The Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality, has opened a landmark exhibition celebrating the extraordinary life and career of cultural icon Yehoram Gaon.
Titled Yehoram Gaon – The Exhibition, this immersive experience, housed primarily in the new Angelina Drahi Entrance Pavilion, offers a profound journey through 70 years of Israeli music, cinema, and the enduring spirit of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, who initiated the exhibition, lauded Gaon as “the soundtrack of Israeli life,” emphasizing that the exhibition provides “a moving and personal journey into his remarkable legacy and the collective memories of generations.”
The exhibition, which runs until December 2025, is a testament to Gaon’s immense creativity as a singer, actor, filmmaker, and cultural figure whose work has profoundly shaped Israeli identity.
Eilat Lieber, director and chief curator of the Tower of David Museum, highlighted the exhibition as “more than an exhibition – it’s a celebration of Israeli identity through the lens of one of Israel’s greatest artists.”
Visitors embark on a captivating journey through Gaon’s life, from his childhood in Jerusalem to his current projects. The exhibition weaves together interactive displays, unique video clips, and rare items from Gaon’s personal collection, many of which have never been seen by the public. An audio guide, narrated by Gaon, further enriches the experience, bringing his stories and songs to life.
Born in Jerusalem in 1939, Gaon, now 85, has had a remarkable 70-year career that has seamlessly accompanied every period of modern Israel since the 1950s. His enduring presence and transgenerational appeal are evident in his continued work, which includes his weekly radio show, Gaon Ba’radio, and his ongoing involvement in a new film project. It was, in fact, challenging to secure his presence at the exhibition’s opening due to his busy filming schedule.
Gaon, whose name has become synonymous with Israeli culture and music, stands as a towering figure whose influence spans generations. He has been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, blending music, theater, and national identity in a way that few have. From his early days in the Nahal Entertainment Troupe, which shaped the sound of the Israeli military, to his pivotal role in popularizing Ladino music and preserving a fading heritage, Gaon’s contributions have transcended the boundaries of entertainment.
The main section of the exhibition delves into Gaon’s upbringing and family, featuring candid photographs and personal belongings.
Among the most touching displays are pages from his intimate notebooks and essays, written between the ages of 10 and 20. These early writings reveal his childhood aspirations, which includes a defiant essay he wrote at age 15 where he declared his desire to become an actor, despite his parents’ wishes for a more “rational professional career.”
A particularly poignant exhibit is a letter from his father, Moshe David Gaon, to his school, requesting it to dissuade young Yehoram from an artistic path – to which the school famously replied that it could not force a child’s decision.
The exhibition also sheds light on Gaon’s deep family roots. His mother, Sarah Hakim Gaon, hailed from Izmir, Turkey, while his father, a Hebrew teacher, was from Travnik, Bosnia. Personal anecdotes, like his father’s year-long ritual of waking him to don tefillin before entrusting him with the responsibility as a young man, offer a glimpse into his upbringing.
Another powerful memory shared by Gaon is of his parents’ profound joy on hearing the United Nations vote for the establishment of the State of Israel on the radio in 1947, a moment etched in his mind with his father exclaiming, “We have a state!”
No less than 50 institutions donated the items displayed shown in the exhibition.
Champion of Ladino and Israeli culture
A significant portion of the exhibition highlights Gaon’s Sephardi and Ladino heritage. He played a pivotal role in revitalizing the dying Ladino language through his music, a contribution that was among the main reasons he received the prestigious Israel Prize in 2004.
His emphasis on Ladino in the 1970s coincided with a broader movement in Israeli society to rediscover and preserve Judeo languages, such as Yiddish and Judeo-Arabic, as a vital part of the exilic cultural identity.
Gaon’s prolific career evolution is meticulously documented, from his early days in the highly selective Nahal Entertainment Troupe in 1957 – an experience shared by many greats of Israeli popular culture – to his work with groups like HaTarnegolim and the Yarkon Bridge Trio. The opening night of the exhibition featured a reunion of the Nahal group members, singing alongside Gaon.
His collaborations with renowned Israeli artists such as Arik Einstein, Naomi Shemer, and Moshe Wilensky are also celebrated. Gaon’s solo career led to numerous awards for his Hebrew songs and a collection of gold and platinum records, prominently displayed in the exhibition.
As an actor, Gaon captivated audiences in films such as the seminal musical Kazablan (1973), which addressed Ashkenazi-Sephardi tensions and drew over 1.25 million viewers – nearly half the country’s population at the time. His iconic “Kazablan hat” is among the personal items on display, alongside original manuscripts and notes. He also played Yonatan Netanyahu in the film Operation Yonatan, and starred in popular Israeli television series like Krovim Krovim and Savri Maranan.
The exhibition extends beyond static displays, with interactive elements designed to engage all generations. This includes “The Transparent Studio – We Won’t Stop Singing,” where visitors can record their own cover of a Yehoram Gaon song and receive a personalized video souvenir. A unique kinetic wall, imported from China and reportedly the only one in Israel, translates Gaon’s music into synchronized visual patterns, adding a dynamic artistic homage to his work.
Art as a source of comfort in challenging times
Curator Tal Kobo, who spearheaded the exhibition’s creation, emphasized the challenging decision to push for an art exhibition during the ongoing multi-front war since October 2023. However, she believes that “the spirit is what is important in our mission right now. Since we cannot change reality, we can only change the way people react in reality. So we have to give them some strength, some hope, some comfort, and some joy,” she explained.
Kobo was welcomed into Gaon’s home in Ramat Hasharon and was guided through his memories via items in his possession, which are now proudly displayed in the exhibition.
“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 November 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,” Kobo said of the exhibition, which she put together in seven months, as opposed to the year or two that it typically takes to curate an exhibition, especially for someone of Gaon’s stature.
“This exhibition is a journey through Yehoram Gaon’s work and life, and at the same time a journey into ourselves: into our childhood memories, the key moments of our lives, family traditions, the songs we sang; the theater plays, films, and TV shows we watched; our cultural heroes; and our city – Jerusalem,” Kobo added. “He is a singular figure in Israeli culture.
“Through 70 years of creative work, he has been supported by a devoted audience – not only for his remarkable talent and voice but because his body of work is revealed as a reflection of Israeli culture in formation, while awakening our longing for the sounds and sights of childhood, a yearning for the Israel of the past.”
This sentiment resonated with visitors like Jerusalem resident Tova Gazala, 73, who arrived in Israel in 1971 from New York. She found the exhibition deeply comforting, reminding her of a time when Israelis, despite differing opinions, were united by a shared culture.
Gazala, who recently returned to Jerusalem after years living in the Negev, could not stop dancing and singing along with every part of the exhibition.
“It was a time when everybody could love the same kind of music. You know, people had ideologies, but they didn’t become full of animosity and all kinds of things,” Gazala said. She recalled a period of time in Israeli history when people were less divided than they are today and were united by music.
Gazala told the Magazine that the exhibition left her longing for the Jerusalem of the past, but was also comforted in knowing that the city and its soul could return to its old form again in the future. “More than anything else, it was my longing for that period... It was a time when everyone could love the same kind of music,” she repeated.
Entering the exhibition
The exhibition is divided into four geographical parts within the Tower of David Citadel, complementing the museum’s permanent exhibition on the archaeology and history of Jerusalem. Beyond the main section and the interactive studio, a dedicated room features films about Gaon’s intimate relationship with Jerusalem, his city of birth and heart. The experience culminates on the rooftop of the ancient Phasael Tower, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of old and new Jerusalem, set to the backdrop of Gaon’s iconic songs.
Chief curator Lieber told the Magazine that it was particularly meaningful to highlight the life of a lifelong Jerusalemite in the museum that tells the story of the city itself. She emphasized the importance of engaging youth with Gaon’s cultural contributions, ensuring that his legacy continues to resonate across generations.
“Since Gaon is almost 86, it’s crucial to connect the younger generation to his music and the stories behind it,” Lieber said. To do so, the exhibition incorporates modern design and interactive features, such as a kinetic wall and opportunities for visitors to sing along, making the experience immersive and contemporary. This approach aligns with the Tower of David’s broader mission to blend the old and the new, creating a vibrant, multifaceted experience of Jerusalem’s cultural history.
In light of the ongoing conflict in Israel, Lieber noted that the exhibition takes on a special significance. It serves as a reminder of the power of music and art to provide comfort and hope during difficult times. She shared the words of Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai from “Love Poem,” reflecting on how ““In this scorching land, words must be shade,” highlighting the exhibition’s role in offering solace to visitors. Despite the somber mood in the country, the exhibition provides a beacon of joy, inviting people from all walks of life to connect with Gaon’s music and reflect on Israel’s cultural resilience.
Gaon visited the exhibition with his children and grandchildren and was visibly moved, even shedding tears. He expressed amazement at seeing his entire life and accomplishments presented in such a cohesive context, noting how the exhibition allowed him to reflect on his memories in a new light.
The exhibition is open to the public daily, with an audio guide included in the entrance fee. This comprehensive tribute aims to connect generations by exploring all facets of Yehoram Gaon’s enduring career and his profound impact on Israeli culture.