Shoshana Damari

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Ofra Haza. (YouTube screenshot)

Riches to rags to virtual riches: When Mizrahi artists said ‘no’ to Israel’s pioneer culture

Upon their arrival in Israel, Mizrahi Jews found themselves under a regime that demanded obedience, even in cultural matters. All were required to conform to an idealized pioneer figure who sang classical, militaristic ‘Hebrew’ songs. That is, before the ‘Kasetot’ era propelled Mizrahi artists into the spotlight, paving the way for today’s musical stars. Part two of…

By Haokets December 14, 2013

‘Israel’s Umm Kulthum’ invokes shades of grey in Zionist identity

She sang of love and of land and was known as the Queen of Hebrew music. Five years ago this Valentine’s Day, the unique voice that ushered in a country’s birth and carried it through adolescence went silent. On Monday, on the fifth anniversary of her death, I visited Shoshana Damari’s grave in Tel Aviv’s…

By Roee Ruttenberg February 14, 2011