Etty BenZaken

Etty Ben-Zaken is an Israeli vocalist and composer known for her deep connection to Sephardic Jewish musical traditions, especially songs in Ladino, the Judeo-Spanish language of Sephardic Jews. Born in 1963 in Holon, Israel, she has dedicated much of her career to researching and performing these folk songs, often drawing on her own Jewish-Turkish heritage. Her 1999 album *Ladino Love Songs* showcases her rich, expressive voice and heartfelt renditions of these poignant and bittersweet melodies, combining traditional Sephardic sounds with contemporary and avant-garde musical elements arranged by her husband, composer Eitan Steinberg.

Beyond her work as a singer, Etty has created electro-acoustic compositions inspired by themes such as the Holocaust and collective memory, blending spoken word, folk song, and modern soundscapes. She frequently collaborates with Steinberg, and together they have presented interdisciplinary installations and projects that explore personal and social histories, often centered around Jewish cultural memory. This blend of scholarship, traditional song, and innovative composition marks her as a distinctive and thoughtful artist within the contemporary Israeli music scene.