Israeli Children's Songwriter Lea Naor Celebrates 91 Years with New Exhibition and Reflects on Life and Legacy
Lea Naor, a renowned Israeli children's songwriter and author, recently celebrated her 91st birthday and opened a new exhibition titled "Naor Illustration" at the Beit Yad Labanim gallery in Ra'anana. The exhibition, led by Yudi Marton and initiated by Roni Winterov, deputy mayor of Ra'anana, features beautiful new illustrations inspired by Naor's beloved children's songs, including two new songs she contributed. Naor, a longtime resident of Herzliya and wife of historian Dr. Moti Naor, has written countless iconic children's songs and stories, including the famous "Joyful Choir," which has been performed over a hundred times.
Naor's career spans decades and includes writing scripts for popular children's TV shows such as "Chag Li," "Carousel," and "Stories from the Pocket," as well as translating many children's books, notably a series of 35 Dr. Seuss titles. One of her songs, "Come, Mother," composed in 1968 with Edward Kolmanovsky and sung by Osnat Paz, has become an anthem for the "Shift 101" mothers' protest near the Knesset, calling for the return of their kidnapped children.
Naor also collaborated with prominent Israeli composers like Nahum Heyman, Sasha Argov, and Moshe Wilensky, creating musicals such as "Seeds of Gum" and "Andandino." She was a founding member of Kibbutz Nahal Oz, where she worked as a gardener and cultural committee member alongside her husband. The couple left the kibbutz after the Sinai Campaign, feeling their role there was complete. The 2011 massacre at Nahal Oz deeply affected them, and although the community is rebuilding, many families remain hesitant to return.
Despite her advanced age and physical challenges, Naor remains creatively active, updating her website and reflecting on her legacy. She expresses concern about Israel's future, fearing internal conflict despite political changes. She has lost many close friends over the years but continues to hope her songs will resonate with new generations. Naor's wish for the coming years is good health and support in managing her extensive body of work.
Summary: Israeli children's songwriter Lea Naor, aged 91, opened a new exhibition inspired by her songs and reflected on her long career, personal life, and hopes for Israel's future. Despite physical challenges, she remains creatively active and concerned about the country's direction.
Points: - Lea Naor, 91, opened an exhibition showcasing illustrations inspired by her children's songs. - She wrote iconic songs like "Joyful Choir" and translated many Dr. Seuss books into Hebrew. - Her song "Come, Mother" became an anthem for mothers protesting kidnappings near the Knesset. - Naor co-created musicals and wrote for popular Israeli children's TV programs. - She and her husband left Kibbutz Nahal Oz after the Sinai Campaign; the 2011 massacre there deeply affected them. - Despite age-related difficulties, Naor continues writing and updating her work, expressing concern for Israel's future.
Topic: culture israel_relevant: true Entities: people: ["Lea Naor", "Moti Naor", "Nahum Heyman", "Osnat Paz", "Edward Kolmanovsky", "Roni Winterov", "Yudi Marton", "Sasha Argov", "Moshe Wilensky", "Dalia Friedland", "Yoram Taharlev", "Esther Sofer", "Naomi Polani", "Mordechai Naor"] organizations: ["Beit Yad Labanim", "Shift 101", "Knesset", "Kibbutz Nahal Oz", "Galey Tzahal"] places: ["Herzliya", "Ra'anana", "Tel Aviv", "Nahal Oz", "Israel"]
