Chaim Israel

חיים ישראל

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The singer Chaim Yisrael, one of the pioneers and leading figures of Jewish music, absorbed melodies and traditional liturgical tunes from Yemenite piyutim from his father, who served as a synagogue cantor. He was raised on the foundations of Tripolitanian music from his grandfather’s home and was also influenced by Chassidic melodies in the environment in which he grew up. After completing his yeshiva studies and spending several years serving as a cantor himself, he decided to fulfill his childhood dream and become a singer. Chaim sees his music as a true mission - one intended to unite the different groups within Israeli society and bring them closer together. His songs deal with faith, everyday struggles, and Jewish unity, breaking down the barriers between the religious and secular worlds. His blend of East and West, sacred and contemporary, draws diverse audiences to his performances, including both religious and secular listeners from all backgrounds. Alongside his performances in Israel, the singer also regularly appears before Jewish communities around the world. Born in 1975 to Ovadia and Sarah, Chaim was the first artist to create original faith-based songs for the broader public that were not based on familiar or traditional folk melodies. At the age of 24, he released his debut album, Shaarei Ratzon. His major breakthrough came following the release of his second album, Mimaamakim, featuring the hit song “Yitgadal VeYitkadash” and the title-track duet with Yoav Yitzhak. Since then, Yisrael has performed duets with some of Israel’s leading singers, including Eyal Golan, Nati Levi, and Shlomi Shabat. He went on to release nine additional albums, including Bagan Shel Hachaim together with his brother, the singer Itzik Eshel; the double album Malachim, which included one of his biggest hits, the piyut “Lech E-li,” performed together with Yoav Yitzhak; Oked VeHane’ekad; the double album Ikvot Bachol; Yesh Lanu Al Mi Lismoch; Derech Chadasha - released after he went through a difficult personal period and accompanied by a major concert tour under the same name; Kesem Neurai; and the double album Sipur Chayai. In 2018, Yisrael released the album Yerushalayim in honor of the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, and its title track became one of the symbols of the celebrations. The songs on the album were created in collaboration with leading Israeli artists including Shlomi Shabat, Ishay Ribo, and Yishai Lapidot. In 2023, he released his latest album, Chibarti Manginot. The album includes hits such as “Al Tipol,” “Chibarti Manginot,” “Hashabbat Sheli,” and “Halev Yodea,” along with fascinating collaborations featuring prominent figures including Avraham Fried, Bentzi Stein, Ari Hill, and Yoav Yitzhak.