The 12 Months was written by Naomi Shemer and first published in 1960. This is one of her most popular children’s songs and taught in schools across Israel. Through this song children learn the Hebrew months of the year. The song is sung around Rosh Hashanah, the Hebrew New Year.
Naomi Shemer (1930-2004) was a leading Israeli musician and songwriter, winner of the Israel Prize. She is known as “the first lady of Israeli song and poetry”. Her song “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” (“Jerusalem of Gold”) written in 1976, became an unofficial second Israeli anthem.
The 12 Months
Singing – Eli Epstein (8 years old), Adi Osher (5 years old), Arad Hakimian (6 years old), Lila Brook-Holman (8 years old), Samantha Kiku Zaretsky (8 years old), Bonnie Jacobs (9 years old), Yarden Epstein (6 years old), Zoe Mann (7 years old), Leah Lopaz (8 years old), Lavi Benziri (7 years old), Kerem Benziri (5 years old), Beatrice Mann (10 years old).
Dancing – Ruti (7 years old)
Translated, directed, edited and produced by Sagit Sol Epstein
Musical arrangement – Rafael Sofer
Animation – ELE Animations
Legal advice – Ya’akov Manor
The 12 Months – Lyrics
In Tishrei the palm tree gave a fruit so nice and brown
In Cheshvan on my rooftop rain had fallen down
In Kislev Narkis appeared. In Tevet some snow
And in Shvat the sun for one day will come and go
In Adar from the orchards scents of fruits appeared
In Nisan all the weeds were cut down in the field
In Eyar all had grown. In Sivan it’s ripe
In Tamuz and Av we’re after the harvest sight
Tishrei, Cheshvan, Kislev, Tevet went flying like a dove
And Shvat, Adar, Nisan, Eyar, Sivan, Tamuz and Av
When Elul is here with us Autumn comes along
And we’ll start from the beginning to sing this song
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