Hannah Goldberg: A Multifaceted Israeli Artist

Biography

Hannah Goldberg was born in Haifa to Sarah (née Katt) and David Goldberg, who held prominent positions at the Haifa Customs House. She attended the municipal high school in Haifa and served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a military correspondent during the Yom Kippur War. After her military service, she studied philosophy and English literature at the University of Haifa. During her academic years, she also worked as a journalist, an editor, and translated articles and research from English to Hebrew. Following her studies, she relocated to Tel Aviv.

In 2002, she was appointed as the Chairwoman of the Akum (Copyright Protection in Israel) Board of Directors. In this role, she represented Israeli creators for three and a half years and led a campaign to raise public awareness about creators' rights in Israel and improve the status of creators.

Goldberg's anti-racist song "Friends in All Kinds of Colors" serves as an introduction in her meetings with students as part of the educational system. In these encounters, she engages with children about her songs and writings, the creative process, the acceptance of differences, tolerance, the desire for closeness and companionship, compassion, expressing emotions, the connection between the world of computers and emotions, and the human need "to be like everyone else."

In 1983, her debut song "Don't Want to Marry" was released on the radio, performed by Ofer Eckerling. The song became a hit, drawing attention due to its unique language. Since then, Goldberg has collaborated with leading Israeli composers and singers, and her songs are regularly heard on the radio and television.

Some of her notable songs include "Hold on to the Air" (performed by Gidi Gov), "Antarctica" ("There Are No Horses That Speak Hebrew"), "Maiyan" (performed by Corinne Allal), "Amsterdam" and "Pleasure" (by the Youth Suburbs band), "Fire" ("Fire on the Face" by Rami Kleinstein), "A Man in the Bathtub" and "The Space Between" ("The Space Between the Man and His Shirt" by Lilia), "Friends in All Kinds of Colors" (performed by Sarit Hadad), "Let's Hug" (Alon Olearchick), "Someone Big" (Shai Gabso), "Facing Your Window" (Ronen Ania), "Air," "Grocery Store" (Yasmin Even), and "Taco" (Hani Yaffe).

In 1992, she wrote the lyrics for songs in the film "Lick the Frogs," directed by Uri Barbash.

In 2005, marking over 400 set-to-music songs, a prestigious book was published, featuring her best songs, titled "There Are No Horses That Speak Hebrew" (Hakibbutz Hameuchad). The book also includes stories behind the songs.

In 2005, her song "Someone Big" won first place at the Israel Song Festival.

In 2015, she was awarded the Aharon Manor Prize for Lifetime Achievement by Akum. The judges noted: "Hannah Goldberg is a songwriter, poet, and author who was born in Haifa and began writing at a very young age. Her debut song, 'Don't Want to Marry,' which was released in 1983, achieved great success and paved the way for her continued journey.

Hannah represents the independent woman, the unapologetic creator who has no fear of showcasing her talents. Her sensual, feminine, and unique writing style seems to narrate a sophisticated plot that listeners never want to end.

She asks existential questions about life, the search for great love, and real change. Hannah has left her mark with beloved songs such as 'Hold on to the Air,' performed by Gidi Gov, 'Fire on the Face' by Rami Kleinstein, 'Antarctica' by Corinne Allal, 'Let's Hug' by Alon Olearchick, 'Amsterdam,' 'Pleasure,' and many more.

In Hannah's extensive portfolio of over 400 works, including songs and books, she has created a lasting legacy. In 2002, Hannah was elected to Akum's Board of Directors and served as its chairwoman. In this role, she promoted and led the campaign for creators' rights and the improvement of creators' status."

Hannah Goldberg's multifaceted artistic career has made a significant impact on Israeli culture. Her songs continue to resonate with audiences, and her work as an advocate for creators' rights has left an enduring mark on the Israeli creative community.