Posthumous Album for Israeli Legend
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Crossposted from Haaretz
Nearly six years after his death at the age of 73, the multitalented performer Yossi Banai remains an icon of Israeli culture. Next month will see the release of the album the writer, actor, singer and dramatist was working on when he died, in May 2006.
The album, “Old Songs,” consists of Banai’s words, set to music composed and performed by some of Israel’s best-known musicians. The first single, performed by Berry Sakharof, will reach radio stations on Wednesday.
Banai’s collaborators on the album included a son, Yuval Banai, and a nephew, Ehud Banai. “Old Songs” was completed after Banai’s family, including his widow, Aviva, gave their blessing to the Helicon recording company.
Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
, editor-in-chiefSupport our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
