Photos by: Israel Bardugo

Aaron Razel, was born in New York in 1974, and came to Israel with his family when he was one month old. He started playing various instruments at an early age, mainly piano, guitar, violin and recorders. At the same time, he composed small pieces for different ensembles.

When Razel was in 4th grade, he and his family become religious so he moved to a religious school. But when he was in 7th grade he changed school again to the “High-School Near The Music Academy” in Jerusalem.

In 1988, he started harpsichord playing with David Shemer and a year later composition with Andre Hajdu.

At the age of 15, Razel was received at the Jerusalem Rubin Music And Dance Academy at the harpsichord and composition departments where he obtained a Bachelor of Music degree in 1994 and he completed his MA degree in composition at Bar-Ilan University under the guidance of Andre Hajdu.

During his period of studies in the Music Academy, Razel played harpsichord with different ensembles throughout the country. At the same time, he composed various chamber music works which were performed at the Jerusalem Theatre, Tel Aviv Museum, etc. He has been awarded AICF scholarships since 1990.

In 1992, the Israel Chamber Orchestra performed his piece Shalom Rav Shooveh. In addition to his activities in the field of classical music, Razel composed ‘light’ music as well, and together with his brother, Yonatan Razel, had a record published by Phonokol in 1991.

He completed his army service as “outstanding musician” and on his army period he become less religious. He then went through self-searching which led him to visit in Zfat and in 1996 he moved there. 

Razel is married and lives in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem.