“Hagadá Musical”: When My People’s Story Sounded Like Mariachi

I never imagined that one day I would hear Ma Nishtaná accompanied by vihuela, guitarrón, and violins. Even less did I imagine that I would be the one to make it a reality. And yet, here I am, from Israel, proudly presenting Hagadá Musical, the first EP by Mariachi Jerusalem: four traditional pieces from the Passover Haggadah, reimagined in an instrumental mariachi style with touches of symphonic orchestration.

For some years now, I’ve been working to build bridges between my Jewish identity and my musical upbringing. I grew up surrounded by classical scores and mariachi serenades. When I founded Mariachi Jerusalem, it was with the desire to offer something different — but deeply rooted. I wanted our roots to speak with our passions. And Passover —the holiday that tells the story of the Exodus, of freedom, of generational transmission— felt like the perfect context for that musical dialogue.

This instrumental EP features four essential moments from the Haggadah: Ma Nishtaná, Avadim Hayinu, Dayenu, and Vehi Sheamda. There are no voices. Instead, we let the instruments speak. We let the melodies tell the story. We let the silences breathe between the measures. We let the sound of mariachi —with all its emotional power— carry us through the ancient narrative we retell every year.

This is not a decorative gesture, nor a superficial fusion. It is a work of deep respect and reflection, crafted with detail, with love for both traditions. We’re not trying to folklorize the Haggadah. We aim to revive it. To hear it as never before. To feel it with a heart beating to the rhythm of a vihuela.

Hagadá Musical is our offering of freedom. A sincere attempt to transform tradition into living art, to let music cross borders just as our people once did. It is Passover with Mariachi Jerusalem — and also an invitation to celebrate identity without fear, without labels, with the full power of a trumpet raised high to declare that we are still here.

Pesach Kasher veSameach from Israel.

Available on streaming platforms