| Michael Ben-Hanan | |
| Birth Name: | Michael Zamel |
| Birth Date: | July 20, 1912 |
| Birth Place: | Germany |
| Death Date: | September 17, 2001 |
| Death Place: | Israel |
| Nationality: | Israeli |
| Occupation: | Commander of the Haganah, Broadcaster |
| Known For: | Founder of the IDF Science Corps, Israeli Radio Broadcaster |
| Signature: | Michael_Ben_Hanan_Signature_from_the_Goldman_Collection.png |
Michael Ben-Hanan (July 20, 1912 – September 17, 2001[1]) was commander of the Haganah in Jerusalem, an educator, and Israeli radio broadcaster, who from the years 1945 to 1970 woke up radio listeners in the land of Israel with a morning exercise program broadcast on the Kol Yerushalayim radio station and then on Kol Yisrael.[2]
Ben-Hanan was born in Germany as Michael Zamel. He studied physics, mathematics and physical education at the University of Frankfurt. In 1933, during the Nazi's rise to power in Germany, he immigrated to the British Mandate of Palestine. In Palestine, he changed his original surname from 'Zamel' to Ben-Hanan (after his father), because he mistakenly believed that his surname was a foreign name, when in fact it is the initials of "Seed from the Tribe of Levi".
He was one of the graduates of the Haganah's first military training course and then one of the heads of the organization in Jerusalem. He was one of the founders of the Haganah Military Academy in Jerusalem (later GDNA) and one of the founders of the IDF Science Corps. Simultaneously with his underground activities, he served as a math and gymnastics teacher at the Rehavia Gymnasium in Jerusalem, and at a seminar for religious teachers at Beit Vagen.
In the 1950s, he was asked by the Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization of America to expand the Hadassah Naorim youth village near Kfar Vitkin and was one of its managers. During the 1960s, he served as a school principal in Jerusalem and later as the chairman of the National Organization of School Principals. He also served voluntarily for years as a member of the executive committee of the Haganah Members Organization in Jerusalem.
During the years 1945 to 1970, he woke up radio listeners in the Land of Israel with a morning exercise program that was broadcast on the "Voice of Jerusalem" radio station and then on "Kol Israel”. The broadcast of the program continued nonstop for nearly thirty years. Many knew well his voice with the prominent Haiky accent: "Good morning to all the listeners, and you gymnasts - get ready!"[3]
Michael Ben-Hanan died on September 17, 2001 and was buried at Har HaMenuchot.