The Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, in partnership with the Jerusalem municipality, launched an exhibition on July 10 celebrating the life of the legendary Yehoram Gaon.
Inspired by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, “Yehoram Gaon—The Exhibition” is a fitting tribute to the Jerusalem-born-and-raised cultural icon, whose music and films have thrilled Israelis since the 1960s. In 2004, he received the Israel Prize for his significant contributions to Hebrew song, among other prestigious awards.
“Yehoram Gaon is the soundtrack of Israeli life,” said Lion, a close friend of Gaon. “This exhibition offers a moving and personal journey into his remarkable legacy and the collective memories of generations.”
An immensely talented singer, actor, director and radio and television host, Gaon left a lasting mark on the country that extends beyond artistic achievement. His music and films, along with his activism, helped shape Israeli society for the better.
In the early decades of the state, Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews faced profound discrimination by the Ashkenazi elite, which limited even their access to educational and employment opportunities.
Notably, Gaon played the leading role in the hit 1973 Israeli musical film “Kazablan,” which highlighted the social tensions in a young country with immigrants from diverse cultures. The movie, based on a popular play written in 1954 and staged in the 1950s and 1960s, raised greater awareness of the inequality and helped bring about meaningful change.
Among other high-profile roles, he starred as Yonatan (Yoni) Netanyahu, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s older brother, in “Mivtza Yonatan” (Operation Thunderbolt) in 1977. The exhibition features all his films with English subtitles.
Gaon, a former deputy mayor of Jerusalem as well as a member of the Jerusalem City Council in charge of culture, is still active in civic affairs, including organizations such as the Committee for the Advancement of Ladino, the Yad Ben-Zvi Institute, Adopt a Soldier, the Association for the Wellbeing of Israeli Soldiers, the Israeli Society for Autistic Children and the Academy of the Hebrew Language.
JNS asked Gaon if he believed he had made a difference to the country’s social fabric, particularly regarding the integration of Sephardim. “It’s hard for me to believe that I influenced people to such an extent,” he humbly replied. “It’s a process, with many players. I don’t believe that I, myself, made such a difference. I was just one of many.”
Although Gaon, 85, hasn’t lived in the Israeli capital since his young adulthood, when he went to study in America and then built a career in Tel Aviv, the center of Israeli culture, his love for and attachment to Jerusalem have never waned. “I’ll always be a Jerusalemite,” he said.
Addressing Israeli and foreign journalists at the Tower of David, he spoke about his parents’ and grandparents’ love for the holy city, which had inspired him for life. His father, Moshe David Gaon, made aliyah from Sarajevo, while his mother, Sara Hakim, came from Turkey.
In 1971, he directed the movie “Ani Yerushalmi” (I Am a Jerusalemite), a film about his family and the city of Jerusalem. Many of his songs reflect his love for the city and a karaoke booth in the exhibition allows visitors to choose one of his songs, sing along with him and record it for posterity.
The scenery surrounding the museum in the heart of the Old City enhances the experience, considering Gaon’s deep attachment to Jerusalem. “At the heart of this exhibition is the interplay between personal and collective memory—a dialogue that connects Yehoram Gaon’s individual memories with those of the wider public,” explained curator Tal Kobo.
She added, “We often think of personal memory— ‘my’ story, ‘my’ past—as entirely separate from ‘our’ collective memory. Yet when Gaon speaks about moments in his life, such as his family gathering around the radio on Nov. 29, 1947, listening to the United Nations vote to adopt the Partition Plan for Palestine, the War of Independence, the reunification of Jerusalem after the Six Day War or about the Nahal troupe or ‘Kazablan,’ he moves between his story and ours. The boundaries between the personal and the national blur and sometimes even disappear.”
“This is more than an exhibition—it’s a celebration of Israeli identity through the lens of one of its greatest artists,” said Eilat Lieber, the museum’s director and chief curator. “By combining cutting-edge technology with rich historical content, we’re introducing Yehoram Gaon’s legacy to new generations.”
Gaon had not seen the exhibition in advance, which he said was a good thing because no matter how perfect, he would always find something to change. Addressing the journalists, Gaon expressed appreciation that it is not about one person who lived once upon a time; rather, he has the “great privilege” to view the history of his accomplishments “in front of my eyes and enjoy every minute of it.”
For those who remember the early years of Gaon’s career and the evolution of Israeli culture, the exhibition evokes a strong sense of nostalgia.
To complement the exhibition, which runs through December 2025, the museum is hosting a series of cultural events, inspired by Gaon’s life and work, including programming for children. For more information, visit www.tod.org.il.
