Hatikvah

Modern Israel

How “Hatikvah” (The Hope) Became Israel’s National Anthem

The surprising history of one of modern Judaism's most important songs.

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Hatikvah, the National Anthem of Israel

Hatikvah, literally "the hope," is Israel's national anthem. Its lyrics were written in 1886 by Naphtali Herz Imber, a poet originally from Galicia. The melody was written by Samuel Cohen, who based the melody on a musical theme from Bedrich Smetana’s "Mo

Jerusalem, Israel- April 14, 2007: Young people gathering with flags of Israel at Jaffa Street in the center of Jerusalem to celebrate Israel's Independence Day.

Yom Haatzmaut

Yom Ha’atzmaut: Israel Independence Day

The celebration of Israeli independence is marked each year on the fifth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar.