Batzal Yarok Explained

Batzal Yarok (Hebrew: בצל ירוק (lit. Green Onion) was an Israeli theatre and entertainment troupe founded in 1957 by ex-members of the IDF army ensemble, Lahakat Hanahal.^[1]

History

Among those who wrote songs for the group was Sasha Argov.^[2] It was one of the most well-known entertainment troupes in Israel in the late 1950s and early 1960s.^[3] One of the founding members of Batzal Yarok was Uri Zohar.^[4] Chaim Topol performed with the group from 1960 to 1964.^[5] Ephraim Kishon wrote several satirical skits for Batzak Yarok.^[6] Naomi Shemer wrote the texts for the first performance of Batzal Yarok in 1957. Her song Zamar Noded (Wandering Troubadour) was also written for the troupe.^[7]

Shows

• Shmor Al HaGvul (Guard the Border) - This show was produced by the founders of the troupe before the end of their military service
• 1957: Kvisat HaRash (The Poor Man's Laundry) - A pun with the Hebrew words Kvisa (Laundry) and Kivsa (Sheep), referencing the biblical parable employed by Nathan the Prophet to condemn the relationship between David and Bathsheba.
• 1958: Hop Avarnu (Hop! We Moved)
• 1959: Af Mila LeMorgenstein (Not a Word to Morgenstein) - This show became the basis for a movie with the same name, filmed in 1963.
• 1959: Ve... Shalosh Nekudot! (And ... Three Points!)
• 1960: Chatul BaSak (Cat in the Sack).

Troupe members

• Uri Zohar - Vocals, direction
• Ilana Rovina - Vocals^[8]
• Yona Atari - Vocals
• Shimon Israeli - Vocals
• Nechama Hendel - Vocals
• Zaharira Harifai - Vocals ^[9]
• Gabi Amrani - Vocals
• Yosef Oreg - Accordion
• Chaim Topol and Galya Topol - Vocals
• Eliahu Barkai - Vocals
• Oded Kotler - Vocals
• Ruti Atias - Vocals
• Avraham Mor - Took part only in the first show.
• Nira Adi
• Aliza Kashi
• Arik Einstein
• Shai Danon
• Martin Brecher - Trumpet
• David Elshayach - Drums and percussion
• Shmuel Bonim

See also

• Music of Israel

Notes and References

1. Book: Popular Music and National Culture in Israel. Regev. Motti. Motti. Regev. Edwin. Seroussi. April 26, 2004. University of California Press. 9780520236547. Google Books.
2. Web site: Biography of Sasha Argov. web.nli.org.il.
3. Book: Ziv, Avner. Jewish Humor. Transaction Publishers. 9781412826860. Google Books.
4. Web site: Hedonist to Haredi: Iconic Israeli Filmmaker's Works Still Project Truth. Ariel. Schewitzer. November 1, 2013. Haaretz.
5. Web site: One more fiddle for the road. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.
6. Web site: Ephraim Kishon - Biography. www.ephraimkishon.de.
7. Web site: Naomi Shemer. www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org.
8. Web site: Her Mother's Daughter. Aviva. Lori. January 25, 2007. Haaretz.
9. Web site: Actress Zaharira Harifai dies. February 1, 2013. Ynetnews.