Yehoram Gaon
יהורם גאון
Singer, actor & cultural icon — 'the voice of Jerusalem' · b. 1939
Biography
Yehoram Gaon was born in Jerusalem in 1939 to a Sephardic family whose roots in the city go back generations. He served in the Nahal Brigade entertainment troupe and became one of Israel's most beloved performers.
His career spans over 60 years and dozens of albums, from 'Havatzelet HaGalil' (1969) to 'Lo Tnatzu Oti' (1984). He also starred in Israeli film and television, including the classic series 'Lool' and the film 'Mivtza Yonatan'.
Gaon's warm baritone and Jerusalem accent made him a bridge between Ashkenazi and Sephardi musical traditions; he recorded songs in Ladino, Hebrew and Arabic, and is widely seen as a living archive of Israeli song.
He received the Israel Prize in 2016 for his lifetime contribution to Israeli culture.
Quick facts
- Born
- Jerusalem, 1939
- This song
- 'Emtza HaDerech', 1984
- Signature songs
- 'Havatzelet HaGalil', 'Lo Tnatzu Oti', 'Yerushalayim'
- Israel Prize
- 2016
Songs by Yehoram Gaon with Hebrew lyrics
Culture quiz: Yehoram Gaon & Israel
Test what you know about Yehoram Gaon, the song's Hebrew words and Israeli culture.
Yehoram Gaon was born in which city?