Singing from the Shadows to the Shining Stage

How do you find faith during difficult circumstances?
How did you feel when you finally were able to celebrate overcoming the challenges?

Yuval Raphael, a 24-year-old Israeli, whose voice became a beacon light that helped lift Israel and Jews worldwide from the depths of suffering to the heights of joy. Her journey, from surviving the horrors of Hamas at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, to the triumph of winning the #1 Fan Vote and second place at Eurovision 2025 echoes an ancient rhythm. The song of Miriam, who led the Children of Israel in dance and timbrel after the trials of the wilderness (Exodus 15:20).

On that fateful morning of October 7, 2023, the Nova festival pulsed with the heartbeat of Israeli youth; some 3,500 souls dancing under the desert sky during the joyous holiday of Simcha Torah. Then, in a moment of unimaginable horror, Palestinian Hamas terrorists descended, turning celebration into carnage. At least 364 young lives were lost. Approximately 40 more were taken hostage, part of over 250 Israelis abducted across southern Israel that day, in an attack that claimed at least 1,195 lives, the deadliest civilian massacre in Israel’s history. Yuval survived the attack by hiding in a bomb shelter. In a desperate phone call to her dad, Yuval’s father told her to “play dead in order to survive.” Yuval hid underneath dead bodies of fellow festival goers. Refusing to give up she endured, all the while praying to survive. . Fast forward to May 17, 2025, her resilience was revealed again, her music a defiant note of hope in the face of hate.

In Exodus 15:20, Miriam stood at the edge of the Sea of Reeds, her timbrel in hand, leading the Children of Israel in song and dance. “Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing. And Miriam sang to them…” The Children of Israel had known suffering during the bondage of slavery and a dangerous escape from Egypt while chased by Pharaoh’s army. Miriam did not linger in the shadows of pain. She danced, she sang, and she inspired. Her voice invigorated the people, turning their weary steps into a celebration of life. Her timbrel became a symbol of joy reborn, a testament that even after the deepest trials the heart can find its rhythm again and our voices can express our faith.

Yuval and Israel would face dual terrorist threats again on May 17, 2025. While Houthi Terrorists launched missiles on Tel Aviv, Israeli’s watched Yuval overcome the threats of violence by Palestinian Hamas terror supporters in Basel, Switzerland, during Eurovision. Yuval inspired Israel with her resilience and determination. At the end of her song, Yuval proudly and defiantly exalted “Am Yisrael Chai” as a tribute to Israel and Jews world-wide. Each and every loss of life on October 7th and IDF soldier lost since was conveyed in each and every note Yuval sang In that moment, all of Israel, Jews, and Yuval marked the moment from suffering to celebration, made possible by perseverance, faith in G-d/Hashem, and compassionate community.

In the Jewish tradition, song and dance are sacred acts, weaving the earthly to the eternal. Miriam’s timbrel resounds through the generations, a reminder that joy is not the absence of suffering but the courage to sing through it. Yuval’s journey mirrors this timeless truth.

From the bomb shelter on October 7, 2023, to the global spotlight on May 17, 2025, from the shadows of Nova to shining stage of Eurovision, Yuval wove her melody to lift the Land of Israel, and lead a modern exodus, from sorrow to strength, inviting all to join in the dance of hope and determination.

What does it mean to sing through shadows? Yuval Raphael’s triumph asks each soul to pick up their own timbrel. To find a moment of beauty, to share a note of kindness, to dance even when the ground feels unsteady. In the quiet of this moment, listen for the melody of resilience. Let it guide our hearts to a new day, where joy rises like a song that cannot be silenced.

Who will lift a timbrel today? What song will carry us forward?

Appendix

Israel has had remarkable success at the Eurovision with four winners in the past 15 years. It is particularly remarkable for Israel to have placed #1 Fan Favorite, #2 Overall, and #5 overall since October 7, 2023, despite the virulent antisemitism and pernicious propaganda and threats of the pro-Hamas Palestinian terror supporters who threatened and tried to impede the Israeli singing and participation efforts.

Eurovision 2025: Yuval Raphael – “New Day Will Rise”