Hanina Karchevsky

Karchevsky was born in 1877 in Petrovka, Bessarabia. He moved with his parents to Bender, where he studied Torah. At the same time, he learned piano and notation with his teacher, who was also a cantor (Hazzan). There, he was heard by the well-known cantor, Zeydl Rovner, who convinced his parents to move to Kishinev, so the child could join the synagogue's choir.[1]

At the age of 22 he moved to Warsaw, where he conducted an army orchestra.[2]

As a supporter of Zionism, he immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1908, during the Second Aliyah. He taught music there in several establishments, among which was the Herzlyia Hebrew Gymnasium, where he founded an orchestra and a choir.[3] The choir performed around the country and participated in the inauguration ceremony of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Karchevsky composed children and pioneer songs, as well as orchestral compositions. His songs became very popular in the period, and became milestones in the history of Israeli musical culture.[4] He also provided free classes for poor children.

At the end of December 1925 Krachevsky committed suicide by hanging. He left behind a mother, and a pregnant sister. The reasons for his suicide remain unclear.[5]

• Hanina Karchevsky's Music - National Library of Israel: Home to the Israeli Song