ISRAEL - SHOSHANA DAMARI - OFFICIAL MEDAL 2007 - Gold 585 , 17g , 30.5 mm Only 120 units were ...

ISRAEL - SHOSHANA DAMARI - OFFICIAL MEDAL 2007 - Gold 585 , 17g , 30.5 mm Only 120 units were issued from this medal. Israeli singer Shoshana Damari was born in Yemen in 1923 and came to Eretz Israel while still an infant. As a child she performed with her mother and at age 14 she began to sing on the radio. Her first solo concert appearance was at age 16. In 1945 writer Natan Alterman and composer Moshe Vilenski wrote the song “Calaniot” (Anemones) which was a huge success and became Shoshana Damari’s signature song. Her performances before and in the years following the establishment of the State of Israel came to symbolize the young nation and her strong alto voice with its Yemenite intonation introduced Middle Eastern music to Israeli culture. Damari became a “musical ambassador” for Israel, including appearances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York. In 1988 she was awarded the Israel Prize for her contribution to Israeli vocal music. With her unmistakable voice, flowing gowns, elaborate earrings, and vivacious personality, Shoshana Damari was the undisputed Queen of Israeli Music. Shoshana Damari died in February 2006. The medal issue was overseen by a Public Committee: Naava Bosmi (the daughter of Shoshana Damari), Nahum Bosmi, Gila Almagor, Yitzhak Navon, Benny Gaon, Avigdor Kahalani, and Doron Levinson. We acknowledge the contribution of the Association for the Enhancement of the Culture of Yemenite Jewry. We thank Natan Slor for permission to use words from “Calaniot” by Natan Alterman on the medal. Obverse: On the face of the medal, the likeness of Shoshana Damari in performance. Reverse: On the reverse, anemones along with words from the song “Calaniot” by Natan Alterman.