Our artists spoke to the Australian Jewish News about what it means to join SHIR this year.

Festival Director Ben Adler spoke to JWire to talk about SHIR's 2026 concert, UNBREAKABLE, what it means for him, and for community and social cohesion.

Hindu Indian vocalist spoke to The Indian Sun about what it means to join SHIR's flagship concert UNBREAKABLE this year. 

Exclusive (full) interview with Israeli former hostage Daniella Gilboa who spoke at length about her experience, about music and about hope. 

Interview with Daniella Gilboa (Israel) by Jessica Abelsohn ‘A voice that won’t break’

Light shines through‘I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life’

Interview with Ben Adler by Vic Alhadeff in The Jewish Independent. ‘The battle for the future of Jews will be fought in the cultural arena’

BLOGS: The Night The President Came to Town by Daniel Hochberg.
 

Australia Day Live Ignites Sydney Harbour in a Night of Iconic Music, Unity, and Collective Joy

‘Unifying’ – Shir director opens up on history-making performance

SHIR makes Australia Day history

Hebrew performed at the Australia Day Live concert for the first time in Australia's history.
 

By Carly Adno

For the first time in Australia’s history, a Jewish musical group performed in Hebrew at the Australia Day Live concert in Sydney Opera House.

ByMATHILDA HELLER

Menorah to light up Sydney Harbour Bridge on New Year's Eve after open letter from Jewish creatives

By Miriah Davis and Ruby Ritchie

Clover Moore changes Bondi NYE tribute after Jewish creative leaders slam ‘insulting’ plan... More than 30 leading Jewish cultural figures have accused Sydney’s lord mayor of erasing Jewish identity.

A Tapestry of Voices and Vision

The program’s architecture was exquisite... Legacy, Lament, and Light.

By Simone Waddell

Shir is an act of solidarity, strength, defiance and chutzpah on a scale that no one knew was possible - until it was.

By Ben Adler

Landmark Jewish music event ‘Songs of Strength’ set to unite community.

By Rob Klein

Following a sold-out run last year, SHIR returns with Songs of Strength – a program celebrating the diversity of Jewish music and identity.

Ruby Kraner-Tucci

Ben Adler and Deborah Conway  share what it means to be Jewish artists post Oct 7, from cancelled shows to the courage of creating anyway on Ashamed to Admit, The Jewish Independent

SHIR returns to Sydney and Melbourne, bringing Jewish artists together for a night of unity, inspiration and joyous celebration through music.

By Jessica Abelsohn

Community Heartbeat liftout: Beating Heart of Jewish Music returns to Sydney by AJN

An ongoing commitment to cultivating and supporting Jewish creatives. 

by Rabbi Alon Meltzer and Anna Stern

"Since 7th October, we have found ourselves relying heavily on music to navigate our emotions through the darkness."

By Sharyn Kolieb

'At a difficult time, ‘Shir – Songs of Hope’ unites Sydney in music... marking the inaugural Australian Jewish Music Festival." by Rob Klein 

Affirming Life. "As I left the hall, I felt a sense of belonging. The evening achieved its stated goal: to unite, inspire and uplift."
by Ori Golan

Comfort: the Jewish music that helps us heal. “Inherently, Jews and music have a big overlap – we’re a musical culture,” Adler told TJI. By Rubi Kraner-Tucci

The power wrought by song'the biggest evening of Jewish music Sydney has seen' Uniting in strength through song. By Jessica Abelsohn