The Girl in Braids

From the Nahal Band to solo stardom, singer Yardena Arazi defined Israeli pop culture. She commanded stages, hosted Eurovision, and became an all-Israeli icon, still very much active today. Now she is coming to Beit Avi Chai to sit down with podcast creator Maya Kosover for a performance and heartfelt conversation about her early years, her life and work.

Born Yardena Finebaum in 1951 at Kibbutz Kabri in the Western Galilee, she moved with her family to Haifa when she was a toddler. It was in Haifa where she grew up, and this port city would shape the identity of the barefoot girl with black braids who became the embodiment of Israeli culture itself.

Arazi’s rise began in the legendary Lehakat HaNahal – the Nahal Entertainment Troupe – the most beloved military ensemble Israel had ever seen, which Arazi was in at its absolute peak in the early seventies. Alongside future stars like Gidi Gov, Danny Sanderson, and Miri Aloni, Arazi captivated audiences with her voice and all-Israeli beauty. Musical director Yair Rosenblum (1944-1996) knew exactly what he had on his hands, showcasing her talent perfectly.

The 1970s brought disco styles and platform shoes with Shokolad Menta Mastik (meaning “chocolate, mint, gum”), a female trio she was a part of, which blended pop with traditional Eretz Israel songs. They represented Israel at Eurovision 1976 with Emor Shalom, and Arazi herself co-hosted Eurovision 1979 when Israel held the contest for the first time.

But the 1980s belonged to Yardena. Her 1982 solo debut launched a golden decade of nearly annual albums and endless hits. Mastering pop, folk, and Zemer Ivri (Hebrew song), she created a sound that was distinctly Israeli. She was crowned Singer of the Year five times and earned the title “Singer of the Decade” for the eighties. The era also sparked her delicious rivalry with Ofra Haza, with young fans passionately choosing sides between Israel’s two pop princesses of the time.

The crowning moment came in 1988 when a comprehensive Kol Israel poll named Arazi the most popular singer in Israel for the state’s 40th anniversary. That same year, she returned to Eurovision as a solo artist with the song Ben Adam.

Beyond music, Arazi built a successful television career as a host and collected honors including the Kinor David Prize and ACUM Lifetime Achievement Award. Haifa, her childhood city, even named a street after her during her lifetime.

Yardena Arazi is quintessentially all-Israeli – from kibbutz roots to national treasure, she never lost that authentic spirit.

For more, see “A Song of Longing” with Yardena Arazi, taking place at Beit Avi Chai on February 18, 2026.

Main Photo: Yardena Arazi by Ofer duke\ Wikipedia