John Lennon's Hebrew Singing Moment: A Cultural Highlight from the Bed-in Protest
John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous "Bed-in" protest at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel during the Vietnam War is a well-known cultural moment from the 20th century. In 1969, an Israeli graduate student introduced Lennon to a Hebrew song he had written for the Shir Mizmor Choir of the IDF's Chief Rabbinate. The song, titled "An Oath to Jerusalem," contained the lines "Yerushalayim nishbanu kulam/Lo nafkirech od mi'kan ad olam," which translates to "Jerusalem, we all swore an oath/We won't abandon you, forevermore." Lennon and Ono sang these lines with a guitar accompaniment, marking the only time Lennon sang in Hebrew.
The Israeli student, Akiva Nof, who wrote the song, shared his experience of teaching Lennon and Ono the Hebrew lyrics. Nof's encounter with the famous couple inspired a play called "Double Fantasy." Lennon also recorded a sample of the unreleased song "I Want You" and greeted Israel in a recording. Despite concerns about the unreleased song sample, Nof managed to keep the recording, which later impressed Yair Lapid, a prominent Israeli politician.
Rabbi Yael Buechler, Nof's relative, interviewed him about his interaction with Lennon and Ono, shedding light on this unique moment. Lennon's brief Hebrew singing moment remains a cherished memory for those involved. Despite Lennon's interest in Israel, he never visited the country due to government restrictions during the Beatles' planned performance in 1964. However, Lennon and Ono's message of peace, exemplified by the song "Give Peace a Chance," resonated globally and was even performed in Tel Aviv by Paul McCartney in 2008.
Akiva Nof continued his career as a lawyer, politician, and songwriter, leaving a lasting impact on Israeli music. His compositions, including "Sisu Et Yerushalayim" and "Mayim Le'David HaMelech," are still celebrated today. The unique moment of Lennon singing in Hebrew during the Bed-in protest remains a significant chapter in music history, showcasing the power of music in spreading messages of peace and unity.