Music

Jerusalem highlights: May 29-June 4

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

My Life with Arthur Szyk  (see Tuesday).
The annual Mateh Yehuda Wine Festival returns for its 28th year

Israel’s Wine Festival begins next week

Tom Cohen conducts the youth program of The Jerusalem Orchestra East & West in Tel Aviv, May 2026.

Arab-Jewish youth orchestra builds a unifying ‘East-West’ sound together

A new study has found that playing a musical instrument is linked to improvement in memory and thinking skills

The simple hobby that may keep the brain sharp even in old age


The lost Leonard Cohen concerts in Israel may finally see the light of day

A court ruling could clear the way for the release of Leonard Cohen’s long-hidden Israel concerts and archives.

Cohen performs in Ramat Gan, 2009.

Spotify declines to take down rap song cited for antisemitic conspiracy claims

Spotify rejected a request by the International Legal Forum to remove Chris Webby’s song Raw Thoughts VII, which the ILF said contained antisemitic tropes.

 Spotify

Mysticism meets melody in Eduard Shyfrin’s ‘Red Blues’

Drawing on Kabbalistic ideas, Shyfrin’s newest single turns spiritual reflection into music.

Red Blues Single

Noam Bettan meets with President Isaac Herzog after winning second place at Eurovision

Bettan had won second place at Eurovision, despite demonstrations against Israel, boos, and pro-Palestinian placard and flag bearers, thus bringing pride and glory to Israel and a huge career boost.

Noam Bettan with Israeli President Isaac Herzog

Louder than noise: Noam Bettan let music, not politics, define his performance - editorial

Israelis can take pride in Bettan, who represented the country with professionalism and restraint, blocking out all the outside noise to deliver a stellar performance.

Israeli singer Noam Bettan, who represented Israel at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna and finished in second place, is seen after arriving at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, May 17, 2026.

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.

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

Berry Sakharof, Ishay Ribo and more return for the sixth season of Kav Rakia, featuring a new culinary experience by Moshik Roth and special benefits for American Express customers.

Kav Rakia.

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

The winning song was "Bangaranga" by DARA from Bulgaria, and "Choke Me" by Alexandra Căpitănescu came in third place.

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.

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

What’s missing is the confidence to believe that an actual British song, written by actual British people, performed by an actual British artist, could win Eurovision.

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.

From Wagner to Eurovision: The debate over Jews in music - opinion

A number of European countries have objected to Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

Noam Bettan will represent Israel at Eurovision 2026.