FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION

VELI YERUSHALAYIM

A timeless longing. An enveloping sound. A majestic anthem of hope.

BEST GLOBAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE

&

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND VOCALS

Listen

Spotify | Apple Music

Veli Yerushalayim is an interpretation of a many-centuries old Hebrew prayer, expressing hope and longing for Jerusalem to be restored and filled once again with Divine presence.

A solo horn opens the recording, close to heraldic. The song then settles into its intimate core: Breindy's lead vocal, piano, and a glassy electric guitar that hangs in the air. The verse returns, and returns again, never quite the same. Harmonies gather, textures thicken and the rhythm pulses. The piano holds the floor steady while everything above it expands. Then it all falls away, and the accumulation begins again.

Breindy and Matt once again showcase what they do best, bringing ancient Hebrew texts to life through a richly textured musical setting that blends the intimacy of prayer with an ethereal, cinematic sound.

The Johannesburg-based duo collaborated with three-time Grammy Award winner Lonnie Park on piano, alongside acclaimed French hornist Mary Beth Orr, a finalist for The American Prize in Instrumental Performance. The result is an expansive arrangement that brings a traditional prayer into a contemporary musical world while remaining firmly grounded in its heritage.

Lyrics & Meaning

Veli Yerushalayim takes its words from the Amidah, an ancient Hebrew prayer recited daily for generations. They express a longing for Jerusalem to be restored and rebuilt, and for the spiritual promise it represents to be fulfilled.

Original Hebrew:

.וְלִירוּשָׁלַיִם עִירְךָ בְּרַחֲמִים תָּשׁוּב וְתִשְׁכּוֹן בְּתוֹכָהּ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ
וּבְנֵה אוֹתָהּ בְּקָרוֹב בְּיָמֵינוּ בִּנְיַן עוֹלָם
.וְכִסֵּא דָוִד עַבְדְּךָ מְהֵרָה לְתוֹכָהּ תָּכִין

English Translation:

And to Jerusalem, Your city, return in mercy, and dwell within it as You have promised.
Rebuild it soon in our days as an everlasting structure,
and speedily establish within it the throne of David.

“It's a delightful musical presentation that is both uplifting and calming. Perfect for these challenging times.”

- JNS

“Breindy and Matt’s new single Veli Yerushalayim paints a vivid picture of the city at its heart; the horn evoking ancient ritual and prayer while classical melodies and harmonies play with modern vocals just like its eclectic mix of inhabitants.”

- Jewish Life Magazine

About Breindy & Matt

The husband-and-wife duo describe their unique brand of hypnotic music as “ancient-Hebrew, indie-alternative”.

Originally from two completely different backgrounds (Breindy - a rabbi's daughter; Matt having grown up in a secular home), the music they make heralds from Jewish roots and Biblical texts, yet takes shape in a sound that is both ethereal and contemporary; experimental and traditional.

Their work has been recognized both locally and internationally. Their Ruth Ave album earned a nomination at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) for Best Alternative Album in 2019, and in 2020 they received a Global Music Award (bronze medal for Best Album). More recently, their songs Al Tuster (a collaboration with Zulu Maskandi artist, Mbuzeni) and Take Me Back to Woody Cape were honoured with Global Music Awards silver medals in June 2025. In 2026 ther song Yedid won two World Entertainments Awards and was chosen as a finalist for the ISSA Awards. They are both voting members of The Recording Academy.

Breindy and Matt live in Johannesburg, South Africa and have 5 kids.

CREDITS