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Aviv Geffen

(1973 - )

Aviv Geffen is an Israeli rock musician and singer and one of the most popular performers in Israel.

Geffen (born May 10, 1973) was born and raised in Ramat Gan. He began studying music at age six, writing songs at age seven and he taught himself how to play six instruments while not graduating past the eighth grade. Geffen's first public performance was in 1984 on the youth program "Sminiyot Ba'avir."

Although Geffen has certain physical infirmities, his controversial and well-publicized failure to serve in the IDF was based on conscientious objection rather than medical reasons, a particularly controversial decision for such a popular figure who is also the nephew of Moshe Dayan.

Geffen produced his first album in 1992 and since then has released five more. His songs voice a challenge to traditional values and address themes popular among youth - such as love, violence, drugs and alcohol, and parent-child relationships. His exotic appearance, ranging from his bizarre clothing to his heavy makeup, is reminiscent of David Bowie. Geffen was also one of the last artists to perform at the November 4,1995 peace rally in Tel Aviv at which Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, and as such, one of the last to come in direct contact with Rabin.

In 2005, Geffen was voted the 59th-greatest Israeli of all time in an online poll conducted by Israeli daily Yediot Ahronoth.


Sources: The Pedagogic Center, The Department for Jewish Zionist Education, The Jewish Agency for Israel, (c) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, Director: Dr. Motti Friedman, Webmaster: Esther Carciente; Wikipedia