1 The Soundtrack of Israel: The Story of Israel at 66 through the songs of Arik Einstein Israel turns sixty six this year and a so much has happened in this seemingly short lifetime. Every war, every peace treaty, every struggle, and every accomplishment has left its impact on the ever changing character of the Jewish State. But throughout all of these ups and downs, all of the conflicts and all of the progress, there has been one voice that has consistently spoken for the Jewish nation, one voice that has represented Israelis for all 66 years and will continue to represent a people far into the future. That is the voice of Arik Einstein. Einstein’s music, referred to by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the “soundtrack of Israel,” transcended generations. Einstein often took the words of high-brow Israeli poets such as Chaim Nachman Bialik, Rahel, Nathan Alterman and Avraham Halfi and turned them into rock anthems sung by vibrant Israeli youth. Einstein captured the heart and soul of Israelis old and young. For every Zionist, peacenik, settler, hopeless romantic, nostalgia aficionado and child (or child at heart) in Israel, there is at least one Arik Einstein song that speaks to them. For every historic Israeli moment, there is an Arik Einstein song that represents the emotion of a united nation, or a shuttered people. Although fairly unknown outside of Israel, Arik Einstein was loved by all, and mourned by all after his sudden death in November of 2013, when tens of thousands of Israelis joined together to pay their respects to the iconic Sabra at a memorial service in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. The history of Zionism and the state of Israel can essentially be told through the songs of Arik Einstein. Let us celebrate Israel’s birthday by joining together in song with Arik and all of Israel – remembering incredible 130 years of Zionism, great 66 years of the State of Israel and looking forward to so many more years and music to come! Donny Inbar, Ph.D., The Israel Center of the Jewish Community Federation Danielle Mahrer, The Middle East Project, JCRC A Short Biography of Arik Einstein Arieh (Arik) Einstein was born in Tel Aviv on January 3rd, 1939, the only child of Devorah and actor Yaakov Einstein. Einstein was Israel’s high jump champion and a keen basketball player as a boy and spent his military service performing in the popular military Nahal Entertainment Troupe. In addition to music, Einstein was an accomplished comedian, an impersonator and a popular stage and screen actor. Arik (always referred to by his first name) was Israel’s first 2 and most popular rock star, but it was his ability to mix folk, rock and classic Israeli poetry into his music that made him so iconic in the Israeli music scene. He began his recording career in the early 1960s and released nearly 50 albums, many of which were collaborations with other up-and-coming Israeli artists such as Shalom Hanoch, Miki Gavrielov and Yoni Rechter, who turned, thanks to the collaboration with Einstein, into major musical figures in Israel. He formed the first ever mainstream Israeli pop band, produced the first ever Israeli rock album, and sang Hebrew covers of Beatles and Animals songs, adding Israeli flavor to popular world music. In 2010 at the age of 71, Einstein was still the most widely played vocalist in Israel. In the early 1980s Arik Einstein ceased to perform live, and for decades refused to go back on stage, despite the most generous offers. He carried on recording new albums, and remained a keen sports fan and forever a modest and shy person. Arik Einstein passed away on November 26th, 2013. His personal life, just like his music, sheds light on the complexity of life in Israel: he himself was the son of a popular stage actor in the labor movement’s theater. His first wife was the granddaughter of the first female (and feminist) leader of the socialist Hashomer defence organization, and later became a ba’alat teshuva, ultra-orthodox with their two daughters. His second wife was former actress Sima Eliyahu. The Songs In our educational kit we are presenting a selection of of Arik Einstein’s most beautiful and meaningful songs (the lyrics and translations are provided as well). We believe that the journey through these songs tells the most personal and authentic (heartwarming as well as painful) story of Israel. You can choose from the songs offered here to create a story and narrative of Israel through the music of Arik Einstein to share with your congregation or class in celebration of Israel’s 66th Yom Ha’atzmaut. A short explanation of each song and its background or historic connection is provided here. The PowerPoint presentation includes video or audio files of all the songs, as well as the lyrics in Hebrew and English. Our musical journey covers decades of Eretz-Israel love story: from the early days of Zionism and the first Moshava, through the building of the kibbutz movement in the valley of Jezreel to wars, mourning, anti-militaristic protest, longing for good-old Eretz Israel, struggling with the mundane reality, longing for Israel from abroad (San Francisco), being disappointed with its present when in Israel, yet never ceasing the dream about the ability to change the world and even when in pain never stopping to love Israel and all it embodies. The Ballad of Yoel Moishe Salomon, 1970 – Tells the story of Yoel Moshe Salomon (1838-1912), the founder of the first ever moshava Petah Tikvah. Salomon was one of the first Jews to leave the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, and before founding Petah Tikvah 3 as an agricultural settlement, he helped establish two of the first neighborhoods in Jerusalem outside the Old City walls, Nahalat Shiva and Mea She’arim. The song turns Salomon’s incredible story into a magical fairy tale. Valley Song, 1939 – Poet Nathan Alterman’s lyric was originally written for “The Land of Promise,” a documentary film commissioned by JDC (the Jewish Distribution Committee) and made in order to encourage Jews to settle in Palestine, or at least support Zionism in spirit and donations. The Valley Song soon turned into a cherished folk song, combining pastoral scenery and unpleasant echoes of conflict and warfare. Arik Einstein recorded his cover to it in one of his “Good Old Eretz Israel” albums, which combined reimagined renditions to cherished ever-green Israeli songs, and new songs about old days. Please Do Not Tell Me Goodbye, 1948 – This popular tango was originally written during the War of Independence and performed by Yafa Yarkoni in Tel Aviv’s popular cafés and dance clubs. It was rather controversial at the time because of its “cabaret” style, very different from most other patriotic war songs that had a more socialist-kibbutznik-Eastern European feel to them, rather than this bourgeois tango. Additionally, it was criticized for using the term “war is a dream” (milchama hi halom). Einstein’s rendition of the song was released in 1996. This is another example of his ability to resurrect classic Israeli songs and popularize them in contemporary Israeli culture Elifelet – This song was written by poet Nathan Alterman in 1959, and originally performed by his daughter Tirtsa Atar, herself a poet. It is an ode to the anti-hero, the ordinary soldier, telling the story of the innocent, regular Israeli boy who is forced into heroism during war. Every Israeli knows their altruistic “Elifelet,” there are far too many of them in a society ripe with conflict and need for self-sacrifice. This song is one of many played on repeat on Israel’s Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day. On the Reserve, 1967 – Hachalonot Hagvohim, the High Windows Trio, that Eisntein was a member of, recorded, shortly after the Six Days War this song. Unlike most of the songs written before, during and after this short, yet heroic campaign, which were super patriotic, this one was a fun parody on the other side of militaristic life. That of milu’im, reserve duty. Chocolate Soldier*** – Written in 1966 by Hanoch Levin, renowned Israeli playwright and poet (and recorded in 1967, by Hachalonot Hagvohim, the High Windows Trio, that Eisntein was a member of, shortly before the Six Days War). Levin is known for his politically harsh and controversial satirical plays and anti-war cabarets. This song gives a truly sardonic, disillusioned picture of soldiers going to war. Shortly after its release it was endowed with a much more provocative flair. *** Note: the lyrics may not be appropriate for all age groups! *** A City Dressed in White, 1960, 1984 – Early in his career, Einstein was one of the original performers of Naomi Shemer's "A City Dressed in White," an ode to Tel Aviv, its restless pace and its Bauhaus special aesthetics. Later he rerecorded it. This is the first of many of Arik Einstein's songs dedicated to Tel Aviv. Some of the lyrics were written by him, whereas many others were based on poems by poets such as Nathan Alterman. In his Tel Aviv Songs, Arik Einstein declares his unconditional love to his hometown: the urban magic, the 4 Hebrew secular lifestyle, the culture oozing from every street corner, and most of all: HaPo'el Tel Aviv Basketball & Soccer teams that he admired so much, even though “the red devils” usually lost… Shabbat Baboker, 1989 – A children’s song about Shabbat in Tel Aviv, a very secular experience. This children's poem was written by Tirtsa Atar, Nathan Alterman's daughter (the original performer of Elifelet).