Veteran broadcaster Shmuel Rosen, dead at 89

Hailed as Israel's major "quiz-master," Rosen hosted weekly radio programs up until a week before his unexpected death.

By GREER FAY CASHMAN
Shmuel Rosen in 1959 (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Shmuel Rosen in 1959
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Veteran broadcaster Shmuel Rosen, who for many years was Israel Radio’s major quiz-master and coiner of words and phrases, died on Saturday at age 89.
Rosen, an Israel Broadcasting Authority retiree, continued to work on a part-time basis, and presented his final weekly program only a week prior to his death.
Born in Jerusalem, Rosen graduated from the Hebrew University and later went to the United States to study theater. On his return, he joined the Carmel Troupe and the Chizbatron.
He began working at Israel Radio when it was still the Voice of Jerusalem, under the control of the British Mandate authorities.
Rosen continued to broadcast after the establishment of the State of Israel and edited and presented a variety of programs on film, theater and music. He later developed a series of quiz programs – earning him a lifetime achievement award – which he continued to host till the week prior to his demise.
Multi-talented and eternally curious, with an interest in a wide range of subjects, Rosen was also a prolific writer of jingles and song lyrics.
His most famous song, written in the aftermath of the 1967 Six Day War and sung by the late Arik Lavie, was “Re’i Rachel Re’i,” which was about the realization of the Biblical prophecy that the Children of Israel would return to their borders.
Rosen will be laid to rest on Monday at 4 p.m. at the Kfar Nachman Cemetery in Ra’anana. He is survived by his wife, Miriam, his son, Emmanuel, a well-known journalist, and his daughter, Danit.