עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי
am yisrael chai
Am Yisrael chai means the people of Israel lives
What it means
Am is people, Yisrael is Israel, and chai is alive. The sentence says that the Jewish people is still here, and it is said, sung and written as a statement of survival and pride.
When Israelis say it
It is sung at rallies, weddings and ceremonies, and Shlomo Carlebach's melody for it became the anthem of the movement for Soviet Jews in the 1960s. It is also a sign-off at the end of a speech or a message.
Frequently asked questions
Does Am Yisrael chai refer to the State of Israel?
To the Jewish people, the people of Israel, wherever they live. It is older than the state.
How do you pronounce Am Yisrael chai?
Am yis-ra-EL CHAI, with the throaty ch of Bach.