In some ways, it feels like business as usual. More rockets, raining down all over Israel. Whatever. Unfortunately, it often doesn’t even phase us anymore.

But this time, it felt different.

Maybe it was the photos my family sent of themselves, sitting in their mamad (safe room) in the central Israeli city of Modiin. My nieces and nephews are sleeping there tonight, just in case.

Perhaps it was my sister’s eyewitness account (from her car) of the Iron Dome intercepting a rocket over Modiin’s main shopping district, Yishpro Center.

Maybe it was the video of the bus stopping at a red light, mere meters away from a rocket landing in the middle of busy Route 4.

Or maybe it’s the fact that my son, my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, and cousins all suddenly find themselves in harm’s way…miles away from Gaza.

Whatever the reason, Israelis – and their family and friends around the world – are on edge today. It’s one of those days we desperately want to be there…desperately want to help…desperately want to feel close. But how?

Well, I could talk about how easy it is to watch Israeli TV outside of Israel nowadays. Or talk about how much smaller the world has become due to WhatsApp, FaceTime, or other tech that brings us closer to our loved ones abroad. But I’ll bet that’s not why you’re here.

You’re here to connect to Israel through music. And yes, we can help.

Israeli music resources for difficult days in Israel

First of all, allow me to suggest a recent episode of our podcast, Israel Hour Radio. Originally broadcast on Tisha B’av 2019, we played an hour of optimistic songs, requested by listeners. You’ll find several songs that’ll make you feel closer to Israel on an intense day like this.

Among others, songs like “Yihiyeh Tov” by David Broza, “HaMilchama HaAchrona” by Yehoram Gaon, and “Hinei Ba HaShalom” by Ilanit are just begging to be heard on a day like today. Listen below.

Our top 5 Israeli songs to connect you to Israel…when you need it most

Looking for something a little more, uh, aggressive? Released during 2014’s Operation Protective Edge, Sarit Hadad’s “Yachad Nenatzeach” is a call for unity (and victory!) during difficult times. As long as we can remain at peace among ourselves, Sarit argues, there’s nothing our nation can’t accomplish.

Also by Sarit, “Baruch Haba L’yisrael” – a fantastic song of national pride. My favorite line? “Those who love us will get love [in return]; those who hate us can go to hell.”

Dreaming of peace? So have many, many Israeli artists throughout the country’s history. One classic: Uzi Hitman’s “Elohim Sheli”: a wonderful dream of peace and co-existence. “But when I woke up…there was no peace…”

And of course, if you need a good shot in the arm of patriotism, there’s always our newest Israeli “classic”, released this past spring. Yes, I know you’ve heard it 15,000 times since then…but if you pay attention to the lyrics, you will immediately feel at one with our homeland.

Finally, if all else fails, find your nearest Israeli flag (or even use the one at the top of this post), stand up and sing along with the words of our National Anthem. Can anyone perform it better than Shiri Maimon?

But now it’s your turn. What song transports you to Israel during hard times? How do you cope with a difficult day like today? How do you feel connected to family and friends in Israel, when you find yourself 5,000 miles away? Comment below and let us know!