Jessica Steinberg covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center.
Members of the band Yamma, including singer Talya G.A Solan (center), Yonnie Dror, Aviv Bahar, Nur Bar Goren, and Avri Borochov. Solan has found new audiences for music based on ancient Hebrew texts through YouTube (Ruth Luar)
You’d be surprised how many YouTube followers thirst for oud music and ancient Hebrew texts translated into English.
Thousands, maybe even millions, according to Talya G. A Solan, a musician who specializes in songs based on ancient Hebrew texts, often accompanied by the pear-shaped stringed instrument.
The Times of Israel Podcast presents the Best of 2020. (Images courtesy/ iStock photo)
A year ago when we decided to reboot the weekly Times of Israel podcast, I jumped at the chance to pick up the mic and create an audio magazine to supplement my colleagues’ fine writing.
Most of our 2020 Times of Israel podcast playlist is a mix of nerdy Jewish and archaeology stuff, in-house staff chats, conversations with experts in a wide swath of fields, and fun, tuneful talks with musicians.
But some interviewees are closer to my heart: I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with friends about fun flicks with our New York-based film critic Jordan Hoffman, and about deep, nation-building concepts with Israeli philosopher Micah Goodman. Innumerable times I’ve spoken with my longtime colleague Haviv Rettig Gur, who has never failed to be an informative pinch-hitter on almost any subject (did anyone say budget?).