George Gershwin

GEORGES GERSHWIN
State Medal 1999/5759
Second in the "Jewish Contributors to World Culture" Series.

George Gershwin, born Jacob Gershovitz, was born to Jewish immigrants in New York. He dropped out of school at age 15 to become one of the youngest pianists and song pluggers on Tin Pan Alley. His career exploded when Al Jolson incorporated a song he had written at the age of 19, the enormously successful “Swanee”. Gershwin combined elements of Jazz, classical music, European and Jewish chants, and popular music accentuated by complex rhythms. His works covered a broad spectrum and include such famous pieces as “Rhapsody in Blue” and the opera “Porgy and Bess”. He died at 39 from a brain tumor, leaving behind a huge collection of songs, many of whose lyrics were written by his brother Ira. Ira was of the opinion that, “From Gershwin emanated a new American music not written with the ruthlessness of one who strives to demolish established rules but base don a new native gusto and with and awareness. His was a modernity that reflected the civilization we live in as excitingly as the headline in today’s newspaper”.

Obverse: Portrait of George Gershwin. On both sides, around the border, "George Gershwin", in Hebrew to the right and in English to the left.

Reverse: Gershwin's famous piano with his book of music open on it. In the background, buildings of Manhattan on a moonlit night.

Edge: Israel State Emblem, "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English, metal and serial number.

Designer: Obverse: Mark Sallman. Reverse (portraying Gershwin’s famous piano against the Manhattan skyling): Shuki Zacks.

Engraving: Tidhar Dagan.

Mint: Gold: The Government Mint, Jerusalem.
Silver: Kretchmer Mint, Jerusalem.
Bronze: Hecht, Tel Aviv.