Gilad Ben Shach, Radio Editor and Composer, Dies at 85

Gilad Ben Shach, a founding member of Radio Network Gimel and its former head of entertainment, has passed away at the age of 85. Ben Shach was instrumental in establishing the station in the summer of 1976 and subsequently served as its entertainment department director, overseeing numerous programs in the following decades.

His musical career began in the 1960s, composing and translating songs for artists like Ilan and Ilanit. He penned hits for them such as "Every Person Has a Star," "Diary Pages," and "Violets," as well as Ilanit's "A Day of Riddles."

Ben Shach joined Kol Yisrael (the national broadcaster) in the late 1960s, becoming the first music editor for the program "At Half Past Noon." He also edited shows like "Qeshet Ve'efreches" and "It Amuses Me."

After the establishment of Radio Network Gimel, alongside his role as entertainment director, Ben Shach edited popular programs including "On the Safe Side," for which he also wrote the opening theme song, "A Song Like That," "Lawn Legend," "Sweeter Than Before," "Native of the Land," "Parade of Parades," and "The Pale Pale Track Marathon." He also curated song collections like "Milestones" and "50 Years, 50 Songs - Israel's Jubilee Album," and directed the Ein Gev Festival.

His funeral is scheduled for Friday at 11:30 AM at the Gedera cemetery.