Daniel Barenboim Is Named Musical Director of La Scala Opera House
Israeli composer Daniel Barenboim is named musical director of the prestigious La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy.
Israeli Jazz Festival Opens in New York
Acclaimed jazz artist John Zorn hosts the first annual Israeli Jazz Festival at “The Stone,” his New York City venue.
“Lebanon” Wins Venice Film Award
For the first time since the award was introduced in 1949, an Israeli film, Lebanon, wins the Golden Lion Award at the 66th annual Venice International Film Festival.
Israel Hosts First International Dance Sport Competition in Ashdod
More than 3,000 spectators attend the Ten-Dance European Cup, the first international dance sports competition to be held in Israel.
Choreographer Sarah Levy-Tanai Dies
Sarah Levy-Tanai, one of Israel’s foremost choreographers and contributors to Israeli cultural life, dies in her mid-90s.
Ephraim Kishon Passes Away
Israeli writer, playwright, and film writer/director Ephraim Kishon passes away at the age of 80 in Switzerland.
“Hatikvah” Officially Declared National Anthem
November 10, 2004 More than half a century after the founding of the state of Israel, the Knesset officially adopts “Hatikvah” (“The Hope”) as the national anthem. The song became the anthem of the Zionist…
Musician Naomi Shemer Dies
June 26, 2004 Israel Prize-winning musician Naomi Shemer, best known for writing “Jerusalem of Gold,” dies at age 73 at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv after a long battle with cancer. Born in 1930 at…
Political Cartoonist Ze’ev Dies
Yaakov Farkash, known by the pen name Ze’ev and considered the father of Israeli political cartoons, dies at age 79 near Tel Aviv.
Songwriter Meir Ariel Dies
July 18, 1999 Singer-songwriter Meir Ariel, 57, known as the “Man of Words” for his poetic Hebrew lyrics, dies of Mediterranean spotted fever transmitted by a tick. He is buried at Kibbutz Mishmarot, where he…
Dana International Wins Eurovision
May 9, 1998 Dana International wins the Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the third Israeli and the first since 1979 to do so, with her performance of the techno-pop song “Diva” in Birmingham, England. Her victory…
Composer Menachem Avidom Dies
Famed Israeli Composer Menachem Avidom, whose compositions help lay the groundwork for future Mizrahi and Sephardic (Middle Eastern Jewish) music in Israel, passes away in Tel Aviv.
Nightclub Owner Aris San Dies
July 25, 1992 Aris San, who popularized Greek music in Israel, mysteriously dies at age 52 while living in Budapest. His quick cremation and past connections to organized crime at his nightclubs contribute to conspiracy…
Painter Mordecai Ardon Dies
June 18, 1992 Mordecai Ardon, one of Israel’s best-known painters, dies at age 95 in Jerusalem. Born Max Bronstein in Galicia in 1896, he ran away from his religiously observant family at 13 and wandered…
Third Tel-Aviv International Student Film Festival Takes Place
The biennial Tel-Aviv International Student Film Festival film festival includes a future Oscar winner among its student films.
Israeli Idol Hagit Yaso Born
Singer Hagit Yaso, a winner of Israel’s version of “American Idol,” is born in Sderot to parents who escaped poor conditions in an Ethiopian village by walking four months through the desert to reach Sudan and fly to Israel.
Singer Zohar Argov Kills Himself
“The King” of Mizrahi music, Zohar Argov, fatally hangs himself in jail after being accused of attempted rape.
Israeli Supermodel Bar Refaeli Is Born in Hod Hasharon
Known internationally for her beauty and business savvy, Bar Refaeli has lead modeling campaigns for major brands such as Gap and Samsung, and has one of the most recognizable faces in the fashion industry.
Artist Marcel Janco Passes Away
Romanian born artist Marcel Janco, one of the founders of the Dada art movement who made Aliyah in 1941, passes away at the age of 89.
First International Festival of Jewish Theater Convenes
The First International Conference and Festival of Jewish Theater opens in Tel Aviv. The festival coincides with the beginning of the first war in Lebanon and is almost canceled because many Israeli participants were called up for reserve duty.
Actress Hanna Rovina Dies
February 3, 1980 Acclaimed actress Hanna Rovina dies in Ra’anana at age 91. Her body lies in state the next day at the Habima Theatre, and she is eulogized by Shimon Finkel as “the high…
Opera Star Edis De Philippe Dies
July 5, 1979 Israel National Opera Company founder Edis De Philippe dies at age 67 after brain surgery. A New York native, De Philippe studied music, ballet and half a dozen languages before committing to…
Israel’s “Hallelujah” Wins Eurovision Song Contest
The 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, an annual competition between member countries of the European Broadcasting Union, is held in Jerusalem.
Singer Idan Raichel Is Born
September 12, 1977 Singer, composer and producer Idan Raichel is born in Kfar Saba, Israel. His music incorporates Israeli, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian and other international sounds. Lacking family musical roots, he takes up the accordion…
