Notes from Cantor Avima

     If you don't recognize his name, I am sure you will recognize his warm, smooth voice. Listen to one of his most popular songs Od Lo Ahavti Dai (I Haven't Loved Enough)  This song, (I haven't Loved Enough) was written by Naomi Shemer,  recorded by Yehoram Gaon and choreographed as a dance by Yankele Levy in 1977. Yehoram Gaon was born in 1939 in Jerusalem. His father, Moshe David Gaon was born in Sarajevo to a Sephardic family and was a scholar of Ladino. His father met Sarah Hakim while he was teaching in Turkey. They married and he brought her to Jerusalem.  

     Yehoram started his music career in the same way as many Israeli artists did - while serving in the Nahal Brigade in the army. (I can't help but wonder if other armies turn out as many musicians as the IDF). He left the country to study acting and returned in 1966 to play the starring role in a hit musical called Kazablan which was later made into a movie in 1974 with Yehoram reprising the title role. Kazablan - Kol HaKavod . He also has several other acting credits including the role of Yonatan Netanyahu in the film "Operation Thunderbolt" about the Entebbe rescue operation. 

     Yehoram Gaon has recorded, produced and been featured in dozens of recordings. I especially have enjoyed some of his recordings that feature Sephardic songs. Many of you may be familiar with this song: Cuando El Rey Nimrod . He did a film called "From Toledo to Jerusalem" filmed on location in Spain  documenting the story of Sephardic Jewry in song. It is narrated completely in Ladino (with subtitles) by Yehoram Gaon who of course also sings all the songs. I highly recommend it! Here is a clip on youtube. From Toledo to Jerusalem Part I

     Among Yehoram Gaon's most popular hits during wartime is the well known heart wrenching song, "Ani Mavtiach Lach/The Last War". Written by Eyal Golan for the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the chorus promises that "this will be the last war". The translated lyrics of the first stanza: For all the tank corps soldiers with their dusty faces, Who survived all the enemy fire and grueling fighting, For all the sailors who attacked the ports, Their eyes caked heavy with salt from the seas... I promise you - my loittle girl, that this will be the last war.  Clearly, it was not the last war. Listen to the song: Ani Mavtiach Lach / The Last War. Naomi Shemer wrote a beautiful song, "Lo T'natzchu Oti/ You Will Not Defeat Me"  which Yehoram Gaon first recorded in 1984. Yehoram Gaon recorded an uplifting video with the choirs of the IDF in response to our current war:  Lo t'natzchu Oti . If you want to hear more of Yehoram Gaon, I suggest you do what I did... search for him on your favorite music app and youtube. It might keep you busy listening for a long time!