Music Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Gilad Segev Is Helping To Change Our World

…I’ve written 40 songs for so many amazing heroes. For example, Liron Barda was working at the Nova Party. Instead of escaping, she chose to stay and save people. She learned how to administer IVs and perform paramedic tasks right there, refusing to leave even when her family begged her to. She couldn’t leave those people, even though they were strangers. Another hero is Ben Shimoni, who escaped but then drove back into danger three times to rescue others…

I had the pleasure of talking with Gilad Segev. Gilad, an acclaimed Israeli musician, on a North American tour to present Project HEROES, an immersive concert experience dedicated to honoring Jewish heroes of the tragic October 7th Hamas-led attacks in Israel. This significant event premiered on Thursday, May 9, at the Museum of Jewish Heritage’s Edmond J. Safra Hall in New York City.

Segev, a prominent figure in the Israeli music scene for over two decades, uses his platform to create a poignant tribute through Project HEROES. The multimedia stage experience blends original music and video, developed in collaboration with the families of the heroes, to honor the courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives to save others during the attacks.

Born and raised in Israel, Gilad Segev was deeply influenced by his parents’ stories and experiences. His mother, a Holocaust survivor from Warsaw, spent part of her childhood in a monastery, while his father served as an army general in Israel. These powerful narratives instilled in him a strong sense of Israeli identity and values.

Segev’s musical journey began with a deep connection to his heritage and Judaism. His breakthrough came with the song “Achshav Tov,” written about his brother who died in service to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This song not only earned the title of Song of the Year but also marked the beginning of a successful career, which includes ten number-one hits in Israel.

Project HEROES originated from texts Segev shared on social media, each dedicated to a hero of the October 7th attacks. These texts resonated deeply with his audience, prompting him to add music and video, transforming the project into a comprehensive commemoration program. The concert is an immersive experience, featuring both English and Hebrew elements for accessibility, and a blend of music, videos, live performances, and documentary scenes.

One poignant story highlighted by Segev is that of Yonatan El-Azari, who, upon hearing gunfire, left his safe hiding place unarmed to confront armed terrorists, eventually finding a gun and saving many lives. This act of bravery is a testament to the enduring spirit of Jewish heroism that Segev celebrates through Project HEROES.

Segev’s personal connection to Project HEROES stems from his own experiences and interactions with the families of the heroes. His music, particularly the deeply moving song “Achshav Tov,” exemplifies the authenticity and emotion of the concert. The project not only commemorates the heroes of October 7th but also seeks to shift the narrative of Jewish history from one of victimhood to heroism.

Beyond the concert, Segev’s vision includes a book and various other content creations, all dedicated to honoring the legacy of Jewish heroes. This project represents a microcosm of Jewish heroism throughout history, reinforcing the idea that the spirit of the Torah and the Bible continues to be written through the actions of modern-day heroes.

Throughout his career, Segev has drawn inspiration from figures in Jewish history as well as from non-Jewish individuals who embody values of courage and resilience. He cites King David, a historical figure known for both his musical talents and his prowess as a warrior, as a significant influence. This duality of artistic expression and heroism is something Segev sees reflected in the people he honors through his music.

Segev’s admiration for the people of Nova, who displayed incredible bravery during the October 7th attacks, is evident in his storytelling. He describes them as some of the best humanity has ever produced, celebrating their ability to balance love, joy, and heroism.

Gilad Segev’s message extends beyond the stage. He advocates for what he calls the “hero’s movement,” encouraging people to participate in acts of heroism inspired by those who have come before. The goal of the movement is to continue the legacy of courage and resilience, and to encourage making small but significant contributions to the greater good.

As Gilad Segev tours North America with Project HEROES, he invites audiences to join him in honoring the heroes of October 7th and celebrating the enduring spirit of heroism that defines the Jewish people. Through his music and storytelling, Segev hopes to leave a lasting impression, inspiring others to recognize and emulate the courageous acts of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

It’s an honor to meet you, my friend. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story and your background. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Of course. I was born in Israel and had the privilege of having two wonderful parents. My mother is a Holocaust survivor who, as a child, was in Warsaw and grew up in a monastery. My father is an army general in Israel. Both of them instilled strong Israeli values in me.

Later on, my journey with music deepened my connection to my roots, helping me understand the heritage beyond Israel. Through music, I discovered a deep connection to Judaism. In Israel, I established myself as a singer-songwriter 20 years ago. The first song I wrote, about my brother who was killed during his IDF service, called “Ashavtov,” was named Song of the Year. It was a powerful beginning to my career, which was later followed by ten number-one hits.

Eventually, I began to develop my international career with a project called Passerby, aimed at connecting people worldwide through music. However, everything changed after October 7th. I connected my Israeli identity and history with my global experience and began creating the project Heroes. Initially, it was to commemorate the amazing heroes of October 7th, but later it aimed to change the narrative of Jewish people from victimhood to heroism.

Can you tell us a bit more about the project Heroes? What is it and what is its goal?

Project Heroes started with texts that I released on Facebook and social media. These texts resonated deeply with people and went viral. Each text is dedicated to one of the heroes. Later, I added music and a video, which I directed, and it has now become a concert. So, it evolved into a comprehensive commemoration program and a book, featuring various content creations that I produced.

The commemoration program was the beginning because the October 7th heroes represent a microcosm of Jewish heroism throughout history. For example, there was a man named Yonatan El-Azari. When he heard shootings, even though he was hidden in a very safe place and unarmed, he went out with a stone to fight the armed terrorists. He eventually found a gun and saved many people.

This made me realize that the heroes of October 7th are a reflection of Jewish heroism throughout time. It struck me profoundly that, while the Torah is written, the Bible is still being written, and we continue to have Biblical heroes among us.

So, the word “hero” in English is different from the word “gibor” in Hebrew. How do you define a gibor or a hero?

You know, that’s a brilliant question, and I’ll tell you why. The first thing I did was try to understand the difference between a brave, courageous person and a hero. There is a difference. A hero is someone who risks everything in a certain moment to do something. They risk everything. You can be courageous just to wake up in the morning or brave to handle daily life, but heroes put everything on the line. It’s not an easy word to embody.

Many people sometimes tell me that I’m a hero, but I correct them. I tell them I am not a hero. Heroes are the ones who risk everything. There’s something interesting about this because the act of heroism doesn’t end once the hero finishes their act. What’s special about it is that once a hero performs their act, it becomes a light, and we can join in by telling about it, singing about it, and praising it. In that way, we allow the act of heroism to continue and the hero to live on.

Studies show that every culture has heroes, even though they are no longer alive. Why are there songs about them in every culture? Because heroes have a therapeutic power for all of us. Telling their stories heals us. This is why heroes can save us again and again. Though they are not physically present, it is us who can save ourselves again and again by telling their stories and letting the heroes lead us.

Can you tell us maybe one or two stories of the heroes that you’re featuring in your project?

Of course. All of them are exceptional. I’ve written 40 songs for so many amazing heroes. For example, Liron Barda was working at the Nova Party. Instead of escaping, she chose to stay and save people. She learned how to administer IVs and perform paramedic tasks right there, refusing to leave even when her family begged her to. She couldn’t leave those people, even though they were strangers.

Another hero is Ben Shimoni, who escaped but then drove back into danger three times to rescue others. And as I mentioned before, there was Yonatan El-Azari. These are just a few examples, and there are so many more. The numbers are overwhelming.

If you think about our people and visit the families, you’ll discover heroes in every family. The Jewish people are inherently heroic. For some reason, we don’t often perceive ourselves this way — perhaps out of modesty or a desire to avoid attention. But the truth is, our grandfathers and grandmothers were heroes, and now we see that our new generation is heroic too.

Take the TikTok generation, for example. People often criticize Generation Z, but they are heroes. Jewish heroism isn’t genetic; it’s about helping one another, fighting for justice, and finding innovative solutions. This is the essence of Jewish heroism, and you don’t have to be Jewish to share this perception.

It’s ironic and absurd that this perception, which represents the best of humanity, is now being attacked. This is why Project Heroes is so necessary. Campus students need to know they are heroes and descendants of heroes. They don’t need to argue about it; they just need to tell the truth. And that’s what we do in Project Heroes. We tell the truth by sharing the stories of these heroes, without arguing or debating, just by telling their stories.

So smart, so beautiful. I turn on the radio and all I hear about is Jews. All people, nonstop. Open up Twitter, and all the top trending stories are talking about Jews. It’s been this way for the past year. The whole planet is talking about Jews all the time. Why?

Look, I have my own thoughts about it. It started with Cain and Abel — it was jealousy. Despite the Jewish people winning such a high percentage of Nobel prizes and bringing so much light to humanity, for some reason, people choose not to enjoy this light and instead focus on the shadow and their jealousy. They call it by many names. Some people are also misinformed.

Jealousy, like the fear of death, fills a void in many lives. A significant part of life is driven by jealousy and fear of death, by invisible forces. I’m not saying everyone is jealous of the Jewish people — many are not. But you can’t understand or justify the obsession people have with judging us, not letting us win the battles we should.

I explain it to myself as something with many reasons, but the main reason is hidden — fear or complexity. But you know, I don’t focus on that at all. I just focus on our special perception of life that we need to share. That’s all. It’s not something religious. You don’t have to be Jewish to be a Jewish hero. You just need to say the truth: we are heroes, an heroic people, here to make humanity feel better.

The reason we talk about it now is because the situation is so absurd. It’s absurd that people came, killed us, butchered us, and raped our women. They were the most terrible terrorists, yet much of the world finds ways to justify them or even cheer for them. This absurdity means we need to talk about our heroes. We don’t need to argue; we just need to talk about our heroes.

What lessons do you hope that the broader society can take from your songs?

You know, I use the word “light” a lot, but it’s the best word to describe it. These people gave everything for something they believed in, and they had strong values behind their actions. I hope to reflect their light and values, and to inspire others. I’m just a tool for these heroes, a reflector using storytelling and music, which are universal languages that don’t create division.

My goal is for people to get to know these heroes. People are very smart, even those who might not be seen as such. They will understand, even if they can’t always explain it. Once they experience the light, they will understand. We need this because we keep doing the wrong things as a people. Why? Because we’re still not convinced of the truth ourselves. We’re always questioning ourselves, and we lose so much energy doing that. Why do we question ourselves all the time?

So you speak about spreading light. What do you think our readers or the broader community can do to help spread it?

That’s fantastic. You know what? It’s the easiest thing to do. Today, everyone has social media and everyone can be like CNN, everyone. By sharing heroism stories with your family and friends — stories about your own family, or about the heroes of October 7th — you can spread light. Focus on the heroism, not the victimhood.

We often celebrate our holidays with the idea that “they tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.” But we need to stop focusing on that. If you think about it, most holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot aren’t about survival from persecution. Yet, in our history books and stories, we often frame our identity around victimhood. We have such amazing heroes, from the Inquisition to the Holocaust, and we should talk more about them.

For example, Napoleon learned all his strategies from Judah Maccabee, yet not enough people talk about Judah Maccabee. We have so many heroes, and we don’t talk about them enough. Our readers can find a hero they relate to and share their story. Even if they tell it to just one person, they are spreading the light, sharing it, and forwarding it. Just take one mission. It’s like love — it will change everything.

In the book “Cloud Atlas,” it says, “I’m only one drop in the ocean, but what is an ocean but a multitude of drops?” Each person can make a difference by sharing these stories.

I love that book, actually. And the movie.

Me too. It tells a lot about you, by the way. It’s a very Jewish book. The directors learned Kabbalah, and even their other movie, The Matrix, has many Jewish elements, like Zion and Babylon. I’ll tell you a secret. My firstborn son is named Neo. Neo Isaac, Neo Yitzhak.

So it’s clear that someone lit your light and inspired you. Can you share the story of someone who made a great impression on you, someone who influenced you?

Yeah, of course. I think of many people in Jewish history who have inspired me, but also non-Jewish people. It’s all about perception and values. Let’s talk about King David. He was a great fighter, but he also played music, wrote songs, and poetry. This duality is something I see in the people of Nova as well. They came to celebrate love and life, but when things happened, they became the greatest fighters.

This duality is what makes us special. We can be both at the same time. Humanity has had about 100 billion lives on this planet throughout history, and I see the Nova people as some of the best humanity has ever produced. They are here for love, dancing, hugging, and when the time comes, they heroically save their friends. What kind of human beings are these? I have never encountered such amazing individuals, and I feel the need to talk about them.

I think our young people today may feel hopeless. When I was a kid, maybe when you were younger, things seemed different. We didn’t really have anti-Semitism, but now I feel bad for my kids. Every day they hear sad things. What message of hope can you give to the younger people?

I want to tell them that it’s not about them. It’s not their fault. They are heroes, amazing kids, and descendants of incredible people. Others have their own problems and throw their negativity onto them. First of all, they should stop listening to and believing what these people say because it’s not true.

Second, they need to understand that they are heroes. They should stop arguing with those who will never be convinced. Don’t waste your energy. Empower yourself by knowing who you are and leaving doubts behind. Learn the truth and share it. This is a moment of truth — tell the truth, learn the truth, and you will feel empowered. The negativity comes from misdirected or misunderstood places, or even dark places, but that doesn’t matter. Focus on feeling good about who you are and don’t waste your energy on pointless arguments.

If you were the Prime Minister of Israel, what message would you tell the people of Israel and the world today?

Let’s say president because I will never be in politics, and I would never want to be president. But to answer your question, a very simple message to my people: Love yourself and don’t argue. Just tell the truth and it will shine like light.

To all the other people in the world, except the terrorists, of course, I would say: We love you. You will understand. We love you, and one day you will understand. That’s it.

You said something very profound that I’d like to talk about — the importance of loving yourself. I think people don’t fully appreciate what that means and why it’s so important.

You can never create change or a new reality if you don’t love yourself. But loving yourself isn’t easy. It’s a difficult task. You need to confront and understand yourself. It’s not that you don’t have many reasons to love yourself; people have plenty of reasons. The question is, what stops you from doing that? What do you gain from not loving yourself? What are you afraid of? What’s the story you tell yourself that prevents you from doing it?

I encourage everyone to go through this process. They can start by looking at others, our heroes, and understanding they are one with us. They live now, and they lived in the past.

I have friends and colleagues who are either Muslims living in Morocco or Palestinians living here. I’ve had a difficult time and I’m afraid to talk to them now. I don’t want our friendship to be broken. What would you do?

There is no reason for anyone to be heartbroken from their side because the responsibility lies not with the Israeli or Jewish people, but with those who teach their children to become martyrs from a young age. Those are the people to blame. It’s sad for everyone involved, but if someone blames the Israeli or Jewish people, the conversation is over. The people who vote for terrorists need to take responsibility for themselves. It’s patronizing for us to take responsibility for them.

In Israel, when there was the Haganah and the Etzel, the Haganah eventually shot the Etzel, and then Israel was formed. They need to understand that continuing on their current path won’t take them anywhere. If they need 40 years in the desert, like us, they should. Once they stop their actions, we will lay down our guns immediately, but they will never lay down theirs as long as they teach their children to become martyrs and poison the next generation.

This isn’t about a small percentage of their population; it affects many. They need to take responsibility. That’s how I see it. If I talk to my friend, I won’t listen to what he has to say because that’s it. I’ll move to another subject. I’m like a radio; I project outward and don’t listen anymore. People might say that’s not democratic, but once they did Nazi things to me, I stopped listening.

Do you think that we’re going to be stuck in this cycle forever?

No, I don’t think so. This is an important conversation today because I believe that things that seem like science fiction can happen. Right now, the word “Jewish” might have a negative association for some, but it can become a symbol of heroism in ten years. Most people in the world could see Jewish people as heroes. We just need to tell the truth, and time will play in our favor, even with bad things happening in the world. People don’t understand that we need to tell the truth.

I don’t wish for bad things to happen to the world, but I’m just saying this is likely. However, we first need to change our ways and our self-perception. That’s what we’re here to do.

You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

For me, it’s the hero’s movement. You don’t need to jump on a grenade to be a member. You just need to take part in the acts of heroism that happened in the past and continue them. Just echo those actions, just forward them. That’s all. It’s very simple. Just do it. Choose your hero.

So, you’re talking to a regular American, Midwestern kid. Should they think about a hero from their parents, grandparents, and family line? Or are you talking about a Jewish hero?

No, no. I’m talking about Americans in general. But first, before I approach an American boy or girl, I need to talk to my own kids. If we’re not convinced ourselves, we won’t be able to convince anyone else. We need to take responsibility and look at our own situation. Our situation is far from ideal, and part of the problem is that we don’t tell the good truth about ourselves. We’re too progressive and listen too much to others. We don’t need to apologize to someone who hasn’t said sorry. First, they say sorry, then we forgive them.

When we talk about sharing our story and telling the truth, it can mean talking to another person or writing it down. Just get it out there. Share a story that excites you and pass it on. Think about the people in your life who are your heroes and tell their stories to the people you love. Instead of watching TV and criticizing others, which creates a negative vibe, tell inspiring stories.

By the way, all the biggest blockbusters are about heroes — people who overcame difficulties. The greatest books of literature are about heroes too. How about encouraging young readers who want to create great movies to make one about a Jewish hero? Change the narrative.

So, can you tell us about the concert and how readers can get involved?

Yes, the concert is based on a commemoration program for the exceptional heroes of October 7th. Each song in the concert is dedicated to a specific hero, with videos telling their stories. It’s a unifying and multimedia experience that brings people together.

Okay, this is a final question. This is our matchmaker question and sometimes it works. We’re very blessed that prominent leaders in entertainment, music, and business read this column. Is there a person in the US or in the world with whom you would like to sit down and have a coffee, have a beer, or collaborate with?

Please do. I’ll say it very clearly. I think one of the most influential people in humanity’s history is Steven Spielberg. He has defined what a hero is in cinema, making even an alien a hero that everybody loves, and he’s done this many times. On the other side, he is one of the most leading Jewish figures ever, focusing on testimonials and many other things. There is no greater person for the Heroes Project to be a mentor, connecting the heroes of humanity with Jewish heroes. I would be blessed to sit and have coffee with him because it might be interesting. It’s a brilliant idea. That would be amazing for him to share those stories. He’s the best person for this.

That’s a brilliant idea. Thank you so much. Gilad, it’s an honor to meet you, my friend. I wish you only success and good health. I’d really love to meet you in person.

Me too. Very much. We will.

Okay. Look forward to it, Gilad.