obituaries Obituaries from page 69 The Father Of Israeli Rock Jessica Steinberg Times of Israel W hen an icon as beloved and talented as Arik Einstein dies suddenly, the reactions are strong, emotional and raw Einstein, 74, suffered a severe aortic aneurysm at his Tel Aviv home on Nov. 26 and was declared dead soon afterwards. Considered the father of Israeli rock, the musician, who moved the country from its early folk standards to a moderately harder-hitting rock ethos, symbolized the spirit of the State of Israel. He was not just a musician but a musical icon who accom- panied, and inspired, the country and its people through its ongoing history and, along the way, managed to resonate with every type of Israeli. "Arik is the soundtrack of my life said Geva Alon, a rock/folk singer and song- writer. "He was a musical father to me and to so many others. What a huge loss." Einstein's music was and is the soundtrack of road trips, army bases and American Jewish summer camps. His are the songs heard in the car, at the beach, during Independence Day events, after terrorist attacks; his were the songs heard throughout the dark days following the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. For many, he represented the musical counterpart to Israel's steady development — the sabra ability to bring something new to the mix, but in a manner that invit- ed the rest of society to participate. An easygoing, modest personality, he was also, in many ways, an early entrepreneur. Einstein was known for his open- mindedness and his massive knowledge of music and how to produce what he heard, consistently putting his ego to the side, said entertainer Uzi Essner. "What is Israeli? Arik Einstein:' he said. "When I'm doing a night of Israeli music and I want to draw a huge audience, I use his music. They're songs that wouldn't have gotten sung if it weren't for Arik Einstein." The son of actor Yaakov Einstein, Arik got his start in the IDF Nahal Brigade entertainment corps. Like other Israeli musicians, he kept a foot in the act- ing world, first joining the Batzal Yarok entertainment troupe, together with the now-legendary Haim Topol and Gila Almagor, and then the Yarkon Bridge Trio with equally renowned Yehoram Gaon and Benny Amdursky He also made films with Uri Zohar, who directed the two in movies depicting life in what was then bohemian Tel Aviv, set in the northern parts of the city, near the beach, an area that was then home to many artists and musicians. Einstein was the one, say many, who made Tel Aviv hip and cool. Einstein collaborated with others. But throughout, he produced solo albums that remained true to his sound — a folksy kind of rock sung in a firm but gentle baritone in which each word and concept was carefully enunciated. And those lyrics often illuminate how every Israeli feels about any given situation, whatever the year or decade. He sang about traveling abroad in "San Francisco" but wanting to return home "to the swamp:" He sang from the point of view of soldiers on guard duty and about the pleasures of a cup of tea drunk on one's apartment balcony. He sang for children and for optimists; he sang for the Arik Einstein elderly and the pained. For teachers and educators, camp coun- selors and youth group leaders, Einstein's were the songs for around the campfire. "I would teach Ani VeAta' (`Me and You') because of its symbolism, about leaving a mark for beginnings and inspi- rations, and then `Uf Gozal' (`Fly Away Young Chick') because it reflected on so many situations in life said Moshe Gold, who directs short-term programs at Ramah Israel and has taught American high school students spending a semester in Israel. "The thing is, Israeli kids love the same songs. He would pronounce each word so perfectly; it's like a speech. They became songs that transcend cultures." ❑ 111 TRANSFORMING LOSS TRANSFORMING LOSS A DOCUMENTARY Helping The Grieving Process Through Film "Each person transforms his or her loss into a force for good and living with purpose" Congratulations to local filmmaker and therapist Judith Burdick. -Manley Rich Keenan, Detroit News Her important film "Transforming Loss" recently won three awards including "Best Michigan Documentary" at the "Crazy Transformation... an opportunity to become EXTRAORDINARY powerful!" -Rabbi E.B. (Bunny) Freedman. Director of The Jewish Hospice Chaplaincy Network. West Bioarritneid ° A perfect balance Uptown Film Festival. of loss and hope" -David recliner. Past President of the Ml Funeral Directors Association and Owner of The Ira Kaufman Chapel To learn more about the film visit www.transforminglossdocumentary.com "A very honest film" -Pat Lynch. Pest President of the MI and Natrona? 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