She was already singing as a child. When she was 9 years old, she was discovered for the children’s choir of the state radio, but her traditional father vetoed it: a Jewish girl should not sing on Persian radio! As a curious, inquisitive and talented girl, she knew then that she did not belong in this Persia. Through a new Jewish-Zionist club run in northern Tehran by the organization “kol Israel chaverim” -כי״ח – she became aware of the existence of the “Alyiat Hanoar” – an organization that enables young Jews to emigrate to Israel.
She then began a Sisyphean struggle with everyone involved to immigrate to Israel, and it was only at the age of 15 that she managed to “escape” to Israel on the condition that she would be educated in a religious setting. She was sent to a boarding school in the traditional youth village in “Kfar Hassidim”.
From the media:
Bary Davis-in ״Haaretz״
Because she left her home country, she closed herself off to everything that sounded Persian during her first 13 years in Israel. It was not until 1985, during a one-year stay on her husband’s mission in West Africa, that the memories came flooding back: The music of her childhood began to stir.
This marked the beginning of a process of reconciliation and renewal, and since then Jeanette has dedicated herself to collecting, classifying, studying, performing and teaching different types of Persian music.
There is a special vocalization in Persian music that Jeanette performs – a unique trill technique called “chah chah” (bird chirping), a highly regarded element in Iranian classical music and very demanding, requiring special talent and utmost precision.
Accompanied by the best Persian musicians playing authentic Persian instruments, Jeannette beautifully performs the rousing, noble and subtle Persian songs.
In addition, Jeanette performs the ensemble’s original material, new songs, texts and improvisations on traditional authentic oriental music together with a virtuoso group of Israeli musicians who play various classical oriental instruments.
Jeanette has participated in many Israeli and international festivals, such as the “Mon Pelier” Festival and the “Une Seul Voix” Festival in France, and has given concerts in Vienna, Cyprus, Malta and Los Angeles.