Esther Shamir, one of Israel’s leading songwriters, composers and singers, died on June 11, 2026. She also served on the board of ACUM and chaired the organization’s welfare fund committee for creators.
Shamir began her career in the Nahal entertainment troupe. In 1975, she released “Avarti Rak Kedei Lirot,” composed by her partner and collaborator Ephraim Shamir, which became one of the songs most closely associated with her. In 1982, she released her first solo album, “BaMakom Hachi Namuch BeTel Aviv,” regarded as a milestone in the development of women’s rock in Israel.
Over the years, she collaborated with a long list of artists including Gali Atari, Yehudit Ravitz, Rita, Dorit Reuveni, Shlomo Artzi, Edna Lev, Yardena Arazi, Izhar Ashdot, Leah Shabbat, Yehuda Poliker, Nurit Galron, Danny Bassan and Riki Gal. Other songs closely associated with her include “Hazaka MeHaRuach,” “Tahana Shel Zman,” “Tmuna Shvura,” “Gahliliot,” “Emtza September” and “Ad Ketze HaMaslul.”
Shamir’s writing moved between romance, humor and protest, and she was considered a pioneer among female singers performing their own original material. In 2023, she received an ACUM Award for her contribution to Israeli music and the sound of local women’s rock.
ACUM board chairman Yoav Ginai said Shamir was “a fascinating, versatile and groundbreaking creator” and that alongside her musical work, she continued working until the end of her life on behalf of Israel’s community of creators through ACUM’s welfare fund.
An interview with Esther published only two weeks earlier:
