Yonatan Razel is an American-Israeli singer, writer, composer, musical arranger and conductor.

Biography

Yonatan Razel was born in New York and moved to Israel at a young age with his family. Razel is the brother of musicians Aaron Razel and Ricka Van Leeuwen, and the cousin of the violinist Nitzan Chen Razel. As a child he learned to play on piano and cello, and studied conducting with Mendi Rodan. With his siblings Aharon, Yehuda and Ricka, the Razels formed a band and performed on

Rivka Michaeli Rivka Michaeli ( he, רבקה מיכאלי; born 14 April 1938) is an Israeli actress, comedian, television hostess, and entertainer. Early life Michaeli was born in Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine, British Mandate of Palestine (now Israel). Her f ...

's program. Razel's army service was as a musician and arranger for the IDF military band. After his release, he studied conducting and was the conductor for the Israel Chamber Orchestra and the Ra'anana Symphonette. For a number of years Razel abandoned his music, moved to

Susya Susya ( ar, سوسية, he, סוּסְיָא; Susiyeh, Susiya, Susia) is a location in the southern Hebron Governorate in the West Bank. It houses an archaeological site with extensive remains from the Second Temple and Byzantine periods, incl ...

, where he worked as a shepherd and studied psychology. An offer to arrange music came from

Yoni Rechter Yoni Rechter ( he, יוני רכטר; born 18 November 1951) is an Israeli musician, composer, pianist, arranger and singer. Biography Yonatan (Yoni) Rechter was born in Tel Aviv, Israel. He is the son of Israeli architect Ya'akov Rechter and st ...

and drew him back into the musical world. This performance won warm reactions, and was later included in a "Best of.." collection by Yoni Rechter. This was also when Razel met and befriended Evyatar Banai. He currently lives in

Nachlaot Nachlaot ( he, נחלאות, also ''Naḥlaʾoth'') is a cluster of 23 courtyard neighborhoods in central Jerusalem surrounding the Mahane Yehuda Market. It is known for its narrow, winding lanes, old-style housing, hidden courtyards and many smal ...

, Jerusalem, is married to Yael and has three daughters and one son. He learns in the

Jerusalem Kollel The Jerusalem Kollel is a rabbinic education program with the stated goal of training kollel couples to assume positions of leadership in Jewish communities worldwide. The intensive 3-year program covers the laws of Shabbat, Nidah, and Issur ...

under the direction of Rabbi

Yitzchak Berkovits Yitzchak Shmuel Halevi Berkovits ( he, יצחק שמואל הלוי ברקוביץ) is an American-born Orthodox Jewish rabbi, rosh yeshiva, rosh kollel, and posek (arbiter of Jewish law) in Israel. In 16 years as Menahel Ruchani (spiritual direc ...

Musical career

In 2007, after 12 years of work, Razel released his first album, ''All in All'', produced by

Eviatar Banai Eviatar Banai (also spelled Evyatar or (incorrectly) Evitar; he, אביתר בנאי; born February 8, 1973) is an Israeli musician, singer and songwriter. Biography Early life Banai was born in 1973 in Beersheba. The extended Banai family is ...

. Three radio singles from the album were "All in all", "Zion", and "I am my prayer". The album was followed by a solo tour. Razel won "Singer of the Year" and "Song of the Year" from Ynet in the fall of 2007. In 2009, Razel gained fame in the Orthodox Jewish community after a song he wrote and arranged for

Yaakov Shwekey Yaakov Choueka, better known by his stage name Yaakov Shwekey, is an Orthodox Jewish recording artist and musical entertainer. He is of Egyptian and Syrian Sephardic heritage from his father's side; and Ashkenazi from his mother‘s side. Fam ...

, "

Vehi Sheamda Vehi Sheamda (Hebrew: וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה) is a short passage in the Haggadah of Passover Seder The Passover Seder (; he, סדר פסח , 'Passover order/arrangement'; yi, סדר ) is a ritual feast at the beginning of the Jewis ...

", was successful and won an award as "Song of the Decade" from the religious Israeli radio station "

Kol Chai Kol Chai ( he, קול חי) is a Haredi and National Religious radio station in Israel established in 1996. The station, based in Bnei Brak, broadcasts six days a week: not on Shabbat. Frequencies Contributors ;Current *David Lau * Mordech ...

". In 2022, he came to Strasbourg, France after befriending with the Amira community during their trip together to Uman. He played in the 'grande shule' and Strasbourg's youth accompanied him with music and joy till his car. During the concert, he sang, and the Bas Rhin's Chief Rabbi Harold Avraham Weill joined him on his saxophone. It was "the best evening he had in a long time". All the jews of Strasbourg loved him.

Discography

*''All in All'' (2007) *''In Between the Sounds'' (2012) *''Open To Change'' (2017) *''Live at Heichal HaTarbut'' (2018)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Razel, Yonatan Israeli musicians Jewish American songwriters Jewish American musicians Living people Baalei teshuva American Orthodox Jews American emigrants to Israel Israeli Orthodox Jews Musicians from New York City People from Jerusalem Songwriters from New York (state) 1973 births 21st-century American Jews

Biography

Musical career

Discography

See also

References