Early years

Cello studies

Independence War

Sport activities

Study years at the Conservatorium in Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem, 1938 - 1951

Uzi chose to study the cello following a concert in which Menashe Rabina the director of the Tel-Aviv Conservatoirum presented various instruments. He studied with Joseph Weisgerber at the Tel-Aviv Conservatorium, and subsequently with Daniel Hofmekler at the Jerusalem Conservatorium. The Director of the Conservaorium in Jerusalem was Joseph Tal, who became a close life-long inspiration for Uzi.

פלמ׳ח 1948 - 1944 - Palmach

Uzi Wiesel was a member of the Palmach, the pre-independence Israeli armed forces from 1944 - 1948. He had to stop his cello studies for a few years during those years. In view of his sportive activities in the 1940’s he was given a role as a sport instructor at the Palmach. He was stationed later in the area near Jerusalem and took part in some heavy fighting. He was part of the forces that forged the alternative “Burma Road” to Jerusalem during a blockade.

Account by Uzi Wiesel of his Palmach service

Soccer: Goalkeeper

During his studies at Jerusalem University Uzi was a member of the Soccer team as Goalkeeper.

Israel National Volleyball Team

Uzi Wiesel was a member of Israel’s Volleyball National Team. He chose to go to the USA in 1949 to study at the Juilliard School, instead of continuing playing volleyball.