Yosef Karduner, born Gilad Kardunos in 1969 in Petah Tikva, Israel, is an Israeli Hasidic singer, songwriter, and composer. As a youth he excelled in sports and studied music, focusing particularly on the bass guitar. At age 18 he was conscripted into the Israel Defense Forces, where he performed in a military musical troupe. After completing his service, he formed a rock band and worked as a backing guitarist for Israeli singer Uzi Hitman. In his mid-twenties he encountered the teachings of Nachman of Breslov and became associated with the Breslov Hasidim, adopting the name Yosef Karduner as he grew more religious in the mid-1990s. His breakthrough came with the song “Shir LaMaalot” (“Song to the Ascents,” Psalm 121). Karduner has released numerous albums, including Mikdash Melech (2000) and Menorah HaZahav (The Golden Menorah) (2013). His music blends Hasidic themes with influences from soft rock, jazz, country, pop, and Latin styles.
