Yizhar Cohen Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from AMI, Reveals Recent Vocal Surgery

Award Ceremony Highlights

At a recent ceremony honoring lifetime achievements within the arts, celebrated singer Yizhar Cohen, known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest, publicly shared that he underwent surgery to remove a benign growth from his vocal cords. This revelation came during the AMI Lifetime Achievement Awards held at the Culture Hall in Petah Tikva.

Cohen, surprised by the presence of his sister Vered, acknowledged that he would be unable to perform in the coming weeks due to his recovery from the surgery. Despite this, he encouraged the audience to join him in singing “Abanibi,” dedicating the performance to IDF soldiers, recently returned hostages, the families of fallen soldiers, and the memory of his late friend and musician, Yoni Namri.

Other Honorees

In addition to Cohen, this year’s awards recognized several notable figures in the Israeli cultural landscape. Among the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award were Moni Moshonov, Sandra Shad, Yehuda Kaiser, Dorit Reuveni, Rena Shinefeld, Jonathan Shaham, Dr. Estherit Blitstein, Yoav Itzhak, Dr. Henry Libros, and Valery Panov, a dancer and choreographer who passed away earlier this year shortly after learning of his award.

AMI Chair’s Remarks

Opening the ceremony, AMI Chair and actress Yona Elian-Keshet addressed the challenges faced by the art community in recent years, highlighting the loss and grief experienced in society. “The past two years, to say the least, have been complex. We have faced sorrow, pain, and grief and learned to fight for our identity as a society centered on ethics, compassion, and love,” she remarked.

Elian-Keshet expressed pride in being part of the artistic community, affirming their commitment to supporting families affected by ongoing conflicts. “We are not alstart! The true power of art is to teach compassion and bring love,” she added.

A Commitment to Cultural Resilience

Cohen’s heartfelt speech conveyed his gratitude towards his family, including late parents Sarah Cohen and Sliman HaGadol, as well as his brother Hofni, who received similar honors in the past. The evening underscored the resilience of artists as they navigate through challenges, including budget cuts and social pressures, while continuously striving to contribute positively to Israeli society and culture.

This year’s AMI Lifetime Achievement Awards ceremony not only recognized remarkable contributions within the arts but also served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by individuals and families in Israel.