Yigal Calek

Yigal Yisroel Calek (; 29 May 1944—21 October 2024) was a British Orthodox Jewish conductor and composer of Israeli origin. He was the founder and conductor of the London School of Jewish Song, the first Orthodox Jewish children's choir.

Early life Calek was born in 1944 in Tel Aviv In 1957, when he was 13 years old, his family immigrated to London, United Kingdom. He studied at the Gateshead yeshiva and after his marriage began to work as a Judaism teacher at a non-religious Jewish school in London, where, according to him, he recognized the need to create religious Jewish music. He began his musical career when he founded the school choir.

Musical career In 1970 Calek founded the London School of Jewish Song choir. The choir was considered a pioneer in the genre of Jewish music. Its debut album, Ma Navu, contained 14 songs, most of which were composed by Calek. Prominent songs from the album included "Sali Umetzudasi", "Darkecha Eloikeinu" and "Ein Meilitz Yosher". Its third album, Ashira Lashem, was released in 1973 with the Neginah Orchestra, from which the hits "Ashira Lashem", "Yadav Shel Moshe", "Pedei" and "Chamol" stood out.

Personal and later life Calek suffered a stroke in 2021, leaving him in "severe" condition. He died on 21 October 2024, at the age of 80.