Music

Noam Bettan takes second place at Eurovision, Switzerland to release Mengele files

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise. 

Noam Bettan, winner of the reality show "The Next Star" poses for a picture after winning the final in Neve Ilan, near Jerusalem, January 21, 2026.
Kav Rakia.

Music, food and an open skyline: Kav Rakia returns under the stars

ISRAELI SINGER Noam Bettan, representing Israel with the song 'Michelle', celebrates in the artist's zone during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (ESC) at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria on May 16, 2026.

Israel’s Noam Bettan takes second place in Eurovision 2026, Bulgaria wins

LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER, representing the United Kingdom, attends the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest’s ‘Turquoise Carpet’ event in Vienna, Austria, on May 10, 2026.

The BBC’s commitment to losing Eurovision is genuinely impressive - comment


'A hug from God': Diana Klein on music, healing, and women’s empowerment - interview

Diana Klein’s music offers comfort, hope, and strength for women seeking self-appreciation.

Diana Klein singing.

Also in Hebrew: Google launches personalized music creation in Gemini

Google unveils a new AI model in Gemini that turns text, images and video into original music tracks with custom melody and lyrics in seconds, including a Hebrew beta version.

Google Gemini

Neil Sedaka, famed Jewish pop icon and hit songwriter, dies at 86 - NYT

The famed hitmaker behind "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Calendar Girl" died at 86 after reinventing his career multiple times.

American singer Neil Sedaka performs on BBC Top of the Pops, London, United Kingdom, 22nd November 1972.

Jerusalem Highlights: February 27-March 2

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

‘Don Pasquale’ (see Sunday).

Former hostage performs song he sang in Hamas tunnels on first birthday since captivity

Held two weeks ago, the concert celebrated Ohel’s first birthday outside captivity, coming four months after his release. Tickets sold out within hours.

FORMER HOSTAGE Alon Ohel performs with Israeli artists during a concert in Tel Aviv, on February 9, 2026.

Smash Mouth breaks boycott mold with surprise Tel Aviv club concert

Smash Mouth made a surprise appearance at Tel Aviv’s Barby club as part of a secret concert series, defying the trend of artists boycotting Israel and drawing an enthusiastic crowd.

Zach Goode, the Jewish lead singer of Smash Mouth, performing in Monterrey, Mexico, April 3, 2023; illustrative.

Steve Jobs’ 2001 music gadget is back: eBay searches surge as refurbished iPod sales jump

Driven by nostalgia for 'simpler' times and viral social media, people are choosing 'single-purpose' music players over smartphones to avoid ads, apps, and distractions.

Steve Jobs

Former hostage Daniella Gilboa celebrates freedom in her debut single

Daniella Gilboa releases her powerful debut single, "Where Everything Ends," reflecting her journey from captivity to healing and hope.

 Released hostage Daniella Gilboa returning to her home in Petah Tikva, February 5, 2025.

U2 releases EP featuring poem by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai

Israel Prize winner Yehuda Amichai, who died in 2000, is considered by many to have been the greatest modern Israeli poet.

Irish singer of U2 Bono poses during a photocall for the film "Bono: Stories of Surrender" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 17, 2025.

Canvas for a cause: Art, music, and tzedakah in Jerusalem

Canvas for a Cause, an art auction benefiting the synagogue’s charitable fund, Keren Tzedakah, drew community members, art lovers, and supporters of social justice.

Art auction at Kehilat Kol HaNeshama.