One of the greatest musicians in the history of the State of Israel, the guitarist and composer Yitzhak Kleftar, who died last Thursday at the age of 72 as a result of the lung disease he suffered from for several years, was laid to rest today (Sunday) at the “For a Right Rest” cemetery in Rishon Lezion.
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Hundreds came to the civil cemetery in Rishon Lezion to accompany the late Clifter on his last journey. Among the attendants were his friends from the Beehive band Gidi Gov, Danny Sanderson and Alon Olarchik, and indeed other artists such as Edna Lev, Rami Klinstein and Muni Moshunov, alongside family members including Uriah and other friends and loved ones.
Klifter’s brother, Haim, gave a eulogy: “My personal feeling is that the friends he chose were no less important to him than his family and we really appreciated and admired him. Yitzhak, thank you for being my brother.”
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One of Clifter’s childhood friends eulogized him: “I haven’t found peace and calm since the terrible news of Job reached me. We met about 60 years ago and that was the beginning of a love story. The Churchill band, which you gave the name to, did well. You were a king The guitar. Money never interested you, the musical creation was at the forefront of your mind.”
Itzik Holevsky, head of the Megiddo Regional Council, eulogized: “I came here especially. I didn’t know Churchill personally, but I admired him. He was huge and as a fan of Hapoel Tel Aviv, I want to thank Churchill for the championship song. Without you, the State of Israel will not be the same.”
Eran, another friend, said: “I got to know Yitzhak 20 years ago. In addition to being a great musician and a great guitarist, he had a heart of gold. He helped me a lot and guided me. He had an indescribable modesty. When it was difficult for him to get around, he asked me to take Him. I was very excited, I’m from Ramat Gan and have the privilege of being with a great musician, I felt like a painter in the company of Picasso.” The ceremony ended with a round of applause in honor of Clifter and the playing of the song “Tsilil Mi’oin”.
Yitzhak Klefter’s funeral, photo: Avshalom Sashoni
In a conversation with reporters, Gidi Gov, Klefter’s friend from the Beehive band, said: “We’ve been together for many years, almost 50 years. A whole nation in mourning. It’s a shame you’re not here, Yitzchak, to see how much love has been showered on you.”
“Yitzhak was not terribly healthy, but even when you know that it might happen – it is suddenly terribly sad, terribly painful,” added Gidi Gov. “At the Beehive reunion in 2013, Yitzchak was already sitting on a chair. In rehearsals, he played a shell, knew every note and every sound, reminded everyone, and then lasted ten beautiful years, that we met and talked. I am simply shocked, not surprised, but shocked by the amount of love he receives. Simply A whole, mournful and sad people. It’s a shame you’re not here. You’ll laugh to see the amount of love that goes on here, you don’t understand. It’s something big.”
Danny Sanderson told reporters: “I am very sad, Yitzchak was a very special man. We had quite a few reunions in the hive, he was always enthusiastic about rehearsals. His body was not doing well with his health, but despite everything, he had the strength to survive and the faith to get out of it, the music kept him going He was a very special person and with a philosophy of life, he had a very philosophical view, a very special person and we loved him very much. He completed the beehive puzzle. He was divided – on the one hand he was a humble man, but he wanted to be known and respected and he was happy with the recognition he received won”.
Danny Sanderson and Gidi Gov at Yitzhak Klefter’s funeral (photo: Reuven Castro, wow!)Earlier today, a funeral ceremony was held in the Bima Theater in memory of Clifter. Beehive drummer Meir Penigstein (“Foggy”) paid a tearful tribute to Clifter: “It’s hard to say goodbye to a friend who has been by your side all these years. Even after Beehive broke up, we remained close as a family. Even then we knew that he was a virtuoso guitarist in the Armored Corps band and in the latter days. Yitzhak was and remains a human being Quiet, introverted and most of all modest. Success and publicity never blinded him. Yitzchak fit into the band harmoniously perfectly and quickly became an important part of the band. He stood out in solos in songs like Yo Ye, Day and Night, and more, always with his unique sound. We went through quite a few reunions and always We have remained close. I have seen him succeed in the musical ventures with Eric Einstein and the band Tsliv Mustin. On my behalf and on behalf of all the members of the band, I thank you. Show them above what a guitar solo is.”