Moroccan Jewish Piyutim Tradition Revived in Israel
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
The 2026 season of "Shirat Ha'בקשות," a traditional North African Jewish singing practice, has opened in Ashdod, Israel, with a festive concert. The Center for Piyut and Poetry is organizing gatherings nationwide throughout the winter, culminating in a final concert. This tradition, blending piyutim and Andalusian music, is being actively preserved and passed on to younger generations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The 2026 season of "Shirat Ha'בקשות," a Moroccan Jewish musical tradition, has opened in Ashdod, Israel.
- The Center for Piyut and Poetry is hosting events across Israel throughout the winter.
- The tradition combines piyutim with Andalusian music and is being passed to younger generations.
- The season will conclude with a major concert at the Ashdod Performing Arts Center.
- Mordechai Azran is the artistic director, and Tali Saharony chairs the Center for Andalusian Culture and Piyut.
The tradition of "Piyutim" (liturgical poems) and "Shirat Ha'בקשות" (the singing of requests), a centuries-old musical heritage of North African Jewry, has been revitalized in Israel with the opening of its 2026 season. The Center for Piyut and Poetry in Ashdod launched the season on the recent Saturday night with a festive concert at the Monart Cultural Center in the city. Throughout the winter months, "Shirat Ha'בקשות" gatherings will take place across the country, culminating on Shabbat Zachor with a closing concert at the Ashdod Performing Arts Center.
"Shirat Ha'בקשות" is a central musical tradition of Moroccan and North African Jewry, incorporating Andalusian melodies and piyutim, and has become a significant part of Jewish liturgical poetry. The tradition continues to evolve with a new generation of piyutim singers and enthusiasts joining the circles. The opening concert featured piyutim singers and musicians Menor Ben David, Shlomi Lugasi, Yaakov Ben Adiba, Yonatan Chuta, and Raz Elbaz, under the musical direction of Maestro Elad Levi. The program included traditional Moroccan "Shirat Ha'בקשות" repertoire, presented with orchestral arrangements that blended the piyut tradition with symphonic performances.
Mordechai Azran, the artistic director of the season, described "Shirat Ha'בקשות" as more than just an ancient musical tradition, but the "beating soul" of Moroccan Jewish heritage, a rare spiritual and musical treasure connecting piyut, faith, and song. He emphasized the importance of passing this tradition to the younger generation, noting the joy in seeing young people join veteran piyutim singers. Tali Saharony, chairwoman of the Center for Andalusian Culture and Piyut in Israel, echoed this sentiment, stressing the mission to preserve, revive, and introduce the tradition to new audiences and future generations.
Yisrael Ohayon, CEO of the Center for Piyut and Poetry, expressed excitement for the new season, highlighting how the tradition has connected generations, communities, and voices for centuries. The Center, founded in 1988, aims to preserve and transmit Sephardic Jewish piyut heritage and Andalusian culture in Israel through various activities including piyut studies, cantorial and musical instruction, children's and youth programs, seminars, and concerts. The season will conclude with a grand concert in Ashdod featuring piyutim singers Moshe Louk, Benjamin Bouzaglo, Meni Cohen, and Gabriel Ochiayon, accompanied by an ensemble of musicians.
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