Jewish/Israeli

The category of Jewish/Israeli music refers to those styles which either specifically relate to Jewish religious traditions or originate in contemporary Israel. Israeli culture both religious and secular has fused the diverse traditions of the Jewish Diaspora with newer forms of popular music such as rock, Worldbeat, and electronica. Ofra Haza melds traditional Yemenite melodies with European dance beats, Chava Alberstein weds traditional Yiddish music to Worldbeat, and popular rock'n'roll band Mashina play Middle Eastern-tinged Post-Punk with original lyrics in Hebrew. Meanwhile, American Judaism has produced its own renderings of liturgical melodies, from Debbie Friedman's Folk Revival chutzpah to Craig Taubman's polished pop finesse.