A. A girl with a flute in Shfeya

B. Moshe (as a trainee in Shfeya) with a mandolin, 1936

C. Village's pupils on a trip to Jordan Valley near train bridge over Yarmukh River, 1938

D. Moshe during trip to Jordan Valley, 1936

E. Atara and Yael, Moshe's sisters

F. Moshe on a trip to Tel-Hai, 1936

G. Girl wakes up village's children

The student who became a music teacher

Moshe Jacobson studied at Shfeya Youth Village between 1937-1939, and returned to teach music. Claiming that 'every child is entitled to a musical performance,' he taught his pupils the love of music

Nadav Man|Published: 03.23.09 , 09:44

Moshe Jacobson was born in Petah Tikva in 1921 to Ben-Zion, a cantor born in Jerusalem, and Menuha, who was born in Lithuania. At the age of eight he was admitted to the local synagogue orchestra, which was directed by Shlomo Kaplan. His primary school was the Tahkemoni seminary.

Due to the family's financial situation, Moshe quit school and went to work. Nonetheless, he completed his studies at the Shfeya Youth Village between 1937-1939. He then returned to his family in Tel Aviv and helped support the family while studying music in the evenings and engaging in public musical activity.

In 1942, Moshe sought to join the Hebrew Brigade. Yosef Dashevsky, manager of the Shfeya Youth Village, who was highly appreciated by Moshe, suggested that he join the settlement police near the youth village, so that he could also teach the youth music.

Shfeya already had a tradition of a mandolin orchestra founded by Moshe Medalia in the past, but Moshe Jacobson greatly expanded the musical activity in the village. Moshe's slogan was: "Every child is entitled to a musical performance."

The teaching method was in small groups of students who wanted to play together and served as an example to other students, teaching each other. There were no notes and adaptations to the musical instruments and compositions of instruments, so Moshe sat down and wrote music for every instrument and singing composition. The love of music remains among many of those who experienced their youth in Shfeya.

Starting this week, we bring you several articles featuring a selection of Moshe's photo albums, which were provided by his son Ofer. Former students Nathan and Ze'ev Sobol, who still remember their youthful experiences at the Shfeya Youth Village, helped document and reference the names appearing in the pictures.

The Shfeya orchestra, which is composed of the village's graduates, is active to this day. At the end of this article you can listen to a magical piece performed by the orchestra.

1. Moshe Jacobson with a flute while studying in Shfeya, 1930s

2. Moshe Jacobson (wearing a hat) as a trainee in Shfeya, with a friend, playing the harmonica, 1935

3. Parents visit Shfeya, 1945

4. 1936. On the right: Moshe (as a trainee in Shfeya) before a trip; on the left: Sitting on a harvester.

5. Moshe (as a trainee in Shfeya) harvesting in Hermesh, 1937

6. A trip to the Jordan Valley, 1938

7. A trip to the Jordan Valley, 1938

8. Cruising on Lake Kinneret, 1938

9. A duet at the music room

10. 1930s, Moshe Medalia with the orchestra at the music room

11. A lesson at the Shfeya grove with teacher Asa'el, 1939

12. Shfeya's main building (before it was renovated), 1939

13. The orchestra at the central garden: 1 – Moshe Jacobson, 2 – Dina Litrat (playing a two-headed guitar), 3 – Drora Arkin, 4 Israel (Singer) Zamir (son of author Isaac Bashevis Singer), 5 – Yifrah Leizerovich

14. The orchestra at a Tu B'Shvat planting ceremony: 1 – Dina Litrat, 2 – Ruthie Polack, 3 – Dvora Elboim, 4 – Chava Shtsarensky, 5 – Aliza Nevel, 6 – Drora Arkin, 7 – Yehudit Singer Ganon, 8 – Yosef Dashevsky, the village manager.