A Tribute: Ishai Levi &
Esther (Astar) Shamir
Ishai Levi - A Voice That Never Let
Go
Ishay Levi / Yishai Levi's voice was the kind that could crack open a heart warm, raw,
unmistakably human. Born on January 20, 1963, he rose from the clubs of
Rosh HaAyin to become one of the defining voices of Mizrahi music. On June
7, 2026, that voice fell silent, but his songs kept echoing everywhere in
taxis, in kitchens, in memories reminding everyone that even a troubled life
can leave behind pure light.
Ishai left behind a soundtrack that shaped generations. “Silchi Li
Yalda” (Translated Lyrics) remains one of his most emotional performances, a plea wrapped in
longing. The song even inspired a beautiful dance by Shmulik Gov-Ari,
taught in 2020 at Camp Shelanu in Los Angeles, where dancers connected
deeply to Ishai’s voice through movement. (Video reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heuTOBOBUD8)
“Tzel Etz Tamar”
carried his signature blend of ache and beauty, while “Rikud Romanti” and “Ha’Achat Sheli” showed how
effortlessly he could move between longing, warmth, and tenderness. These songs
raw, honest, unforgettable are the reason his voice still feels alive.
When news of his passing spread, artists across Israel responded with an
outpouring of love. Singers who grew up on his music shared stories of learning
to imitate his cracked, aching delivery. Younger Mizrahi artists called him a
trailblazer who opened doors they now walk through. Radio stations played his
songs on loop, and fellow musicians posted clips of themselves singing “Silchi
Li Yalda” and other songs in his honor not as performances, but as
farewells. It was clear that Ishai Levi didn’t just leave behind hits; he left
behind a community that felt his loss deeply.
In the days that followed, tribute concerts formed almost spontaneously.
Veteran singers spoke about how Iishai’s courage both in his music and in his
struggles helped redefine what authenticity in Israeli music could sound like.
Others described him as a brother, a fighter, a soul who sang with every scar
visible. Even artists from outside the Mizrahi world paused their own releases
to honor him, acknowledging that his voice had become part of the country’s
emotional DNA.
Esther (Astar) Shamir The Poet Who
Wrote in Light
Esther Shamir, one of the pioneering voices of Israeli rock and one of the
country’s most courageous and groundbreaking songwriters, passed away on June
11, 2026, at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. She died peacefully,
surrounded by her family.
Shamir’s career began in the legendary Nahal entertainment troupe, where
many of Israel’s greatest performers first found their voice. At just 21, she
wrote the lyrics to “Avarti Rak Kedei Lirot” (“I Passed By Just to See”), which
became an instant classic and helped launch her career as a defining creative
force in Israeli music. Over the decades, she released multiple albums
including her breakthrough 1982 record Bamakom Hachi Namuch B’Tel Aviv
and collaborated with some of Israel’s most iconic artists: Gali Atari, Yehudit
Ravitz, Rita, Shlomo Artzi, Yardena Arazi, Yehuda Poliker, Nurit Galron, and
many more. Her songs became woven into the soundtrack of Israeli life, sung
across generations, and they continue to resonate today with younger artists
who still study her intimate, poetic writing style.
“Gachliliot”
(Fireflies) Her Softest Lantern
Among her most beloved works is “Gachliliot” (Fireflies)- (English Translation) a song that glows with memory, innocence, and
the small sparks we carry from childhood into adulthood. It is one of the
pieces that cemented her reputation as a writer who could turn emotion into
poetry and poetry into music. The song even inspired a gentle Israeli dance
that reflects the same glowing softness as her lyrics, showing how her work
continues to move people literally across generations. Here is the dance clip: https://youtu.be/ZvDacr2Wrys
A Legacy of
Courage and Creativity
Shamir was celebrated not only for her artistry but also for her leadership.
She served on the board of ACUM, advocating for the rights and welfare of
Israeli creators. In 2023, she received a special ACUM prize honoring her
lifelong contribution to Israeli culture.
In her final months, she spoke openly about facing terminal cancer with
honesty, bravery, and love for the people around her. Even then, she continued
creating, releasing “Betzad Hasheni Shel Hapachad” (“On the Other Side of
Fear”) shortly before her passing.
Her songs remain glowing like fireflies guiding listeners back to the
moments, memories, and emotions she captured so fearlessly. And today, her
influence continues to shape Israeli music and storytelling: her lyrical style
became a model for emotional honesty, her collaborations helped define the
sound of Israel’s greatest performers, and her courage inspired others to speak
more openly about vulnerability and resilience. Esther Shamir’s legacy is still
alive in every singer who chooses truth over polish, and in every listener who
finds a spark of themselves inside her words.
"Fireflies" - From an evening of tribute to the wonderful creator Esther Shamir in a moving performance by Dafna Dekel
