Uri Zohar as a movie star (r) and as a rabbi (Screenshot/Facebook)
“Rabbi Uri Zohar was one of
the greatest creators in Israel and a cornerstone of Israeli culture,”
said Minister of Culture and Sports Hilli Tropper. “His legacy will
remain with us.”
By Aryeh Savir, TPS
Israel’s leadership eulogized Uri Zohar, a prominent movie star and
filmmaker who later became a rabbi, after he passed away on Thursday at
the age of 86.
Zohar was one of Israel’s most famous comedians, actor, director and
one of the leading creators in the film industry in the country. He
participated in the creation of a series of classics in which he
starred. In the late 1970s, he became religious and an ultra-Orthodox
rabbi, teacher and public figure.
President Isaac Herzog said he was “sorry to hear about the passing
of the man of culture and Torah, Rabbi Uri Zohar. A great creator, one
of the designers of Israeli cinema, who made a significant contribution
to the cultural and spiritual assets of the State of Israel will not be
forgotten.”
Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau said that “together with all the
people of Israel, I mourn the departure from the world of my beloved
friend, the righteous Rabbi Uri Zohar.”
“He was an exemplary figure in our generation, paved the way to the
roots of the people and turned many away from iniquity. He was
privileged to live a meaningful life of Torah, in modesty and humility,
out of devotion to the Blessed Creator,” Rabbi Lau added.
“Rabbi Uri Zohar was one of the greatest creators in Israel and a cornerstone of Israeli culture,” said Minister of Culture and Sports Hilli Tropper. “His legacy will remain with us.”
The Israel Artists’ Association said that “it is difficult to imagine
Israeli culture without the contribution and character of Zohar, a
groundbreaking artist, one of a kind, who defined and was largely the
voice of an entire generation. His work will live on forever.”
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Zohar,
saying he “was one of the greatest Israeli filmmakers – an actor,
screenwriter and director who shaped our film world. His great
contribution to Israeli culture will be remembered for generations.”
“Personally, I will never forget his performances in front of
soldiers together with Shaike Ofir and Yehoram Gaon. Sitting on
mattresses, in a hangar in the unit, we were privileged to enjoy the
greatest talents that have grown in the State of Israel. Uri made us
laugh. We loved him very much,” Netanyahu said.
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