Dr. Emily AronoffCelebrate Israel’s Birthday with Music, Movement, and Joy
Every year, Jewish people around the world celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s birthday!
In Hebrew, Yom HaAtzmaut (pronounced “yohm ha-ahtz-mah-OOT”) means “Day of Independence.” While that’s a big word for little learners, I like to explain it simply:
“Israel has been a special place for Jewish people for thousands of years, but only recently became its own country. We’re celebrating Israel’s Independence, that means that Israel is the boss of Israel, not some other person or place”
In my classrooms and community gatherings, we treat this day like a birthday party full of music, movement, and celebration. Special foods, songs, and stories can highlight the beautiful diversity that is Israel. This collection is designed to help young children and their grown-ups build joyful connections to Israel and Yom HaAtzmaut celebration through music and movement.
A Note for Educators and Caregivers
Teaching about Israel is complex, especially in today’s climate. That complexity shouldn’t stop us from engaging children with joy, honesty, and care.
My goal in sharing these songs with kiddos is connection before comprehension. I want the earliest association with Israel to be joy and Jewish connection. Not facts. Not arguments. Not lessons about geography or history. Those come later, and they matter. But the foundation has to be something felt: warmth, familiarity, belonging.
Plan your language ahead of time, and don’t hesitate to seek a thought partner.
If a child raises a difficult question, it’s okay to redirect with respect and validation. For example:
“You’ve heard that Israel is having a terrible time with some of its neighbors. That’s an excellent question to ask your grown-ups at home. During music time, we’re focusing on…”
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Am Yisrael Chai! New Album
Several of the songs on this list are from my album Am Yisrael Chai: Israel Songs for Kiddos, a collection of 12 songs designed for the youngest Jewish learners and the educators and families who sing with them. I also created a free songleader guide that walks through every song in the collection: why it exists, what it is doing developmentally, and how I use it in practice. Most entries include Hebrew vocabulary with transliteration, movement activities, prop suggestions, and age-specific notes for infants through preschoolers. It is how I prepare, and I am sharing it so it can support the way you prepare too.
1. Yom Huledet Sameach (Happy Birthday)
Start with the familiar to explore complex topics. We start our celebration the same way we celebrate a child’s birthday, by singing “Happy Birthday to You” with “dear Israel.” Then we add the Hebrew version “Yom Huledet Sameach” in Hebrew (as is so often shared in Jewish settings on a child’s bday).
Vocabulary Boost:
- Yom = Day (as in Yom Kippur)
- Huledet = Birth
- Sameach = Happy (as in Chag Sameach)
This is a wonderful opportunity to help children hear and repeat simple Hebrew vocabulary, while reinforcing the feeling that Israel’s birthday is a simcha we get to celebrate together
2. Israel’s Color Scarf Song (Original by Dr. Emily)
A playful, sensory-rich song to reinforce Israel’s flag colors using scarves.
Lyrics: Lavan is white and kachol is blue, Israel’s colors in Hebrew (x2) Let’s wave them up, then toss them high— Am Yisrael Chai! (x2)
This song gives children a chance to engage visually and kinesthetically with Israel’s symbols. I hold up each scarf and pause to let children fill in the Hebrew color. Some toddlers play peekaboo while others joyfully toss their scarf in the air at chai—it’s all developmentally appropriate and joyfully connecting.
3. Am Yisrael Chai – Traditional
This classic melody means “The people of Israel are alive!” It’s joyful, powerful, and deeply rooted in our people’s story.
I encourage educators to use the tune that is most familiar in their community and connect it to resilience and presence. If you are in a synagogue setting, check with the clergy to see if they have a favorite!
4. Big Trip to Israel on Yom Ha'Atzmaut
This is a pretend play game that is also a bouncy lap song that takes children on an imaginary trip to Israel. It is designed for the youngest learners, babies and toddlers on a caregiver’s lap, where the movement IS the learning.
Lap songs are powerful for connection and regulation. Children face their caregiver, move to rhythm, and experience predictable joy. The repetitive structure and bouncing pattern make this song accessible to every age, and the place names introduce Israel as somewhere real and warm.
5. Rooty Toot Yom HaAtzmaut – Ellen Allard
This silly cumulative movement song helps kids practice the tricky Hebrew words Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) and builds sequencing skills.
I start by having the kids echo me as we add each move, then speed it up at the end for a chaotic, giggly finale.
This supports working memory, sequencing, and joyful engagement. Real learning happens in real laughter.
6. Zum Gali Gali
This Israeli folks song is a staple in many Jewish early learning environments, and I like to carry it into Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations to demonstrate to the community that they already know and love Israeli music. Here are two VERY different covers, I love them both!
7. Traveling Along to Yisrael – Ellen Allard
I lead children as we walk in a circle for the chorus, then pause to see an image of each Israeli location mentioned—Masada, the shuk, the Dead Sea, and more.
We “travel” through Israel with our bodies and imaginations, and the printed visuals help children begin to associate names with places.
Resource: Printable Canva Prop Set
8. Tamid Ohev Oti (DJ Raphi Dance Along)
Originally released in June 2024, “Tamid Ohev Oti” (“Always Loves Me”) was written and composed by Israeli artist Yair Elitzur, with lyrics inspired by Rabbi Shalom Arush’s teachings. The song expresses a deep, unwavering faith in God’s constant love and support, even amidst personal struggles and national challenges.
This message resonated deeply with many, especially in the wake of the October 7 attacks, becoming an anthem of hope and resilience across Israel. The song’s popularity led to numerous covers by various artists, each bringing their unique style and interpretation.
My favorite is DJ Raphi’s Dance-Along, I tell the kids that they are going to do their best job being copycats, and then we move to the music, mimicking his moves. Delightful shrieks of recognition from all of the kids with Israeli family members is a plus.
Tamid Ohev Oti reminds us that Jewish music can carry both grief and joy, that even songs born in heartbreak can become sources of hope and healing.
9. The Hope – Rick Recht
Rick Recht’s song “The Hope” is a powerful anthem that intertwines Jewish history, resilience, and the enduring dream of a homeland. Ideal for Pre-K and up, this powerful echo song builds participation and reflection.
I typically omit the bridge with younger kids.
10. HaTikvah – Israel’s National Anthem
I teach kiddos that each country has a special song called an anthem, and I often belt a few bars of the Star Spangled Banner as an example, often sparking connections like “I heard that at my brother’s football game” or “that song was at the parade”!.
HaTikvah, meaning “The Hope,” was originally a poem written by Naftali Herz Imber in the 1880s. Its words captured the longing of the Jewish people to return to their homeland after centuries of diaspora. The melody was adapted from a European folk tune and became a rallying cry for Jewish resilience and return. It was later adopted as Israel’s national anthem.
The lyrics—”To be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem”—express a collective dream that spans generations.
When I introduce it to children, I talk about how people around the world know this song and sing it to show that they care about Israel and want Jewish people to have a safe, free place to live.
Rather than teach HaTikvah line by line, I expose learners to multiple beautiful renditions to celebrate its emotional and historical weight. Showing diverse versions allows children to see different expressions of pride, unity, and tradition—all anchored in a shared melody of hope.
If the children that can read and sing I always provide the lyrics and teach that we stand to show respect as we share this song (I don’t expect a 2 year old to learn that yet- if they are in a multi-age environment, it can certainly be modeled, but expecting toddlers to stand still and at attention is not developmentally appropriate).
Music as a Bridge to Connection
These 10 songs help young children connect to Israel with joy, movement, and meaning.
Whether you’re in a classroom, at Sunday School, or gathered at home, this playlist can bring Israel’s birthday to life through Jewish music and memory.
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