,

About the girl who travels in a club car and a quad bike.

A few more caresses and it's already the sleep of the angels,

Because tomorrow, a bit after sunrise, the smile factory will be up.

And again she begins: la

With her magic: la

Even without a word: la

Everyone smiles at her

A Letter to Arik

Between the dark and the hidden in our bitter world

They say there is still hope, it's called love

And wait for it to arrive

Hey Arik, it's me.

We don't know each other, I just wanted to say thank you

For all the words, the melodies, I opened them in a tunnel.

"Between the dark and the hidden in our bitter world"

Did you check before you sang that - "there is a solution to disaster"?

Because I've been here for a year already, running from place to place, with a bag of hope.

Amidst longing, despair, anxiety, I have 70 kilos of love

Which I guard, because I remember

You told me that:

I have love in me and it will wake up and touch

I have love in me and it will win

Show me the "light at the end", just for a moment, even if it is far away.

I want to escape the tears, yesterday I even tried to laugh a little.

A cold night in front of concrete, imagining stars; there is one there, and there, and there,

I tell of "dreams of deer" to my four loves.

Whom I guard, because I remember

You told me that:

I have love in me and it will wake up and touch

I have love in me and it will win

The Song for Me

This song is for me,

No one wants to tell a story like mine.

Memories I don't want to remember,

Everything that happened after the light went out.

It contains thoughts that are hard to think about,

There's nowhere to run, maybe the end is near.

What could I have done? Maybe I had a choice.

They're shooting at my family, there's no way back.

They took me, bleeding and sad.

They took a happy life, when will I see you again?

When I'm in pain, hungry, scared, lonely and cold

I whisper to myself again, "Dad doesn't break".

With every longing I talk to you,

Tell me if you smiled today, it will comfort me.

Tell me about the kindergarten, the school, the baby, the hope?

Tell me if I left you enough love.

I wrote a song for each one, but it's not a sign.

It collects my tears, it collects the time.

A part of me gets stronger, recovers a little,

A part of me remains on Saturday morning.

Afraid to sing difficult words.

Afraid of the nightmares, afraid of screams.

Afraid of not coming back - there is a growing noise

But I'm afraid most of all of returning to an empty house.

Afraid of not coming back - there is a growing noise

But I'm afraid most of all of returning to an empty house.

Tyto Alba - Where to Return

Magical ♥

He draws away and hides his eyes

The wind is singing, 

She is coming now.

A lit road,

He goes and never returns.

A lit road,

A glance behind him.

He folds the rest of his strength

The wind is singing,

Autumn is already over.

A lit road,

He goes and never returns.

A lit road,

A glance behind him.

There will be nowhere to return to.

There is no more reason to look back

linktr.ee/tytoalba.music

Amit Dagan - The Mulberry Tree

 

My favorite song from Amit Dagan's soulful new album Ground Floor.

On Friday, I read the newspaper
Four hundred thousand people went out to the Ayalon

And I care about it, but I have no solution

In any case, everyone knows what's right

Sometimes I look out the window

Like looking at reality from within imagination

What is sanity and what is madness

Is it in me or is reason outside

So I went out to the mulberry tree in the yard

There I am not in a hurry

And I have no worries

And I knew that time doesn't really stop

Soon all this will be over

I have no choice

And I look enviously

At the children in the yard

Trampoline, swings, and rope

And for years I don't know what to say

Everything feels worn out, stale, and unnecessary

They say not to cry over what has passed

And that you should look towards tomorrow

When a day passes, it gives me an opportunity for another day

And a new day offers itself to support, to lean on

I need to hold on tight, not to leave, not to let go

I need me now, I need a friend now

So I went out...

Amalia Small - Tides

 

So lovely. Amalia Small's new album Something New is out now, and it's such a great listen. A ray of sunshine to save for a cloudy day.

Sky's on your shoulder
Getting older

Way back home the way back home

When you near it must believe it

To the bone right through the bone

And you

Love the cold winds

And tides tire, and tides tired eyes

When we tried a feeling see the unseen

Under my skin kisses of gin

Wounds unspoken can't seem to open

What do you mean when you're saying that you

Love the cold winds

That you love the cold winds

And tides tire and tides tired eyes

Afraid to lose it can't seem to choose it

A question pouring

Waking the dream

Sky's on your shoulder

Feeling bolder way back home

The way back home

Taftir - Tavasim

 

So good ♥

batov.lnk.to/OdLaylaBaAyara

The Idan Raichel Project - Out of the Depths

 

Mazal Tov Sasha and Sapir! Sasha and Sapir were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th while they were visiting Sasha's family. His mother Yelena, and his grandmother Irena Tati were also kidnapped, and his father, Vitaly, was murdered by Hamas terrorists. The three women were released after about 50 days, and Sasha was released in February 2025 and had to undergo extensive medical treatments due to untreated injuries to his legs, where he was shot by the terrorists.

It was so emotional to see the couple walk down the aisle and start their married life together. Under the chuppah, Sasha shared why they chose to walk down the aisle to this beautiful song by the Idan Raichel Project. He said that he was isolated in captivity and one day, at around day 50, when he was at his lowest, one of the guards had left behind a small radio. He was afraid to use it and would only listen to it for a few minutes at night and at the lowest volume, to try to understand what was going on. And then he heard this song, with the chillingly accurate lyrics calling out from the depths and he thought of Sapir. May they build a joyous home together with love, light, and laughter ♥

Out of the depths I called to you, come to me

When you return, the light will return to my eyes

Unfinished, your touch does not leave

May it come and shine at the sound of your laughter.

Out of the depths I called to you, come to me

Beneath the moon that lights your way back to me

They spread out and melted at the touch of your hands

A whisper in your ear asks

Who is calling you tonight? - Listen

Who sings to you - at your window?

Who devotes his soul so you will be happy?

Who puts his hand to building your home?

Who will place his very life beneath you?

Who will live like dust at your feet?

Who will love you more than all your lovers?

Who will save you from every evil spirit?

Out of the depths.

Out of the depths I called to you, come to me

Beneath the moon that lights your way back to me

They spread out and melted at the touch of your hands

A whisper in your ear asks

Who is calling you tonight?

IDIOT! - I Dreamed of America

1,000 days.

Lyrics: Ori Rousso

Melody: Rufus Wainwright (Going to a Town)
Musical Production: IDIOT! (Ori Rousso & Itamar Loebstein)

Released in January 2024

Saturday morning, sounds of war

A Saturday when we didn't understand how, we didn't understand what

She was still asleep, I cried because of her

And I thought about America

I wanted to hope that it was a nightmare and we would soon wake up

I thought that by now we wouldn't worry anymore

I don't like seeing her so wounded

So I imagined America

You'll get back on your feet again

You'll get stronger, girl

You'll be great

Like America

You'll be great

Baby

Believe me when I tell you that everything will turn out okay

Baby

Smile at me and don't let go, this isn't the time to give up

No matter what

Wherever you go, I'm with you

And America is with us too

No matter what

As long as you hold my hand, I stay sane

We fell into a complicated and unpredictable world

I was afraid of falling asleep to another bad dream

So I dreamed of America

You'll get back on your feet again

You'll get stronger, girl

You'll be great like America

You'll be great

You'll get stronger, girl

You'll make me happy

And I'll make you happy too

We'll play games again

We'll laugh like children again

The soldiers will return

And we'll hear sounds

Of comfort

Talya Danzig - Flower and Songs

 

♥

Stop fighting already

Breaking, shouting, insulting

The lights are already out

And everyone here is sleeping

The flowers on the hill

Said softly and pleasantly

That there is no way back to the home that was

Cyclamen and chrysanthemum

Anemones and tulips

On such a pleasant bed

Turn me into a flower and songs

Turn me into a flower and songs

Everyone here is sleeping

Stop fighting already

Everyone here is sleeping

Stop fighting already

Everyone here is sleeping

Everyone here is sleeping

talyadanzig.lnk.to/Perahveshirim

Offer Nissim X Shiri Maimon - Look Into My Eyes

When the missiles from Iran started to fall last Sunday, my first thought was 'oh no, there goes Pride, again'. Last year's Pride celebrations were cancelled at the last minute because of the war with Iran, and it wasn't clear at all how long this round would be. But by Monday evening restrictions were lifted and the Pride Parade was back on. It was so nice to see everyone gather to celebrate love and freedom, and just to have a good time. It's not Pride weekend without Offer Nissim's legendary 'Ofra' party, long-awaited after his Purim party was cancelled because of the war. He released this new track with Shiri Maimon ahead of the concert, and I just can't get enough of it! Check out Shiri's stunning performance at Ofra here. Queen!

You said that one day you'd break my heart

So I ran away, but the fire pulled me close

And who are we to know

If it's just a moment or real love?

It takes its place, it scares us both

And sometimes, in the middle of life

Without a warning, the heart gets caught

And brings us to our knees

Blow the smoke around me

Mix up all my sense of time

With three glasses of wine

Make love to me once more

I just want to be close to you

And touch the sky

A broken heart never lies

Feel the way my heartbeat rises

Just look into my eyes

I cried the whole night long

Until there were no tears left to fall

Outside it's a party, inside it's screams

And I didn't know how to come back

When my whole body was drunk

And only my mind kept pulling me forward

And sometimes, in the middle of life

Without a warning, the heart gets caught

And brings us to our knees

Blow the smoke around me

Mix up all my sense of time

With three glasses of wine

Thank you Youtube user @benleontlv for the great translation!

Astar Shamir - Mid-September / Fireflies

I was so sad to hear of Astar Shamir's death today after battling cancer. She wrote so many classics, and one of them that stands out is 'Mid-September', which she wrote in 1982, following the Lebanon War and the Sabra and Shatila massacre. Gali Atari first performed it four years later, as the title track of her classic album, capturing the heavy mood at the time. 

The year begins in mid-September
With great and growing rage
Stormy winds do battle on every front
Winter kills and reaps

They say the end of the world is coming

At night the dark deepens

All summer long the sky was red with pain

Beneath it the earth was burning

Between us madness comes and goes

Life makes fools of us too

I look for the stillness in myself but can't find it

Where will this take us?

The year begins in mid-September

Winter is hardest of all

All my songs flee far from the line of fire

Perhaps they don't want to suffer

They say the end of the world is coming

At night the dark deepens

All summer long the sky was red with pain

Beneath it the earth was burning

Translation from lyricstranslate

Shamir wrote 'Fireflies' 20 years later, and it's become one of her most beloved songs. Her beautiful soul shines in the song, and she will be dearly missed.

I am returning to the forest to gather fireflies

I left little lights behind when I left

Words heavy with sorrow, that couldn't fly

Songs I didn't gather when I left

I'm going back to the past to gather fireflies

To build from them a ladder of stars

Paths I didn't walk because they couldn't be

Maybe they are still waiting there for me

If my heart goes there

Come to the past without stopping

We'll gather all the good

We'll gather all the innocence

We'll gather fireflies and return

A girl there is waiting for me, she falls in love without seeing

Fireflies surround her in a bright light

Come back to me, I'll protect you from trouble

Come and together we'll grow stronger

I'm returning to the past, not afraid of time

Knowing the difference between good and evil

We'll gather all the good

All the light, all the innocence

We'll bring them back here

If my heart goes there

Come to the past without stopping

We'll gather all the good

We'll gather all the innocence

We'll gather fireflies and return

Kutiman & Dekel - Hope

 So beautiful. Kutiman and Dekel's new album Hope is out next week!

Everything I see now
Doesn't make me feel like

Someone who belongs but

Maybe I am wrong

I think I know the way

To make you fall in love

When night turns into day

You'll know I'm right

Nobody understands

The things you feel inside

I hope you'll feel the same

I want to tell you

(My eyes)

I need you now

(Just hide)

I wanna pray

(Inside)

I don't know how

(Your sky)

Give me something

(Hold on)

That I can feel

(You are)

Will stay forever

(My star)

Will stay for real

I think I know the way

To make you fall in love

When night turns into day

You'll know I'm right

Nobody understands

The things you feel inside

I hope you'll feel the same

I wanna tell you

(My eyes)

I need you now

(Just hide)

I wanna pray

(Inside)

I don't know how

(Your sky)

Give me something

(Hold on)

That I can feel

(You are)

Will stay forever

(My star)

Will stay for real

Oooh...

Nobody understands

The things you feel inside

I hope you'll feel the same

Yoni Rechter and Eli Degibri - It's the Same Love

So lovely!

From Yoni Rechter: This is the first song I wrote with Arik Einstein 50 years ago. And this is the first time I'm recording a performance of it. 

I thought it would be interesting to divide the role of the speaker in the song between two performers and I was very happy when my friend Eli Degibri agreed to sing it with me.

I have been collaborating with Eli for over 20 years in various settings, and it's always been a great pleasure for me.

The song will be released on a new album, 'Closed Open Closed', most of which contains instrumental pieces."

Lyrics - Arik Einstein, Composition - Yoni Rechter, Arrangement - Yoni Rechter and Eli Degibri

I can't wait for the new album to come out. In the meantime, make sure to check out Yoni Rechter and Eli Degibri's concert for the 2020 Piano Festival. I still remember what a delight it was to watch it during the pandemic. And here is a beautiful performance of Arik Einstein performing the original with a young Yoni Rechter.

When we were young

You remember,

Love blossomed back then

And today, years later

There is no other -

It's the same love

"You have changed, my love" -

You say

And so did you, my love

"I would do it all over again,

Repeat it again"

It's so good that you're with me

When you are happy and laughing

Then I laugh with you

And when you suddenly cry and are hurt

Then I walk with you

"Hug me now" -

You say

Then you too, my love

"I would do it all over again,

Repeat it again"

It's so good that you're with me

yonirechter.lnk.to/haahava

Noam Bettan - Michelle

 

FLAWLESS! Good luck Noam!! 

English translation from Genius.com

Michelle, this is a toxic love, I'm in the darkness

How did you leave me in the shadows?

A star without fame, a great madwoman

I rise and fall

Oh, Michelle

I no longer know what to do

You were my light

God, I beg you, wake me up

I plunged into the dark

Bring me back some hope

And my mademoiselle

So I dance, dance with pain

You will see me laugh, laugh again

You're my pain, I was only a decoration

I screamed, screamed, screamed

Michelle

I'm letting you go, goodbye my beautiful

I'm letting you go, but I love you

The queen of problems

Michelle, Michelle, Michelle

Walking down Florentin

Ocean eyes, memories

I, I'm losing my mind

An angel, but is it hell

Trapped in your carousel

'Round and 'round ('Round and 'round)

Under your spell

Michelle (Michelle)

I'm letting you go, goodbye my beautiful

I'm letting you go, but I love you

The queen of problems

Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle

And maybe in the end, things will turn out well for us

I pray for you that you will deserve to love

Between tear to tear, there is someone who will hear

There is someone who will hear

(Michelle)

I'm letting you go, goodbye my beautiful (Michelle)

I'm letting you go, but I love you

The queen of problems (Ooh; Oh-oh, oh-oh)

Ooh, I love you

My queen of problems

Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle

Netta - Serenada

Serenada is the Hebrew word for Serenade, a musical composition dedicated to a loved one, often performed outdoors at night. It's also the name of an antidepressant medication given to people to treat depression, panic attacks, OCD, and PTSD. Netta Barzilai and her ex-boyfriend, Guy, have been courageously open about Guy's struggles with PTSD after being called up to serve in Lebanon during the war, and their struggles as a couple, an all too familiar reality in this country. 

From Netta: "If there's a word that has been used too easily in the last three years, it's 'post-trauma'. 'The society is in post-trauma', 'the country is in post-trauma'. No, first and foremost, it's the people, and for them too, this word is a sticker or title, not something that scratches the complexity and the coping or the depression and the mental crisis that are an inseparable part of it.

We live in a visual, flat world. Sometimes what you don't see doesn't exist. And this damage is transparent. There are no visual signs.

I loved one person, but so many people around us are standing before the abyss during this time, and so many people who love them are standing before them helplessly - like me."

Netta's new seven-song album was made to be heard and seen in one sitting, track by track. For 21 minutes and 52 seconds I encourage you to join Netta's journey as she learns to breathe instead of drown.

 

Serenada

I can count 

On one hand, the times that

You said it was hard for you

But I see it all

Don't lie to me, tell me when

Because it burns me to see

You consciously

Hurting 

Yourself a bit again

It hurts me, my heart hurts

I can't 

See you like this

And hopefully

Someone will stop the

Serenada

All the demons, the ghosts, now

They are all singing

We stayed up at night

We heard in our heads the

Serenada

All the good words that turned into songs

We were already happy

I don't know anything

Just to love you like this

And to try to give you

Everything I can

And then to cry in the shower

Because it burns me to see

You consciously

Hurting yourself a bit again

It hurts me

My heart hurts

I can't see you like this

And hopefully

Someone will stop the

Serenada

All the demons, the ghosts, now

They are all singing

We stayed up at night

We heard in our heads the

Serenada

All the good words that turned into songs

We were already happy

Oxytocin

It's best if we get back to routine

Deep sleep

We'll wake up to the birds

Breathing, not speaking

Even when we do everything by the book

And it's impossible to say okay

Yes, we can say we're trying

Oxytocin

Let's hug and wait

Until we feel close

Oh my love

Let's inhale and exhale

Air from the lungs

Something's not going through the indicators

It's stuck between the heart and the uniform

And to tell you honestly, I don't have the strength for a high alert

Because you already left and you're still inside

Oxytocin

Let's hug and believe

Until it feels good here

Oh my love

It scares me too

Between darkness and light

Air to the lungs

Until dawn we'll wait together, I have patience

Even Rome wasn't built in a day so patience

Brick by brick we'll build an empire of gentleness

I sing all the way

Rounds

Talking is taboo

So I got a tattoo

About things that touched me

A life I had

Just so they wouldn't suspect

Emotions were robbed

The demons that burned in me

Dreams I had

The conclusion suddenly drips down on me

Anemones won't bloom in a cotton field

And you can't live a life without intention

I know

Just rise up, up

To release what's not mine, not mine, what's mine?

And the road is not easy, not easy

Holding tight during all the rounds

It's a necessary change

Fate insists

A bowl turned upside down

Walking on the border

Between the good and the forbidden

Between the gray and the clear

I'm not satisfied

And I'm not holding back either

Without floats, I jump into the abyss

Giving up on yesterday for today

To be swept away by the violence of the imagination

Not afraid

Just rise up, up

To release what's not mine, not mine, what's mine?

And the road is not easy, not easy

Holding tight during all the rounds

Alone alone alone

We did everything

We tried to go with the wind

We drowned in the sand

When we stopped to rest

All night climbing up the walls

Don't turn on the lights I want to cry

You and I

We were a perfect chaos

Yell at me again that it's not for me

It was real

That's what I wanted

You left yourself when you left me

Alone alone alone

Alone alone alone

Alone alone alone

Small in the world

Not anyone's

Keeping my distance

Paving a new, safe path for me

I tried hard

Not to bite the apple

All the dreams I left behind

Sad to be alone

Sadder to return

You and I

We were a perfect chaos

Yell at me again that it's not for me

It was real

That's what I wanted

You left yourself when you left me

Alone alone alone

Alone alone alone

Alone alone alone

Small in the world

Not anyone's

Leftovers

The cheese in the past few days

Has been packing up all its belongings

It said goodbye to the peppers

And to the apple, which they ate a bit of

There are three slices left

Slowly rotting away

Poor thing, they opened it and didn't finish

See what it has to offer

And they exhausted the idea

Everyone wants to be the first

You're not so pretty without the nylons anymore

Leftovers, you're just leftovers

Everyone ate from you

You're all marks and traces

Get yourself outside

There's something a bit sour about you

And say hello

To the cats

They once told you that you were pleasant

Smooth and comforting

They skipped a beat

They messed with you from all directions

And you let them take

Because you thought they were giving

You're sorry you gave up the lid

And because you were so hurt

You covered yourself with a hard crust

You told the cats

And you kept asking

If I'm so delicious then how come they didn't finish everything?

This too will happen

Something in me below is dying

Something in me above is dying to be with you

If I had anything to give

Everything I had was already yours

In bright lights

You wanted it all

Begging, wait

With time

This too will happen

I'm a new person tomorrow

I promise

I promise you

I'll manage

To love you

Just as you deserve

As you deserve

We had a nice ride

I don't have to worry about you, you'll be happy

I didn't want you to see this

One day I'll manage to ask for forgiveness

In bright lights

You wanted it all

Begging, wait

With time

This too will happen

I'm a new person tomorrow

I promise

I promise you

I'll manage

To love you

Just as you deserve

As you deserve

Elevator

Not yet

I promise that you don't have to worry about him yet

Still afraid to drive a car

It's too early to talk about the past

Motto

There aren't many fish in the sea anymore

Hold on tight

Not giving up easily on the game, no

Because if I won, I'd still have love

Take the weight and put it on me

You don't feel it underwater

Let's talk without thinking twice

I won't wait two days for you

Come

I'm tired of climbing the stairs

I, too, have scars you haven't seen

And even if I wasn't where you were

I'm shouting asking

You to come

Climb with me up to all the dreams

From the depths you've already swum

I cried everything you didn't cry

And then I saved a place for you

In the elevator

Elevator

Elevator

Elevator

Why did you elevate in my mind

So hypothetically

In a perfect world

I solve an equation and the fear disappears

Everywhere I looked

You were there

You were there

You would

Place my head on your shoulder

Tell me the world is just exhausting

It's lucky I have you, alone it's no fun

The head has loosened

The fear is burning

I'm getting out

Of here

Well

Come on

I'm tired of climbing the stairs

I, too, have scars you haven't seen

And even if I wasn't where you were

I'm shouting asking

You to come

Climb with me up to all the dreams

From the depths you've already swum

I cried everything you didn't cry

And then I saved a place for you

In the elevator

Elevator

Elevator

Elevator

Why did you elevate in my mind

Shye Ben Tzur - Like a Wildflower

 

This stunning cover of Chava Alberstein's classic was released a few months ago as part of Beit Avi Chai's Song of Hope series. The song starts at 5:00, but I highly recommend listening to Shye Ben Tzur (there are English subtitles in the video). He says that he felt that something inside him wrote the song, and I can really feel in his performance the connection to Rachel Shapira's beautiful lyrics, which have brought comfort to so many people. 

Shye's much-anticipated new album with Jonny Greenwood and The Rajasthan Express will be out next week and in the meantime you can see the video for Shemesh, a gift that couldn't have come at a better time. ♥  

Zehu Ze and T-Slam - The Face of the Nation

 

I used to like watching the torch-lighting ceremony marking the beginning of Independence Day celebrations, but I felt like I couldn't see it last night. In the past few years, it has become so political, organized by Transport Minister Miri Regev, with constant camera cuts to her seated next to Netanyahu and his wife. I heard that Netanyahu gave an election-style speech, in which he talked about returning all the hostages from Hamas captivity, without differentiating between those who were returned alive and those whose bodies were returned. I thought of the moving interview I saw with Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th and was executed in August 2024, along with five other hostages. In the interview, Rachel talks about the day of the funeral and how she saw people in the streets carrying signs reading the word "sorry". I remember the anguish during that time. It wasn't just "we are sorry for your loss", it was "we are sorry that we didn't bring Hersh back sooner, before it was too late". We will always have enemies, but he should never have been kidnapped from a security-cleared music festival within Israel's borders.

This song was written in 1990, in response to Shimon Peres's attempt, and failure, to form a narrow government with the ultra-orthodox parties, in what became known as "the dirty trick". Reading the lyrics, this could have been written today, and it's not a surprise that Zehu Ze chose to perform it on their show last week, together with T-Slam, who are still rockers to their core.

He went out in the morning of a tiring summer's day
Kissed his wife, crossed the road

An elegant car, a skillful driver

Galloping to the capital - a new day for the small businessman

Places a call during the trip - party business

And worries about his part of the slice of the cake

The conversation streams, things were promised to him

For many years now, he hasn't represented those who voted for him

Documents for review, budgets for development
And cigar smoke out the open window

He says to a member of the party, "Just a moment Gedalia

Perhaps you'll be the Ambassador to Australia"

He observes the landscape of the nation he loved

So what if on the way, he lied and stole

His face is reflected in the window in the corner

His face is

The face of the nation...

The halls of power and the floors of bureaucracy

Budgets for Yeshivas at the cost of inflation

He cut in a minute three factories

And four hundred workers were made unemployed

Driving south in his car - bluish window blinds

He stopped for a visit to bereaved parents

He forgot he advocated for war

His face is

The face of the nation

He's important and well-connected and will continue, come what may

He is the one who will decide if there will be a war

He is the one who will determine your children's education

He is the one who will set procedures, and you'll lose your temper

In a fiery speech to an emotional crowd

Redeeming ground with sickle and scythe

Vote correctly and I implore you...

Give me power

Let me scream

Whatever I desire

Because I had

A land of milk and honey

Play music now...

And I don't understand what changed

If I'm the only idiot in the country,

Who is anxious about tomorrow and dreams of olive leaves

And wants to feel that my home is here

I caress your face, look out the window

And you smile within a dream

I love that you are like this and don't change

Your smile is

The face of the nation

Thank you to Moshe Kaye for the translation.

Ilanit and Doron Talmon - A Song for an Ordinary Day

 

Passover is the holiday of freedom, and to mark the holiday, the Kan 88 radio station aired three special programs, each one curated by a former hostage, giving them complete freedom to play whatever they wanted. Each show gave so much insight into their inner world. I loved Amit Soussana's picks with deep cuts that don't usually make it to the radio, and I was deeply moved by Yarden Bibas's selections. Yarden shared that the songs he chose have helped him in the past year, expressing emotions that he hasn't been able to describe in words. It was especially emotional to hear him say he would play Zakk Wylde's "I Thank You Child" on family car trips, and Ariel knew it was 'their song'. He played the song at the funeral of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, and lyrics from the song are inscribed on their tombstone: "It was you who made living all worthwhile, oh lovin' you it's the best". We will never forget them.

While Amit and Yarden stuck to specific genres, I loved how Guy Gilboa Dalal took us on a genre-spanning musical journey. He shared how Avenge Sevenfold's Buried Alive gave him strength during his captivity, and I can't help but shiver when I hear the lyrics "Hold on to faith as I dig another grave", knowing the hell he has been through and survived. Later in the show, he dedicated Avenge Sevenfold's Gunslinger, to his older brother, who had introduced him to the band when he was a kid. They had gone to the Nova Festival together with friends, and Guy knew before he was taken hostage that his brother was injured. "I didn't know what happened to my brother, I didn't know if my brother was alive, but I had faith. The song is about war, about the hardship, the loneliness, and the strong desire to return home to the person you love. When I got home, I discovered that my brother had the meaning of the song tattooed on his leg, as a symbol of our bond". In February 2025, when Tal Shoham and Or Wenkert were released from captivity, Guy had asked them to send songs to his family members, each song with its own special meaning and significance. He sent Gunslinger to his brother, Liad Meir's Sunglasses to his sister, Damien Jr Gong Marley's Medication to his dad, and Ilanit's A Song for an Ordinary Day to his mom. I was familiar with the classic song, but never really stopped to listen to the lyrics, beautifully written by Rachel Shapira. This moving performance is from last year and was dedicated to the families of the hostages. With all we've been through, I am comforted by the fact that our hostages have returned home, and it is always possible to find and to share the small joys of an ordinary day.

If I have strings, they play with vibration

If I have a worry, it is almost exposed

If I have love in me, it will speak quietly

If I have roots, they lengthen slowly

You see how suddenly I'm shivering

The wind often changes its direction

We tried to leave, but I know

That we still stay year after year

In our rooms, the sun is sketching

Lines and strips of light on the walls

Every morning, I collect for you

Small details, small joys of an ordinary day

Are you responding? Will you answer me?

Maybe my sounds get in your ears

Maybe you listen, maybe you are like me

I can see my face suddenly reflected in yours

If I have strings, they play trembling...

This ordinary day is a day of grace

And in its grace, these lines are written for you

Take my hand now, reconcile with me

On such an ordinary day, our paths meet

I used the help of this excellent translation by Boaz Lenn, featuring the original video, a timeless classic.