July 13: Naomi Shemer

Israeli singer and songwriter Naomi Shemer, who wrote “Yerushalayim shel zahav” (Jerusalem of Gold) in 1967 and won the Israel Prize in 1983 for her contributions to Israeli culture, was born in the Galilee on this date in 1930. Her song was released before the Six-Day War, and she expanded it after the reunification of Jerusalem under Israeli rule. Peace activist Uri Avnery, while a member of the Knesset, proposed in 1968 that the song be adopted as Israel’s national anthem. Deservedly known as “the first lady of Israeli song and poetry,” Shemer wrote many other anthem-like, emotional songs with a rich sense of landscape and history, which were hugely popular in Israel and led her to be named the sixth most important Israeli of all time in 2005 a YNet poll, shortly after her death. “The idea I started with was the Talmudic legend I remembered from my school days about Rabbi Akiva, who lived in poverty, in a hayloft with his beloved wife Rahel, who had been disowned by her father. As he plucked the hay out of her hair, he promised her that one day he would become wealthy and buy her a Jerusalem of Gold [a tiara].... The phrase ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ suddenly shone in my memory as if to say, ‘Here I am,’ and I realized it would be the cornerstone of my song.” —Naomi Shemer Ofra Haza sings “Yerushalayim shel zahav” (Jerusalem of Gold) at Pa’amoney Hayovel (Jubilee Bells), the national celebration commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel; Hebrew University Stadium, Jerusalem, Israel; Thursday, April 30, 1998 Avir harim tzalul kayayin Vereiach oranim, Nisa beru’ach ha’arbayim Im kol pa’amonim. Uvetardemat ilan va’even Shvuyah bachalomah, Ha’ir asher badad yoshevet Uvelibah chomah. Yerushalayim shel zahav Veshel nechoshet veshel or Halo lechol shirayich ani kinor. Yerushalayim shel zahav Veshel nechoshet veshel or Halo lechol shirayich ani kinor. Chazarnu el borot hamayim Lashuk velakikar, Shofar kore behar habayit ba’ir ha’atikah. Uvame’arot asher baselah Alfei shmashot zorchot, Nashuv nered el yam hamelach Bederech Yericho! Yerushalayim shel zahav Veshel nechoshet veshel or Halo lechol shirayich ani kinor. Yerushalayim shel zahav Veshel nechoshet veshel or Halo lechol shirayich ani kinor. Ach bevo’i hayom lashir lach Velach lik’shor k’tarim, Katonti mitze’ir bana’ich Ume’acharon ham’shorerim. Ki shmech tzorev et hasfatayim Keneshikat saraf , Im eshkachech Yerushalayim Asher kulah zahav... Yerushalayim shel zahav Veshel nechoshet veshel or Halo lechol shirayich ani kinor. Yerushalayim shel zahav Veshel nechoshet veshel or Halo lechol shirayich ani kinor. The mountain air is clear as wine And the scent of pines Is carried on the breeze of twilight With the sound of bells. And in the slumber of tree and stone Captured in her dream The city that sits solitary And in its midst is a wall. Jerusalem of gold And of bronze, and of light Behold I am a violin for all your songs. Jerusalem of gold And of bronze, and of light Behold I am a violin for all your songs. We have returned to the cisterns To the market and to the market-place A ram’s horn calls out on the Temple Mount In the Old City. And in the caves in the mountain Thousands of suns shine - We will once again descend to the Dead Sea By way of Jericho! Jerusalem of gold And of bronze, and of light Behold I am a violin for all your songs. Jerusalem of gold And of bronze, and of light Behold I am a violin for all your songs. But as I come to sing to you today, And to adorn crowns to you I am the smallest of the youngest of your children And of the last poet. For your name scorches the lips Like the kiss of a seraph If I forget thee, Jerusalem, Which is all gold... Jerusalem of gold And of bronze, and of light Behold I am a violin for all your songs. Jerusalem of gold And of bronze, and of light Behold I am a violin for all your songs. Words/Music: Naomi Shemer Transliteration: www.hebrewsongs.com Translation: www.hebrewsongs.com