Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, known for her LGBTQ+ advocacy and Jewish heritage, has died in a house fire at her Minnesota home. The 66-year-old was a self-described “two-hit wonder” with hits like “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel.” Her music often tackled sensitive topics such as depression, eating disorders, and queerness.
Sobule’s Jewish background was an integral part of her art, with songs like “Attic,” “Heroes,” and “Jesus Was a Dreidel Spinner.” She addressed antisemitism and Nazi-fighting in her work, including the 2022 song that made it onto the Forward’s Top 150 Jewish Pop Songs list. Sobule also performed at Jewish music festivals and covered classic songs from Fiddler on the Roof.
A talented actress and musician, Sobule appeared in several films and stage productions, including Mind the Gap and a staging of Yentl. Her latest project was an autobiographical musical about being queer in middle school. Sobule’s legacy as a Jewish icon and LGBTQ+ advocate will be remembered through her music and performances that tackled tough topics with humor and wit.
Sobule’s passing comes at a time when American Jews need independent news they can trust, according to the Forward, an organization she supported throughout her career. The Forward is a non-profit publication that provides coverage of Jewish issues and news without ideological agendas.
Source: https://forward.com/culture/music/717262/musician-jill-sobule-obituary-queer-jewish-icon