ARTS

Jewish influence in the Arts in Egypt

In the 1920s and 1930s, Jews occupied a pivotal position in the film industry. There were celebrated Jewish actors like Leila Mourad, Nagua Salem, Beshar Wakim; directors and producers like Togo Mizrahi, the Frenkel Brothers, Robert and Raymond Hakim; leading film distributers like Zaki Bonan of Behna Films, Jacques Cohen of International Film, and Elie Israel of Mathathea Films. (Aimee Israel-Pelletier, On the Mediterranean and the Nile, (Indiana: Indiana University Press, 2018), page 13.)

Daoud Hosni

A conversation happened between Daoud Hosni and his friend Tal'at Harb. It related to the Directorship of the Egyptian Theater.

Tal'at:You know, Daoud, how much I wanted you to be in charge of the theater, but, ya khusartak fi'l Yahud (its a pity you are Jewish).  

Hosni: Tal'at, I was born a Jew, I lead a Jewish life and I will die a Jew...

Daoud HosniAs a youth attracted by the art of singing and music, he dropped out of school and devoted his energies to learning to play the lute ('oud) and mastering the rules and norms of musical composition of his time.

As soon as he mastered the lute ('oud), his star started to shine side by side with those of Abdo El-Hamouli, Mohamed Osman, Yousef El-Manyalawi, Abdel-Hay Helmi and others.

Once Daoud Hosni affirmed his artistic creativity, Mohamed Osman acknowledged his ingenuity, and Hosni thus earned a place in the Hall of Fame among the musicians and singers of his time.

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Umm Kulthum in the Men's Section read more:

Moshe HaboushaWhat are popular, totally secular Egyptian songs doing in - and to - the synagogue? Liturgical poet-musician Moshe Habusha, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's cantor, says Israel's European-dominated culture has much to learn from the late great Arab singers read more:

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Frenkel Brothers

Mish Mish Effendi

Mish Mish EffendiLike Mickey Mouse and Betty Boop in America, Egypt got today his national Mish-Mish Effendi. He is the hero of the first Egyptian cartoon screened this week in the cinema Cosmograph”. Read Article

 

INFLUENCE IN FILMS

 

 

 

Togo Mizrahi

Togo Mizrahi

Laila Murad

Layla Murad

Mounir Murad

Mounir Murad