MUSIC

Circle songs — or שירי מעגלים (shee-rehy mah-ah-gah-leem) in Hebrew — have become a growing musical movement in Israel. Sung in literal circles, these songs create a shared space of connection, reflecting a deep longing for unity, authenticity, and healing. They feel deeply Israeli, blending ancient spiritual roots with a modern, soul-searching spirit.

In a time of division and uncertainty, these gatherings offer something rare: a sense of belonging, inner strength, and collective purpose. Rooted in ancient traditions of communal singing and spiritual expression, the movement has gained momentum since the early 2000s, especially in festivals, nature gatherings, and grassroots communities.

When people sit in a circle and sing, something powerful happens — voices blend, and the boundaries between performer and listener dissolve. The music is often simple, repetitive, and intentional, allowing everyone, regardless of their musical background, to participate. In Israeli society, which is full of both beauty and tension, circle songs offer a different kind of narrative: one of hope. They build bridges between communities, generations, and cultures, reminding us of our shared humanity. As this movement continues to grow, it’s becoming not just a musical trend, but a healing social force.

Some of the Voices and Songs Behind the Movement

Sheva – “Salam” (Yavo Shalom Aleinu)

One of the most iconic and beloved circle songs in Israel is “Yavo Shalom Aleinu” (“Peace Will Come Upon Us”) by the band Sheva (שבע). Also known as “Salam,” this song is sung in circles, festivals, and spiritual gatherings across Israel and beyond. With its simple message and uplifting rhythm, it invites people to sing, dance, and believe in peace — together.

Sheva was one of the first bands to blend Hebrew lyrics with tribal and folk influences, laying the foundations for what is now called Hebrew world music. Their songs are more than melodies; they are mantras for healing, connection, and awakening.

🎧 Watch them perform live here:

Yael Deckelbaum – “Prayer of the Mothers”

Yael Deckelbaum is a central voice in sacred Hebrew music and women’s circle singing in Israel. Known for combining activism and ceremony, her powerful project “Shirat Ha’Imahot” (“Prayer of the Mothers”) became a cross-cultural anthem for peace and unity, featuring both Hebrew and Arabic lyrics.

The music video — filmed in the desert — shows Jewish and Arab women marching and singing together, symbolizing reconciliation and shared strength. Created in collaboration with the Women Wage Peace movement, this song has reached a global audience. Drawing from biblical texts and intuitive melodies, Deckelbaum’s work reclaims the ancient feminine voice in Jewish tradition and channels it toward healing through connection.

🎧 Watch her sing in the desert here:

Shye Ben Tzur – “Hineh Ani Kuli Shelcha” (Here I Am, Entirely Yours)

This meditative, mantra-like song became one of the most sung pieces in Israeli circle gatherings over the last two decades. “Hineh Ani Kuli Shelcha” blends heartfelt lyrics with a melody of spiritual surrender and connection.

Shye Ben Tzur is known for merging Hebrew poetry with Indian Sufi musical traditions, creating a unique language that bridges East and West, devotion and art. The song’s gentle repetition and sincerity have made it a favorite in healing spaces, festivals, and spiritual circles alike.

🎧 Watch him perform in a Tel Aviv circle here:

Shotei HaNevuah (The Fools of Prophecy) – “Kol Galgal” (The Sound of the Wheel)

Pioneers of Israel’s spiritual-fusion scene, Shotei HaNevuah blended reggae, ethnic rhythms, and mystical Hebrew lyrics. “Kol Galgal” (based on a verse from Sefer Yetzirah, a Kabbalistic text on sound and creation) became a spiritual anthem for seekers and dreamers.

Its meditative beat and philosophical depth found a home in Israel’s conscious music culture. At its core is Avraham Tal’s unforgettable voice — raw, emotional, and resonant — which continues to breathe life into this song today.

🎧 Watch Avraham Tal perform it live here:

Orka – “Shar Libi” (My Heart Sings)

Orka is a beloved Israeli singer-songwriter whose voice feels both intimate and transcendent. Deeply connected to women’s circles and spiritual gatherings, her song “Shar Libi” (“My Heart Sings”) is a poetic expression of inner truth.

Blending traditional Hebrew with contemporary melodies, the lyrics speak of the heart as a vessel for ancient songs, memories, and light. Its flowing rhythm and emotional honesty make it a favorite in meditative and communal settings, where it often becomes a soft, shared chant.

🎧 Listen to her live here:

 Why the Circle Heals

There is something profoundly human about singing in a circle. The circle, one of humanity’s oldest symbols, holds no hierarchy. No beginning, no end. Everyone is seen. Everyone is heard.

In that space, it’s safe to be vulnerable. The repetitive melodies and gentle lyrics help quiet the mind, regulate the nervous system, and open the heart. Singing in a group synchronizes breath and heartbeat, releasing tension and building trust. It creates a field — of presence, softness, and shared emotion.

In a fractured world, the circle reminds us of our wholeness. And that reminder, in itself, is healing.

🎶 Tune in to our specially curated playlist of circle songs — featuring Hebrew tracks by Israeli artists who are reshaping what communal music can be.