Mourning in the music world: singer Avishai Levi killed at age 46 in a car accident

A severe tragedy has struck the world of music and piyut in Jerusalem: singer and paytan Avishai Levi, approximately 46 years old, was killed this Friday in a fatal car accident on Adoniyahu HaCohen Street.

The incident occurred when Levi finished unloading passengers from his vehicle and stepped out to assist them with their luggage. According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle remained in reverse gear and was not properly parked. When he noticed the car beginning to roll backward, Levi attempted to reach it to stop it, but he was trapped and crushed between the driver's door and a nearby pole.

Emergency medical teams from MDA arrived on the scene to find Levi in critical condition. Despite intensive resuscitation efforts and an emergency transport to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital, doctors were ultimately forced to pronounce his death.

"Jerusalem District officers have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident," the police stated.

Avishai Levi was born in Tiberias on the 14th of Av, 5740. His musical talent was evident from a young age; at just 7 years old, he gained prominence as the lead soloist for the legendary children's group "Pirchei Yerushalayim." A major turning point in his early career occurred when he was discovered by hazzan Kobi Mizrahi at the "Ades" synagogue in the Nachlaot neighborhood, who helped him produce his first successful albums, including "Mi El Kamocha."

During the 1990s, Levi was hailed as a "wonder child" of Eastern music. After taking a break from the spotlight in 1999 to focus on his family, he made a triumphant comeback in 2005. His performances were in high demand, leading him to tour extensively within Israel and across Jewish communities worldwide, from France to South America.