Zion Golan

Zion Golan (Hebrew: ציון גולן‎‎ Tzion Golan; Arabic: صهيون غولان‎‎ Sahyoun Ghawlan; b. 1955), also known as Tzion Golan, is an Israeli singer of Yemenite Jewish origin.

Background

Most of Golan's songs are in Judeo-Yemeni Arabic and in the ancient Yemenite dialect of Hebrew. Most of his songs were written and composed in Israel by himself, his mother in law, Naomi Amrani and by other Israeli writers. Some of his songs were written by the famous Rabbi Shalom Shabazi.

Golan has recorded over 22 albums. He records mostly from a studio in his own home.

Personal life

Golan was born to Yemeni immigrants in Ashkelon, Israel. A modern Orthodox Yemenite Jew, he currently lives with his wife and three children (two girls, one boy) in the Ahuzat Etrog neighborhood of Merkaz Shapira.

In 1974, Golan joined the Israel Defense Forces as a soloist in the Israel Army Rabbinical choir.

Worldwide reach

Golan's music is popular outside of Israel, particularly in Yemen, where his family originates. Though the Yemeni government prohibits direct contact with Israel, Golan's records have managed to reach the Yemeni public via the underground, selling around 2,000 records per album release. It has been reported that his songs are known to "blare from cafes and taxis" in Yemen.

According to an interview in Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, at one point in time Golan was set to give a performance in Yemen, and visas were to be issued by the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv, but the concert was canceled because of concerns for Golan's family.

Golan's songs are also sung by contemporary Yemeni singers such as Fadel Al Hamami.

Example of Songs written in Israel

The following songs were written and composed by Israelis, as mentioned on his album covers:

• Aba Shimon - Lyrics by Naomi Amrani, Melody By Zion Golan
• Halaluyoh - Lyrics by Naomi Amrani, Melody By Zion Sharabi
• Bint AlYaman - Lyrics by Aharon Amram, Melody by Zion Golan & Aharon Amram
• Halani - Lyrics by Rabbi Mordechai Yitzhari, Melody by Zion Golan
• Salam Salam - Lyrics by Rabbi Mordechai Yitzhari, Melody by Zion Golan
• Ahai Bane Teman - Lyrics by Rabbi Mordechai Yitzhari, Melody by Zion Golan
• Yuma Ya Yuma - Lyrics by Naomi Amrani, Melody by Zion Golan
• Sali Galbi - Lyrics by Naomi Amrani, Melody by Jacky Tubie
• Yom Al Ahad - Lyrics by Naomi Amrani, Melody by Jacky Tubie
• Diker Almahiba - Lyrics and Melody by Aharon Amram
• Adan Adan - Lyrics and Melody by Naomi Amrani
• Shufuni Be'Enak - Lyrics by Naomi Amrani, Melody by Zion Golan
• Rais Al-Mal - Lyrics by Leah Zlotnik, Melody by Lior Farhi
• Alf Mabruk - Lyrics and Melody by Zion Golan
• Yaman Yaman - Lyrics and Melody by Naomi Amrani
• Allah Yhibak - Lyrics and Melody by Ahraon Amram

• http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/israel-pulse
• "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2012. 
• http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/wwwmizrahitcob.jpg
• http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/411/wwwmizrahitcoils.jpg
• http://media.israel-music.com/images/03505609_b.jpg

Discography

• leAhai Bane Themon, 1992 (Hebrew: לאחי בני תימן‎‎, To my Yemeni brothers)
• Salam Salam, 1995 (Hebrew: סלאם סלאם‎‎)
• Abo Sholem Shabazi, 2000 (Hebrew: אבא שלום שבזי‎‎)
• miTemon liYisroel, 2001 (Hebrew: מתימן לישראל‎‎, From Yemen to Israel)
• Ashorer Shir, 2001? (Hebrew: אשורר שיר‎‎)
• Irham ya Rabi, 2004 (Hebrew: ארחם יא רבי‎‎)
• Mahrozot Niflaot v'Duetim, 2005 (Hebrew: מחרוזות נפלאות ודואטים‎‎)