Rihanna. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Madonna. “Big Brother.” “The Voice.” The Red Carpet. Fashion Week.

All of the above are popular American recording artists, television shows and fashion events. As it turns out, all of these things are an important aspect in Israeli culture since pop culture in the Jewish State mimics American culture in music, fashion, and even television.

Music is a pastime shared by people all around the world. Israel is no exception. In addition to Israeli reggae music by Matisyahu (who comes to the Pageant in St. Louis Oct. 1), American music is also popular in Israel. Currently, Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” is No. 1 on the Israeli Top 10 Song Chart.

 “A lot of Israeli teens really like American and British music,” said Shakaed Ben-Chorin, a sophomore at Leo Baeck High School in Haifa, Israel.

In America, parents tend to be stricter on the ages they will allow their kids to go concerts alone. “[In Israel] teenagers have much more freedom to go to concerts at a younger age alone,” Shakaed said.

With this freedom Israeli kids have a better chance of broadening their music library.      

St. Louis is gearing up for the city’s own Fashion Week, which runs Oct. 8-18; however, across the world in Tel Aviv, Fashion Week took place in early March. Though these fashion events are more than six months apart, Israeli and American fashion share more similarities than one might think.

“Israelis wear a lot of the same styles that we do here,” said Bari Weber, a sophomore at Marquette High School, who visited and studied in Israel for the fall semester of 2013. “At almost every mall, there is an H&M, and a Top Ten Accessories, which is similar to Claire’s.”

A common thought is that Jews living in Israel dress more conservatively than American Jews. This is not necessarily the case.

“In both Israel and America, Reform or secular Jews dress differently than Orthodox or more religious Jews,” Bari said.

Though the different denominations of Jews dress differently, religious symbols are incorporated in both clothing and accessories appropriate for any style of dress.

“There are Stars of David, hamsas, etc. everywhere,” Bari said.

Like fashion and music, American programs are reflected in Israel.

“A lot of the pop culture in Israel is modeled after pop culture in other places in the world… mostly the U.S and the U.K,” said Shakaed.

Popular American shows have their own version in Israel such as “Master Chef” and “Big Brother.”

 “The most important factor has been watching simple ‘poppy’ shows like ‘Big Brother’ and ‘The Voice,’ which have helped me learn Hebrew, ” said Ariel Gluckson, a 29-year-old who has lived in Tel Aviv for seven years.

The main difference between Israeli and American television is that Israeli TV is more liberal.

“There is much more freedom in terms of what is censored and what is broadcasted – less restrictions on foul language, less taboo around LGBT influences in the media, and actually a more blunt view into the day to day life,” Gluckson said.

In most other Middle-Eastern countries, American movies and TV shows are voiced-over into their native language.

 “TV programming in Israel comes straight from the States, and Israelis pride themselves over watching U.S. shows/movies with original sound tracks with subtitles in Hebrew,” Gluckson said.

In most aspects of Israeli pop culture, American influences can be found. Although American culture shapes a large amount of Israeli pop culture, Israel does not lose its uniqueness, and continues to have a rich culture.