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Dana International's Legendary Manager Shai Kerem Dies at 61

By i24NEWS, רוני שצ'וצ'ינסקי

Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba

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Hebrew · 9 newsrooms covering

Shai Kerem, the legendary manager of singer Dana International and a notable figure in Israeli entertainment, died Sunday at age 61 from cardiac arrest. Kerem, who began as a journalist, was key to Dana International's career, including her 1998 Eurovision win with "Diva." He also appeared on various TV shows and hosted a podcast. He is survived by two children.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Shai Kerem, Dana International's manager, died Sunday at 61 from cardiac arrest.
Kerem was instrumental in Dana International's career, including her 1998 Eurovision win.
He began his career as a journalist for Israeli publications.
Kerem also appeared on television and created a docu-reality series.
His final interview aired just nine days before his death.

Dana International's Legendary Manager Shai Kerem Dies at 61 — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Shai Kerem, the longtime manager of singer Dana International and a prominent figure in the Israeli entertainment industry, passed away on Sunday at the age of 61. His brother, Alon Weinstock, announced his death on Facebook. Kerem died of cardiac arrest just nine days after giving his final interview on the program "Galit Ve'Ilana." Kerem began his career as an entertainment journalist and editor for publications including "HaOlam HaZeh," "Yedioth Ahronoth," and "Rosh Echad." In the early 1990s, he met Yaron Cohen, who would later become Dana International, and was instrumental in building her career. He is credited with adding the "International" to her name, as he recounted in an interview last year. Their collaboration reached its peak in 1998 when Dana International won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Diva." Kerem left his journalism job to accompany her to Birmingham, serving as artistic director and producer for the song. He managed her career for nearly three decades, including her participation in Eurovision in 2008 with the song "Kacholo Kacham." Beyond his work with Dana International, Kerem became a recognizable television personality in recent years. He served as a judge on "Yeshnan Bnot," hosted the podcast "Dana Lo Kama," competed on "HaMitbakh HaMennatzeach VIP," and created the docu-reality series "Dana Kama" with the singer, which earned him an Israeli Television Academy Award. Last year, he stood by Dana International during her participation in the Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony, amidst calls for her boycott. In his final interview, aired Friday, he spoke again about their relationship and shared journey. Kerem is survived by his two children.