A Life in Songs and War’s Shadow
Sharmit Or, a towering figure in Israeli music and a two-time winner of the KVK (Kammer of Israel) award for lifetime achievement, speaks candidly about why she no longer writes lyrics she fears could sow division. Her long career spans pop anthems, Eurovision glory, and a personal saga shaped by conflict, trauma, love, and resilience. Her story begins long before the stage lights, with a wartime romance that survived one of Israel’s darkest chapters and a life dedicated to music as a form of healing and witness.
A Bond Forged in Shared Pain
Or recalls meeting her lifelong partner, a fellow artist and actor, just before the Yom Kippur War. He was called to reserve duty and fought in the Golan Heights, narrowly surviving. The shared wounds of war formed a deep bond: “He saw in my eyes the pain I carried, I saw his pain in return, and that was the glue.” The road to recovery was lengthy. He struggled with sleep disturbances and what would later be recognized as post-traumatic stress, including substance use as a coping mechanism. After years of treatment and rehabilitation, they divorced in 1989, though the love remained. A visit to him in rehab in Spain and a later renewal of vows in Cyprus in 2019 painted a portrait of a life shaped by trauma, forgiveness, and an enduring partnership.
Facing a New Generation of PTSD in Israel
The current wave of conflict has brought PTSD into sharper focus in public life. Or notes how the lingering trauma of veterans—especially those with long battles with sleep, anxiety, and addiction—risks being misunderstood or ignored. She speaks from decades of observation: the domestic cost of war is not only in casualties but in the quiet, unseen battles that persist long after ceasefires. She acknowledges that, in today’s charged climate, writing lyrics that might provoke division could be harmful; instead, she channels her voice through posts, interviews, and public statements aimed at unity and awareness.
In 2024 she released a song titled “Now” for the return of hostages, produced and performed by a contemporary artist. It is a rare instance where she self-financed, underscoring her belief in using art for urgent social causes rather than seeking publicity, especially when the message could be polarizing.
From Stage to Social Action
Or’s life also reflects a long-standing commitment to social justice. In 1997 she helped lead a campaign for the right to live as people choose in the seaside town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur, a movement that became a landmark in the national struggle against religious coercion. She later served on the municipal council for a decade, and she has twice been a candidate for the Knesset—first with Meretz and later with Gil, a party focused on senior citizens. Her activism, like her music, is rooted in the belief that art must serve a broader human connection and uphold personal dignity.
A Lifetime of Hit Songs and Eurovision Legacy
Or’s body of work reads like a cultural history of Israeli popular music. Her collaborations with prominent artists yielded enduring classics such as “Hallelujah”—the Eurovision-winning entry that helped define an era—alongside timeless songs for well-known performers. Her breakthrough as a lyricist came when she and a friend-producer wrote for a celebrated trio, and the music began to shape itself around strong, emotive storytelling rather than loud rebellion. She emphasizes that each song reflects a moment, a mood, and a memory, which is why many of her pieces remain in rotation decades later.
Health, Renewal, and the Present Moment
Or has endured significant health challenges, including a kidney transplant in 2001 and breast cancer that metastasized to her bones in 2009. She maintains a careful but hopeful outlook, describing life as a chance she fought hard to receive and one she continues to steward with gratitude. She receives regular monitoring and avoids chemotherapy, instead relying on medications that keep her stable.
In recent years she returned to the stage with a new intimate program alongside pianist and vocalist Adi Chzera. The show blends stories and songs, inviting the audience to participate, creating a living, communal experience rather than a traditional concert. The emphasis is on preserving memory, honoring the past, and offering resilience to today’s listeners.
What the Future Holds
Or marks turning 80 with a sense of reflection rather than celebration. She plans a commemorative show in Tel Aviv and continues to craft songs that speak to endurance, dignity, and social conscience. Her message across interviews and public appearances remains clear: music is a tool for connection and healing, and she will use her art to oppose division while acknowledging the realities of trauma that haunt both individuals and a nation.
About the Artist
Born in 1945 in Jerusalem and raised in Tel Aviv and Haifa, Sharmit Or has left an indelible imprint on Hebrew popular music. Her collaborations span generations, shaping melodies that resonate with audiences far beyond Israel’s borders. Her life—a testament to resilience, artistry, and social commitment—continues to inspire a new cohort of musicians who see songs as both memory and medicine.
