Beloved singer and songwriter Ahuva Ozeri dies at 68

Thousands of people attended the funeral on Tuesday of Ahuva Ozeri, a popular singer and songwriter whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called "a pillar of Mediterranean music in Israel." Ozeri died Tuesday morning at age 68 and was laid to rest in Tel Aviv.

Some of the many artists who attended the funeral to honor Ozeri sang two of her songs: "The Bells' Ringing" and "Where is the Soldier-" -- a song she wrote about a young man from her home neighborhood who was missing in action in the Yom Kippur War and which was her first breakout hit.

Ozeri was born in Kerem Hateimanim, a Yemenite enclave in Tel Aviv. In 1968 she learned to play the Indian bulbul tarang and became one of the few musicians in Israel proficient on the stringed instrument. In 1975 she released her first album, "Where is the Soldier-" which was a hit.

In later years, Ozeri stopped her concert appearances but continued to record albums, all the while working as a cook at the Gamliel restaurant in Kerem Hateimanim and as a music and voice teacher. Ozeri was also the subject of a documentary about her life directed by Uri Barbash, the first film to focus on Oriental singing.

In 1999, Ozeri released what is considered her most successful album, "The Bells' Ringing." A number of artists have performed cover versions of the title song.

The singer was diagnosed with cancer of the vocal chords 16 years ago and had to have them surgically removed. Reports said she remained upbeat until the end.

Ozeri was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the ACUM, the association that represents Israeli recording artists.

At the funeral Tuesday, singer Sarit Hadad said that Ozeri had "supported and encouraged other singers and artists, and did so with inspiring humility."

Netanyahu said that he and his wife, Sara, were deeply sorry to hear of Ozeri's passing said she "contributed so much to the soundtrack of our lives."

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