The Israeli Navy Band () was an ensemble of the

Israeli Navy The Israeli Navy (, ''Ḥeil HaYam HaYisraeli'', ; ) is the Israel Defense Forces#Arms, naval warfare service arm of the Israel Defense Forces, operating primarily in the Mediterranean Sea theater as well as the Gulf of Eilat and the Red Sea th ...

, and was one of many in the

Israel Defense Force The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; , ), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym (), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and ...

(IDF). The band enjoyed its greatest success in the years after the

Six-Day War The Six-Day War, also known as the June War, 1967 Arab–Israeli War or Third Arab–Israeli War, was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states, primarily United Arab Republic, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan from 5 to 10June ...

, with many songs by them from this period either becoming

standards Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object t ...

or hits.

History

Early years

The navy band first appeared in October 1948. The band consisted of 13 active duty soldiers. Since their commanders did not oversee their activities, expenses began to pile up and the band was disbanded. In the early 1960s, a officers from the

Education and Youth Corps The Education and Youth Corps (, ''Heil HaHinuh VeHaNo'ar'') is a corps of the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) Personnel Directorate responsible for the education of IDF personnel. Its mission purpose it to instruct and develop "national values" amo ...

asked a group of reservists to form the ''Lehakat Kheil Hayam'' (Naval Corps Entertainment Group). Its early members included Dan Almagor,

Rivka Zohar Rivka Zohar (, ; June 30, 1948) is an Israeli singer. Biography Rivka Zinati (later Zohar) was born and raised in Akko, Israel. Her father, Aaron Zinati, was a fire chief. Zohar studied in Akko, and in the agricultural school in Nahalal. Rivka' ...

, and Meir Noy. Upon its creation, it immediately began rehearsing for the program '' Ve BaYom HaShlishi'' ("And On The Third Day"). In 1967, the Navy Band performed the song "Mah Avarekh" written by

Rachel Shapira Rachel Shapira (; born July 25, 1945) is an Israeli songwriter and poet. She rose to prominence after the Six-Day War with her anti-war song "''Mah Avarekh''" ("With What Shall I Bless?"), set to music by Yair Rosenblum, and went on to write some ...

in memory of a young man from her Kibbutz who fell in the

. The band performed at internal naval events, especially during the Sea Corps celebrations, and in the mid-1960s active duty soldiers were also incorporated as a part-time life crew. When the decision was made in the Navy to form a representative band, the Six-Day War broke out and only afterwards were the resources allocated to form the band.

1970s

In the 1970s, the band continued its momentum of success even after the band's release of previous programs. The band even won the Israel Band of the Year award in 1970 and 1972 as part of the annual Hebrew chart parade and hits such as "Haska", "Only the Sea Is Silent", and "On the Road" captured the radio. Like many bands, the Yom Kippur War marked the end of the glamor period. The band's plans were not as successful as its predecessors, and towards the end of 1975 the band was disbanded. Prominent alumni of the band during this period were Haya Arad, Oded Ben-Hur, Yael Levy, Albert Piamente and Uzi Asner.

1980s and present

Despite the establishment of the military bands in the 1980s in most of the commands and arms, the Navy did not re-establish a band. The Variety Ensemble of the Israeli Navy currently serves as the Premier musical unit of the navy.

Netta Barzilai Netta Barzilai (, ; born 22 January 1993), also known mononymously as Netta, is an Israeli singer. After winning Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018#HaKokhav HaBa L'Eurovizion, the fifth season of ''HaKokhav HaBa'', she earned the right ...

, who is an Israeli singer, recording artist, and looping artist, as well as a winner of the fifth season of ''

HaKokhav HaBa ''HaKokhav HaBa'' (; ) is an Israeli interactive reality singing competition, created by Keshet Media Group and broadcast on Channel 2 (from 2013 to 2017) and on Channel 12 (since 2017). It is the basis of the ''Rising Star'' franchise. The ...

'', also winner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest (with her famous song "

Toy A toy or plaything is an object that is used primarily to provide entertainment. Simple examples include toy blocks, board games, and dolls. Toys are often designed for use by children, although many are designed specifically for adults and p ...

") was a member of the band.

Notable members

Among the prominent alumni of the band: *

Shlomo Artzi Shlomo Artzi (; born 26 November 1949) is an Israeli folk rock musician, composer, music producer, radio host and singer-songwriter. He is one of the most popular and successful musicians in Israel. Biography Shlomo Artzi was born on Moshav ...

Riki Gal Riki Gal (; born July 7, 1950, in Jerusalem) is an Israeli singer. Gal, who reached the height of her career in the 1980s, sings a mix of blues, folk and pop. Biography Rivka Menashe (later Riki Gal) was born in 1950 to an Orthodox family in the ...

Dov Glickman Dov Glickman (; born 22 December 1949) is an Israeli film, television and theatre actor. Biography Dov Glickman was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, to a Hiloni, secular Jewish family. His History of the Jews in Russia, Russian Jewish parents Shlomo an ...

References

{{Authority control Israeli Navy Israeli military bands 1948 establishments in Israel 1975 disestablishments in Israel Military units and formations established in 1948 Navy music