Naomi Shemer

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Naomi Shemer (1931-June 26, 2004) was one of Israel's most important and prolific song writers, considered by some "the First Lady of Israeli Song". Shemer wrote both words and lyrics to her own songs, composed music to words by others (such as the poet Rachel), and set Hebrew words to internationally known tunes (such as "Hey Jude" by the Beatles); she has probably made more lasting contributions to Israeli song than any other single songwriter. Due to her virtuosic use of language, Shemer has also been called a poet, though her published writing was always set to music.

Naomi Shemer was born and raised in Kvutsat Kinneret, a kibbutz of which her parents were founders. In the 1950's she served in the Israeli Defense Force's Nahal entertainment troupe, studied music at the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem, and returned to Kinneret to teach and write songs for preschool children, before ultimately settling in Tel-Aviv.

In 1983 she received the Israel prize for her contribution to Israeli culture.

Several of Naomi Shemer's songs have the quality of anthems, striking deep national and emotional chords in the hearts of Israelis. Her most famous song of this vein is "Yerushalayim shel zahav" ("Jerusalem of gold"). She wrote this in 1967, some days before the start of the Six Day War, when Israel captured East Jerusalem and the Western Wall became accessible again for Jews. In 1968 an Israeli Member of Parliament presented a bill to the Knesset speaker, nominating this song for the anthem of Israel; the nomination was ultimately rejected, but this incident speaks to the power of Shemer's songs.

Naomi Shemer also wrote many songs for children, including songs for each of the Jewish holidays.

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