Israeli Sisters Release Debut Album Honoring Late Filmmaker Father Yehuda Jad Neeman
On his 84th birthday, acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Yehuda Jad Neeman, recipient of the Israel Prize for cinema, asked his daughters, Liba and Renana, to record two of his favorite songs as a gift: the American folk song "Joe Hill" and the Soviet war song "Tyomnaya Noch." Neeman passed away a few months later, and the songs became a poignant farewell tribute, performed by the sisters at his funeral. This emotional collaboration sparked a musical partnership culminating in their debut album "Tnashmat," dedicated to their father.
The album, released by Nana Disc, features seven Hebrew dream-pop songs inspired by 1990s bands like Cocteau Twins and Mazzy Star, blended with alternative rock elements. Produced by electronic musician Shlomo Yossefi, the record combines synthesizers, drum machines, guitars, violin, harp, and vocal harmonies to create a poetic and personal yet politically charged work. Only one song, "I Once Had," directly addresses their father's death.
Liba (36) and Renana (35) grew up in Tel Aviv in an intellectually and politically engaged family. Their father, a pioneering filmmaker and former head of Tel Aviv University's Film and Television Department, was also a doctor. Their mother, Talma Hendler, is a respected psychiatrist and brain researcher. Both sisters are accomplished musicians, Liba on violin and Renana on harp, and have pursued impressive academic and activist careers in law, human rights, and history.
The sisters describe their music as a way to keep their father’s memory alive and fulfill his dream of collaborating together. They acknowledge the challenges of working as siblings but emphasize their deep connection and shared values, including feminism and political activism. Their upbringing was culturally rich, exposed to classical and popular music, film, and art, which deeply influenced their creative expression.
Renana has previously released two indie albums and studied refugee and migration issues at Oxford, while Liba has worked as a human rights lawyer and film producer. Their new album represents both a tribute to their father and a fusion of their artistic and ideological identities, blending personal loss with broader social themes.
