Culture — Israel news in English
The latest culture from across Israeli media, translated and compared. 48 recent stories.
Weekly Torah Lesson Says Persistence Can Be Holy, but Not Always
Rabbi Yoav Akrish’s weekly lesson on Parashat Balak uses Moses’ 515 unanswered prayers to explore the meaning of persistence. The piece says faith can require continued effort, bu…
David Clayton-Thomas, Blood, Sweat & Tears frontman, dies at 84
David Clayton-Thomas, the iconic lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, has died at 84 in Toronto. His spokesman said he died peacefully in hospital, and no cause of death was relea…
30 Years of 'Wannabe': How the Spice Girls Took Over the World
On June 26, 1996, the Spice Girls released "Wannabe," launching a global pop phenomenon. The song hit number one in 22 countries, sold millions, and became an enduring symbol of "…
Tshchnov Yeshiva Honors Students Who Completed Tractate Pesachim
Tchchnov Yeshiva held a ceremony for dozens of students who completed tractate Pesachim, alongside a sheva berachot for the yeshiva head's son. Senior rabbis and rebbes attended…
Harry Styles Stops Wembley Show After Fan’s Foot Pic Sign
Harry Styles paused a Wembley Stadium concert in London after a fan’s sign distracted him during the sixth of 12 shows. He jokingly asked whether she had sold foot pictures to aff…
Quiz answers reveal the song that mentions Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 5-0 loss
A Hebrew quiz page revealed the answer to a question about the song that mentions Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 5-0 loss to Maccabi Haifa. The song was identified as Mashina’s "Lehitraot Neu…
A Shabbat Orange and Almond Cake on 'Talim Shel Shabbat'
Former politician and educator Dr. Aliza Bloch will join chef Avi Levy on "Tavim Shel Shabbat." They will make a dairy-free orange and almond cake for Friday night, with an orange…
Moroccan-Style Chicken and Caramelized Onion Pasta on “Taste of Shabbat”
Avi Levy and Dr. Aliza Bloch will make a Moroccan-style chicken thigh and caramelized onion interia dish on Friday’s “Taste of Shabbat.” The recipe cooks in one pot, uses basic sp…
Asaf Hertz and His Wife Welcome a Baby Boy and Reveal His Name
Actor Asaf Hertz and his wife Hadar have become parents for the first time and named their son Yosef. Hadar explained the name’s spiritual meaning in an Instagram post, while the…
Mendi Goldberg and Shimi Schechter Release a Moving Prayer Duet After Family Loss
Moishi Moskovitz has released "Ich Shrei Tzu Dir," a prayer-like duet by Mendi Goldberg and Shimi Schechter. The song was written two years ago during family grief and is dedicate…
Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Sends IMAX Demand Into Overdrive and Highlights Hollywood’s Split Market
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has created extraordinary demand for IMAX screenings, with tickets resold for up to 10 times face value. The article says the frenzy exposes both…
A New Italian Trattoria in the Sharon Wins High Praise
Chef Motti Super has opened Lento, a new Italian-Mediterranean trattoria in Hutzot Shfayim with Gilad Yarkoni. The reviewer calls it the best Italian trattoria in Israel, praising…
Netflix’s 'The Witness' Reexamines the Rachel Nickell Murder Through the Victims’ Eyes
Netflix’s "The Witness" is a three-part June 2026 miniseries about the 1992 murder of Rachel Nickell in London. It centers on her son Alex and partner Andre, the police missteps t…
Fresh Color 2026 Showcases a Crowded, Colorful Cross Section of Israeli Art
Fresh Paint 2026 opened in Tel Aviv and runs through June 29, featuring Israeli art, design, and a large emerging-artists incubator. The fair includes new prizes, works by establi…
Stenzlitz Talmud Completed in French at Israeli Presidential Ceremony
Israel marked the completion of the French translation of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s Babylonian Talmud commentary at a ceremony at President Isaac Herzog’s residence. Rabbi Meni Even…
Wedding-favorite 'Od Yishma' gets its official studio release
Ephraim Peleg has officially released his wedding staple "Od Yishma" after four years of live performances. The decision came after his own recent wedding, which inspired him to p…
Leiby Deitsch releases a new prayer song for the Three Weeks
Leiby Deitsch released “Biz Vi Lang” for Bein HaMetzarim, a new song based on King David’s words. The single, composed by Avremi Schif, mixes Hebrew and Yiddish to express longing…
Live Boutique Performance of 'Le'olam Yehi Adam' Turned into Official Music Video
Meir Goldstein and Chaim Polak released a new version of Dudi Kalish’s “Le'olam Yehi Adam” as part of Goldstein’s “Inspirations” cover project. Recorded live at a boutique event…
Thousands of Followers Prepare for Rabbi of Toldos Yehuda Stutchin’s Annual Israel Visit
Thousands of followers in Israel are preparing for the annual visit of the Toldos Yehuda Stutchin rabbi, who is based in Borough Park. He is expected to arrive in the coming days…
Lionel Richie Cuts Short Tour Opener After Feeling Ill onstage
Lionel Richie stopped his North American tour opener in St. Paul after feeling dizzy onstage and leaving the concert early. The 77-year-old had been performing with Earth, Wind &…
New Bar Pronto blends legacy with a modern Italian menu in Tel Aviv
Bar Pronto has reopened at Herzl 4 in Tel Aviv under chef Moshiko Gamlieli as a modern Italian-style bar and trattoria. The menu was developed over six months and now features 20…
Pressed Into Dating, a Seminar Student Finds an Unexpected Match
Mimi, a 22-year-old seminary student, reluctantly entered the dating process after nearly two years of family and social pressure. On a hotel date, she discovered that Moti was un…
Parents Urged to Set Clear Boundaries Using the 'Traffic Light' Method
Rabbi Asaf Ratzon and Rabbi Moshe Rabi present the “traffic light” method for parenting in the third episode of “Talking About Education.” They say children need clear limits, but…
Rabbi Yigal Cohen Shares a Weekly Torah Insight on Parashat Balak
Rabbi Yigal Cohen delivered a short weekly Torah teaching on Parashat Balak for Kikar HaShabbat viewers. The article presents it as a brief inspirational clip, filmed by Shimon Ba…
Rabbi Israel Rider Explains Choice, Providence Through Balak and Rabbi Moshe Aaron Stern
Rabbi Israel Rider’s Parashat Balak teaching says Balaam’s story shows that God guides people according to their chosen path. He illustrates the idea with Rabbi Moshe Aaron Stern’…
Rabbi Yaakov Glויבerman: Fear Versus Leadership in the Balaam Story
Rabbi Yaakov Gloiberman’s weekly Torah message on Parashat Balak contrasts Balak’s fear-based reaction to Israel with Moses’ ability to strengthen the people. He also distinguishe…
Torah and Faith Yeshiva Holds Inspiring Gathering and Double Celebration
The Torah and Faith yeshiva in Belz hosted a large evening of inspiration and a sheva brachot for the son of its director. Leading rabbis and Belz figures delivered speeches, and…
Tal Titu says she faced negativity inside the Big Brother house
Tal Titu appeared on "Reality Check" and spoke about her "Big Brother" experience, including hostile chants and insults she heard from outside the house. She also discussed Eliran…
New Hasidic Sabbath Melody Inspired at Radomsk Gravesite
Yechiel Lichtiger released a new Sabbath tune, “Rerbavin,” set to “Yah Ribon Olam Ve’almaya.” He says he composed it at his ancestor’s gravesite in Radomsk, Poland, where he felt…
May Hatuel Says She Is Not Ready for Children After 'The Amazing Race' Fame
May Hatuel says the fame from "The Amazing Race" brought work opportunities, online abuse, and tension at home. In a podcast interview, she defended her close friendship with Itai…
Rabbi Yaakov Sinai examines whether women may eat before Saturday morning kiddush
Rabbi Yaakov Sinai’s daily halakhic segment examines whether a woman may eat before Saturday morning kiddush. The discussion also considers whether the answer differs between a wo…
Bar Tzabary Reveals His Late Partner's Final Push to Audition
Bar Tzabary said his late partner, Or Chaya Shitrit, urged him from her hospital bed to audition for the TV show that changed his life. After her death from cancer, he performed a…
Zviki Hadar on Aging, Comedy, and Staying Relevant
Zviki Hadar reflected on his 60-year life and career, from early odd jobs and satire to his role in the successful film "Kupa Reshita." He discussed aging, his Beersheba identity…
Behind the scenes of the Neta and Avichayr blowup on Married at First Sight
On Thursday’s episode of “Married at First Sight,” the show’s psychologists unpack Neta and Avichayr’s tense shopping-trip argument. Psychologist Gilad Meiri says Neta’s reaction…
Israeli singer Israel A. and rapper Elyator debut hopeful new collaboration
Israel A. and Elyator have released their first joint single, "From Within the Tears He Calls to You." The song blends their styles and carries a message of faith and hope in diff…
Yes Opens Fauda’s October 7 Episodes to the Public for Free
Yes has opened the fifth-season Fauda episodes about October 7 for free public viewing on its website. The company said the move reflects their public importance, while viewers de…
Thousands Attend Unity Celebration for Rabbi Shalom Ifergan in Netivot
Thousands attended the main memorial event for Rabbi Shalom Ifergan, known as Baba Shalom, on Wednesday night, led by his grandson, Rabbi Netanel Shiriki. The ceremony in Israel d…
Sale-Season Picks: Seven Fashion and Beauty Finds Worth Noting
The article rounds up seven fashion, beauty, and fragrance products now in sale or newly launched, with prices and purchase locations. Items include H&M, Grecian Sandals, Maybelli…
Balaam, Moses, and the Meaning of God’s Name
A Torah essay on Parashat Balak says Balaam’s prophecy rose from Elohim to Hashem, revealing the secret of Israel’s election. It links that shift to the Exodus and to Israel’s rol…
French Talmud edition marks historic turnaround at Jerusalem ceremony
A new French-language Talmud edition, based on Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s commentary, has been completed and unveiled in Jerusalem. Backed by the Patrick and Lina Drahi Foundation, i…
17 Years After His Death: Ten Surprising Facts About Michael Jackson
Seventeen years after Michael Jackson’s death, the article revisits 10 surprising facts about the pop icon’s career, inventions, philanthropy, and controversies. It also recalls t…
E-Z's old prediction about Odes Azoulay proves true
A 2017 cover video resurfaced showing E-Z predicting that Odes Azoulay would become a star. Azoulay later broke through with “Or,” and she and E-Z recently released the successful…
Podcast Teases Debate Over Shin Bet Chief and Pride Month Events
This article is not a news report but a promotional post for episode 18 of the satire podcast "Only Fun." It highlights a discussion about Shin Bet chief David Zini and a question…
Lemon and Olive Fish Meatballs for a Fresh Shabbat Meal
This Shabbat recipe makes fish meatballs in lemon sauce with green olives. The dish is cooked in a covered pot for about 40 minutes total, using ground fish, garlic, lemon, herbs…
A Graduation Address That Redefined What Education Means
At Yeshi High School’s 12th-grade graduation in Hadera, class teacher Telam Hazan, a retired brigadier general, moved the audience to tears with an emotional speech. The article u…
Iraqi Cheese Sambusak Recipe Celebrates a Beloved Ashkenazi-Free Tradition
The article showcases sambusak b'jiben, a baked Iraqi-Jewish pastry filled with Iraqi cheese, and calls it a beloved, nostalgic dish. It also provides a full recipe, including dou…
Pun-filled summer wordplay for parents and soccer fans
This humorous Hebrew column offers summer wordplay and puns for parents and families. It also invites readers to submit their own jokes by email, then closes with a World Cup pun…
Rabbi Elimelech Biderman says setbacks may be divine rescue
Rabbi Elimelech Biderman said that what looks like obstruction in life may actually be an angel of God sent to protect a person. The short inspirational clip was published by Kika…