Michal Bernat, "Shvil HaBricha" Lyricist, Dies at 66

Michal Bernat's name may not be widely known, but the words she wrote for "Shvil HaBricha" are engraved in the canon of Israeli music. She passed away Tuesday at 66.

Bernat never defined herself as a poet or lyricist by profession. She was a music producer who wrote one of Israel's biggest hits almost by chance.

From waitress to the heart of the music industry

Bernat's path into music began in a Tel Aviv café. While working there as a waitress, she was spotted by Etti Anta-Segev, then a senior producer at CBS Records (now NMC). Bernat was brought into the company, and during the 1980s became a respected producer who led some of the most prominent albums and performances in Israeli music.

Her presence in the industry and close relationships with artists even inspired the humorous song "Michal Bernat-Cohen," written for her affectionately by Yoni Rechter and Eli Mohar during work on the album "Begovah HaEinayim."

Rita performing "Shvil HaBricha" (Screenshot: YouTube Kan Music)

The birth of "Shvil HaBricha"

At just 25, Bernat was put in charge of producing the debut album of a young and promising singer named Rita. Rami Kleinstein, Rita's husband and the album's composer, had a great melody, but it had no lyrics.

Bernat took on the task and wrote the words for the song, initially called "Ha'Ir HaGdola" and later renamed "Shvil HaBricha." Rita's energetic performance at the 1986 Eurovision pre-selection, together with the yellow jacket that slipped off her shoulder, turned the song into Song of the Year and a massive hit.

The quiet departure from the spotlight

Despite the phenomenal success of the song, Bernat did not develop a long career as a lyricist. She wrote one more text for Yardena Arazi ("Ke'evim Rechokim"), and with that her writing chapter ended.

Later she chose a completely different path: she left the world of production and music and turned to clinical psychology studies. She then moved into branding as a partner and manager in a company with her partner Adli Stock, alongside caring for her son.