Welcoming Shabbat and Hanukkah with Adon Olam by Kolot HaLev of Washington DC

Kolot HaLev – Voices of the Heart – is Greater Washington, DC's independent community choir focusing on Jewish choral music.

Kolot HaLev has performed in various venues beyond its home base, including the Jewish Heritage Museum in New York City, Arlington National Cemetery, the Library of Congress and the Italian Embassy in Washington DC among other prominent venues. In response to invitations from the community, KHL presents at local and regional music festivals and at nursing homes as time allows. KHL has become recognized as a source of highest quality, inspiring Jewish music, catering to audiences that return again and again.

Adon Olam, the well-known Jewish prayer, is actually a poem that describes the greatness of God and is often sung to the tune of different songs. In 2015 we posted a version sung by Kolot HaLev to the tune of Moscow Nights.

In this performance by Kolot HaLev led by musical director Ramon Tasat, the prayer is sung to the rousing melody of "Asa Branca" by Luiz Gonzaga and Humberto Teixeira.

Enjoy, Shabbat shalom, and Chag Chanukah Sameach!

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A Hanukkah Video by Boys Town Jerusalem - "It's for Chanukah"

The Boys Town Jerusalem choir has a new Hanukkah video.  It's for Chanukah, with lyrics by Haim Nahman Bialik and a melody by Nahum Nardi.

Boys Town Jerusalem is one of Israel's premier institutions for educating the country's next generation of leaders in the fields of technology, commerce, education, the military and public service. 

Since its founding in 1948, BTJ has pursued its mission of turning young boys from limited backgrounds into young men with limitless futures. From Junior High through the College level, the three part curriculum at Boys Town - academic, technological and Torah - is designed to turn otherwise disadvantaged Israeli youth into productive citizens of tomorrow. 

Boys Town’s 18 acre campus is a home away from home for its more than 950 students. More than 7,500 graduates hold key positions throughout Israeli society.

Enjoy! Chag Chanukah Sameach!

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A Chanukah Music Video by Ari Goldwag - "Chanukah Light"

Today we continue our Hanukkah posts with Chanukah Light by Ari Goldwag.

Ari Goldwag aims to influence and inspire with his music and Torah. His God-given gifts include singing, composing, and producing some of the latest hits in contemporary Jewish music. These gifts are present in every album, video, and Torah lesson that Ari shares with his community and fans.

Ari first entered the Jewish music world at a young age and his singing career began when he joined Miami Boys Choir, achieving fame for his touching solos. He starred in five albums and three videos before his departure from the group at age 14.

Ari has released eight solo albums, including his latest hit album “It's Geshmak to be a Yid” released in the spring of 2022, and has starred in and produced several unique music videos. His exceptionally popular video, “Am Echad,” has been viewed over eleven million times on YouTube. The video promotes a strong and vibrant message of unity among various and diverse groups of the Jewish people. His YouTube channel has reached over 30 Million views.

Ari lives with his wife Talia and their seven children in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel.

Enjoy!

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A Taylor Swift Hanukkah - The Y-Studs Sing "You Can Light With Me" - A Parody of "You Belong With Me"

Here come the Hanukkah videos!

On this Thursday night we will light the first Hanukkah candle. In the few days before the holiday begins and all through the eight days, we will bring you music videos and Chanukah posts as we do every year.

Tonight we're starting with You Can Light With Me, a parody of Taylor Swift's hit song You Belong With Me with new lyrics in the Chanukah spirit. The singers are the Y-Studs.

Originally from Yeshiva University, the Y-Studs a cappella group started as a club in 2010 and have since grown beyond the collegiate level to the professional stage. You may have seen some of their music videos, like the viral hit Evolution of Jewish Music and their cover Hashem Melech that have contributed to over 10 million views across social media channels - as well as over 38,000 YouTube subscribers.

Enjoy!

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The Maccabeats: Behind the Scenes at the March for Israel at the National Mall in Washington, DC

On November 14, the Maccabeats, the a cappella group that started out as Yeshiva University's student vocal group, performed on stage at the end of the March and Rally for Israel on the National Mall in Washington, DC. We posted their performance two days later here on Jewish Humor Central.

As they headed to Washington, the Maccabeats created a vlog (video blog) of their preparations for the trip, and included scenes of the 290,000 other participants getting ready for the day of support for Israel.

This vlog takes you behind the scenes and behind the massive stage where singers, political leaders, and Jewish community leaders addressed the unprecedented crowd. 

It's a piece of an important day in American Jewish history that we should always remember. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

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Koolulam Organizes Singers in 100+ Locations to Raise Awareness of Hostages in Gaza

Koolulam led an international musical project advocating for the return of the hundreds of abducted civilians currently being held in Gaza by Hamas. Our loved ones. 

More than 100 locations around the world took part in this urgent call. The song for this project was chosen by Tamar Forti, who lost her brother, Nir at the Nova peace party. As Madonna's fan, she found comfort in this song's lyrics and asked Koolulam leaders to use it to raise awareness for the hostage situation. 

The special video was produced in collaboration with The Cameri Theatre of Tel Aviv and the families of the abducted and missing forum to raise awareness for the hostage situation worldwide. 

Media and PR: Sharon Malin – Sharonmalin.malin@gmail.com For further information follow us on Facebook:   / koolulam   Follow us on Instagram:   / koolulam   Sign up to our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2AxJpNv #Koolulam #bringthemhome #bringthemhomenow The song – Madonna's – 'Like a Prayer' (1989). Original Lyrics and production by Maddona and Patrick Leonard Musical arrangement & production - Nitzan Zifroni and Ben Yaffet Video Music video director & chief Editor: Yair Tamir Video clip editors: Maor Keshet, Matan Ben Shimol Alisan Davidi and Roy Kreizman Graphic design: Eyal Armor After effects - Eran Moshketal Technical support - Studio Omer Leshem Camera Crew Cinematography - Uria Sayag Cinematography - Nir Maman X-jib operators - Daniel and Yitzchak Hanit Camera assistant - Yerahmiel Adler Camera equipment - AG Production Solutions Lighting additions equipment - Hakol BAKOL Amplification additions equipment - Israel Raz Rehearsal room - Rafsoda, Savta studio Stills photographer - Tali Raz Stage Conductors: Roni Stav & Matan Ben Shimol Children's Choir: Neve Oz Bands and Petah Tikva Stage Sounds, under the direction of Samdar Horowitz Lightning designer: Ziv Holtzman Head of sound: Sela Wisblom Choirs and congregations from Israel and the world Koolulam credits Founders - Michal Shahaf, Ben Yaffet and Or Teicher Director, Koolulam Israel - Limor Abkasis Chief Producer - Assaf Diamant Artistic director - Yotam Kushnir Line Producer - participating countries - Bella Fisher Koolulam production team - Dafna Hillel, Guy Maor, Yara Konfino Gabai, Corail Maman, Hadar Levy Translation - Ella Widislavsky Social networks photography: Hillel Mish'an Special thanks To The Cameri Theatre of Tel Aviv team: Haim Sela and Adi Polak The staff of the kidnaped and missing forum - Nimrod Arlok, Tzahi Eliyahu, Gazit Kolton, Dorit Gvili, and Almog Israelov. Amir Feingold. Big Thanks to all of the musical conductors around the world who took part in this project and didn't stay silent: Galit Shear - London, England Tamara Samuel - Sydney, Australia Kenneth Birnbaum (SAR High School), Naomi Cohen & Adena Korn (Abraham Joshua Heschel School), Daniel Henkin (Ramaz Upper School) - New York City Alasdair Ong - Hong Kong Carey White - USA/New Jersey Escuela Olami ort Mexico (teacher Donna Rotblatt) - Mexico city Lisa Jacobson - Ashwood Victoria - Australia Reesa Pawer - Canada\Richmond Beny Zekhry - Brazil Justin Kett/Sacks Morasha Jewish Primary School - London, United Kingdom Dor Magen Kiryat Tiv’on - Israel Cantor David Rosen - Toronto, Canada Jessica Alterman - Argentina Oren Kaunfer - USA Kayla Sawoski - Los Angeles, CA United States Anthea Canes - Los Angeles Corey Fooks - Australia, Melbourne Kristian Summerer - USA/Doylestown Clive Noble - Haifa, ISRAEL Radim Raszka - Family Gospel Ostrava Czech Republic/Ostrava Maria Haegele - Germany.Bochum Laura Wolfson - Canada/Oakville Buki Silber - USA/New York Melissa Valverde - Costa Rica Paula Baruch - Canada, Hamilton, Ontario Buki Silber - USA/New York Martín Nisnevich - Argentina - Buenos Aires Tzameret Ben David - Silicon Valley, California David Niego - Bruxelles IVOR JOFFE - CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Liyu Lu - Western Galilee. Israel Alain Picard - Switzerland Marcela Obermeister Shasha - Amsterdam The Netherlands Adi Gafni - Portugal, Lisbon Mindy Escobar - Leanse - El Paso, TX USA Dela Huettner - Switzerland/zurich Tamar Pinto - Washington DC Leah Peer Denver Colorado, USA Cantor Judy Adelman Gershon - Toronto Canada Brian Scott Maui, HawaiiNaama Perel - Pittsburgh, PA, USA Michael Ballak cameraman, Marcela Obermeister - Netherlands Jack Leopold - Waterville, Maine Jewish community of Uruguay URUGUAY Jack Leopold - Waterville, Maine, USA Liyu Lu - Chinese Community.China Adi gafni - Lisbon Portugal Jonathan Shapiro – Connecticut, USA Nisa Felps - Baltimore, Maryland, USA Marcela Obermeister Shasha – The Netherlands

Welcoming Shabbat with V'Shamru by the Teen T'filah Team at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan

Temple Israel was organized during the summer of 1941 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. From its inception, the aim of the Temple has been to revive many of the symbols and traditions of Jewish heritage and establish them within a Reform setting.

It was the first Reform congregation in the Detroit area to introduce a cantor to the service, and to revive the tradition of Bar and Bat Mitzvah. It holds a daily morning minyan and regards wearing of a kippah as a matter of personal choice.

On November 3 Temple Israel's Teen T'filah Team led the congregation in the Kabbalat Shabbat service in singing V'shamru.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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Yehoram Gaon and the IDF Choirs Sing "Lo Tenatzchu Oti" - You Won't Defeat Me

Yehoram Gaon has been an Israeli musical legend for more than half a century. In 1984 Naomi Shemer wrote a song, Lo Tenatzchu Oti, for a new album that he released that year. It has become very popular in Israel.

Now Yehoram Gaon has produced a new video of this song, joining with the choirs of the Israel Defense Forces to make a forceful statement that Israel will not be defeated.

As Phil Schneider wrote Tuesday in Israel Unwired,

One of the enjoyable aspects of this song is that the attitude is not one of arrogance, but one of unity. If there is one secret aspect to Israel’s success thus far in the War in Gaza, it is the unity that is so pervasive at this moment in history. Because of the enormity of the horrible tragedy of the massacre on October 7th, Israelis instinctively banded together to fight back.

The song is in Hebrew with English subtitles. The English words appear below the video.

Am Yisrael Chai!

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You won't defeat me.

 From my window I can see a street like an over flowing river and people on their way to work.

And young children going to school with their satchels on their backs.

And in their hands they hold some blossoming myrtle branches. 

Suddenly it becomes clear, And I say to myself: No, No, No, You won't beat me. 

I will not be defeated so fast. No, No, No, You won't beat me. I will not be defeated so fast. 

From my window I can see A plane taking off, a plane flying, Hiding in the distant clouds. 

I hear a machine in the right tune that rolls around outside and in the markets.

 Suddenly it becomes clear, And I say to myself: No, No, No, You won't beat me. 

I will not be defeated so fast. No, No, No, You won't beat me. I will not be defeated so fast. 

In my window are spring and autumn. A rainy day and a scorching day. 

Light and darkness, soloist and choir. It’s all mixed up and confused. 

Songs of Lamentations, Songs of Hallel. And sometimes it’s one giant mess. 

Suddenly it becomes clear, And I say to myself: No, No, No, You won't beat me. 

I will not be defeated so fast. No, No, No, You won't beat me. I will not be defeated so fast.

Wacky Wednesday Comedy Special: Candy Store Doesn't Give Change - A Candid Camera Classic

Candid Camera was an American hidden camera/practical joke reality television series created and produced by Allen Funt, which initially began on radio as The Candid Microphone on June 28, 1947. 

After a series of theatrical film shorts, also titled Candid Microphone, Funt's concept came to television on August 10, 1948, and continued into the 1970s. 

The show involved concealing cameras filming ordinary people being confronted with unusual situations, sometimes involving trick props, such as a desk with drawers that pop open when one is closed or a car with a hidden extra gas tank. When the joke was revealed, victims would be told the show's catchphrase, "Smile, you're on Candid Camera."

Peter Funt joined the show professionally in 1987 when he became a co-host with his father. During this time the show was being broadcast on the CBS television network. In 1993, Allen Funt had a serious stroke, from which he never fully recovered. This required Peter to host the show full-time. 

The show went through a few revivals. During his time on the show Peter was a producer, host and acted on the show. He also produced and hosted over 200 episodes. 

In this classic episode set in a candy store, customers are told that the store has a new policy -- they don't give change. Watch the varied reactions...some customers complain, but others seem to be OK with it.

Enjoy!

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Jewish Gag Song in "Spamalot" Sparks Cast Discussion About War's Effect on a Joke in the Show

Spamalot, the Monty Python musical spoof of Camelot, King Arthur, and his knights, is back on Broadway.  

The war triggered by Hamas' invasion of Israel on October 7, and the open antisemitism of the last two months has led to an 'in-depth' backstage cast discussion about how to handle a joke about Jews in the entertainment business in the current climate.

As Nicki Gostin wrote in the New York Post,

There’s a song in the second act of the Monty Python musical called “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway.” It’s sung by Michael Urie and he brings down the house with the line, “We won’t succeed on Broadway if we don’t have any Jews.”

Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, who plays “The Lady of the Lake” in the show, told Page Six in an exclusive interview that producers were aware that the war in Israel, as well as the rising tide of anti-Semitism in the US, would affect how the gag lands.

They concluded that the best way to proceed was to infuse the number with joy and celebration. And the celebration of the Jewish contribution to the arts, which is huge.

Here's a subtitled video from the 2005 original cast production with David Hyde Pierce singing the song. Enjoy!

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A Joke to Start the Week - "Make a Wish"

It's another Monday and time for another Joke to Start the Week. This week we're posting another joke from Dr. Jay Orlikoff, a retired dentist from Centereach, New York, a community on Long Island in Suffolk County.

After a distinguished and meritorious dental career, he is shifting his focus to telling and posting jokes on YouTube. We were fortunate to find some of his jokes and we're sharing one of the family-friendly ones with you today. 

Here's the setup: A guy is walking along a beach when he sees a lamp. He picks it up, rubs the lamp, and Poof! A genie appears. And then...

Enjoy!

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Yiddish Word of the Day: Winter

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for winter and lots of related expressions.

Enjoy!

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Welcoming Shabbat with Choni G. and the Khayelitsha United Mambazo Choir Singing Adon Olam

Choni Goldman, aka Choni G, the fresh-faced ‘pop’ chazan of the historic Cape Town Hebrew Congregation, or Gardens Shul (the city’s oldest and most famous synagogue) and the 2012 winner of The Jewish Star competition, is known for gooseflesh-inducing renditions of ancient Jewish prayers and melodies. His debut album ‘5780’ is no exception.

The 16 track album showcases his distinctive sound: uplifting and emotive melodies that have their roots in Jewish spirituality, yet resonate with audiences from all walks of life.

‘5780’ came out in CD and USB format in December but only recently became available on all digital platforms.

“The album features a mix of dance, hip hop beats and a lot of soul with an African thread throughout,” says Choni.

A few of the album’s songs were recorded with an African choir called the Khayelitsha United Mambazo Choir. 

The 11-piece group aim to follow in the footsteps of their heroes and friends, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

In this video Choni and the Khayelitsha United Mambazo Choir sing Adon Olam.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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Tumbalalaika Around the World: Baklava Klezmer Soul Sings in the Synagogue of Cuneo, Italy

Today we share yet another version of the Yiddish folk song Tumbalalaika.

Baklava Klezmer Soul is a young group formed in May 2017, on the initiative of Isacco Basilotta and Roberto Avena. The group, starting from a melodic research, proposes arrangements of Klezmer music in a Balkan key with Gypsy references; the goal is to popularize a musical genre that is almost unknown to the culture of Italy.  

The formation is typical of the genre, and is made up of five musicians: clarinet (Isacco Basilotta), accordion (Roberto Avena), voice and percussion (Michela Giordano), percussion (Lorenzo Armando) and electric bass (Nicolò Cavallo).

The performers thank the Jewish Community of Turin who authorized the filming inside the Cuneo Synagogue.

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California Skydivers Form Human Star of David in the Sky to Support Israel

In the city of Perris, California, a group of 51 skydivers formed a human Star of David in the sky to symbolize solidarity with Israel and to visually show that they are united against hate.

As Richard Percival wrote in the British Jewish Chronicle,

The group of skydivers, led by world champion turned instructor Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld, undertook the challenge last week in the city of Perris. 

Brodsky-Chenfeld said he organised the challenge to highlight increasing antisemitism in the world following Hamas’s terrorist attack on the Jewish state.

The challenge itself involved a complex jump with six connected triangles. Of the scores of skydivers who participated, five were Jewish. 

Brodsky-Chenfeld continued: “All the others [who participated] are my good friends, skydivers of all ages, who love Israel and stand for humanity, against hatred and bigotry.”

Asked what the atmosphere was like among the skydivers during the challenge, he said: “Due to the challenging events in Israel, there was a mix of both uplifting and sombre vibes. 

“Everyone felt a strong sense of unity and a desire to do something positive; there was a lot of motivation.”

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Continuing a New Series: The Great Jewish Movies: -"The Chosen"

Today we're continuing our new series on Jewish Humor Central, The Great Jewish Movies. 

Each post will focus on one of the movies produced in the last century that had a Jewish theme, including comedy, drama, and musical genres.

We'll include a brief plot summary, a video clip, and tell you how and where to watch the full movie. Some will be free and others will require a small rental fee.

Today's focus is on The Chosen, the 1981 American drama film directed by Jeremy Kagan, based on the best-selling book of the same name by Chaim Potok, published in 1967. It stars Maximilian Schell and Rod Steiger. At the 1981 Montréal World Film Festival, the film won Grand Prix of the Americas, and Steiger won best actor.

The film is set in Brooklyn. The story begins during the latter part of the Second World War. Reuven Malter is a middle-class Modern Orthodox Jewish teenager and son of David Malter, a college professor and a dedicated Zionist. At a baseball game between their schools, Reuven meets Danny Saunders, another Jewish teenage boy. At first, the meeting is one of enmity since Danny accidentally injures Reuven's eye during the game; this results in Reuven wearing an eye patch for much of the movie.

When Danny goes to visit Reuven at the hospital to apologize, Reuven refuses his apology and asks him to leave. Later, Danny comes to Reuven's house to again apologize. This time, Reuven accepts his apology and the boys become friends despite their different backgrounds. Danny is the eldest son of a Hasidic Rebbe, the dynastic leader of the Hasidic Jews in that neighborhood, but is not close to his father. Danny has been going to the nearby public library and reading books on psychology. He amazes Reuven with his ability to remember word-for-word what he has read. It turns out that David Malter has been showing him these books. 

Reuven and Danny go to a Sabbath service in Danny's Hasidic community as Danny is eager for Reuven to meet his father. Danny's father approves of their friendship, but Rebbe Saunders disapproves of Professor Malter's writings, which doesn't surprise anyone. Rebbe Saunders also wishes for Danny to become a rabbi and to succeed him in leading his Hasidic community, in keeping with the tradition of several generations, but Danny doesn't seem eager to pursue this.

The full hour and 45 minute film is available to watch free on YouTube.  Enjoy!

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A Joke to Start the Week - "The Lawyer's Phone Call"

It's another Monday and time for another Joke to Start the Week. Today Mickey Greenblatt is back with another good one.

Marshal (Mickey) Greenblatt received degrees from Columbia (BA and BS in Flight Sciences), a DC from Von Karman Institute (1963) and his PhD from Princeton in Aerospace Sciences. He worked as a researcher for NASA and the Naval Research Laboratory. 

With four other scientists, he founded Fusion Systems Corporation, which invented microwave-powered UV lamps for drying coatings. He founded and served on the boards of technology companies and is active in volunteer work. He served on the executive committee of the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington for many years.

Mickey also loves Jewish jokes and sent us this one to share with you. Here's the setup: Abraham Schwimmer is a prominent attorney in California. He dials the number of Morris Rosen, a very prominent art collector and a client of his. Morris says "I'm having a terrible day."  And then...

Enjoy!

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While visiting wounded soldiers at Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv on October 25, Cantor Azi Schwartz of New York's Park Avenue Synagogue, gave a concert of Hebrew and English songs.

During the visit he was able to give his sister, Dr Renana Eitan, a few moments of peace, and they made music together. The doctor, also a pianist, is the Director of the Psychiatric Division and is working with her incredible staff day and night since October 7th to provide a healing of body and spirit for so many traumatized people. 

Cantor Schwartz sang You'll Never Walk Alone, from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, Adon Olam, and Jerusalem of Gold.

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Welcoming Shabbat with Ana B'Koach by Jacob's Ladder Bluegrass Band

This week we welcome Shabbat with Ana b'Koach, a liturgical poem from the Kabbalat Shabbat service that appears in the siddur just before Lecha Dodi. It's a Kabbalistic prayer composed by Rav Nehunia Ben Hakannah.

Known as the 42-letter Name of God, Ana b'Koach is a unique formula built of 42 letters written in seven sentences of six words each. Each of the seven sentences correspond to the seven days of the week, seven specific angels, and to a particular heavenly body. The letters that make up Ana beKo'ach are encoded within the first 42 letters of the book of Genesis.

The kabbalists explain that this combination of letters takes us back to the time of Creation, and each time we meditate on a particular sequence, we return to the original uncorrupted energy that built the world. By performing the Ana beKo'ach meditation, we enrich our lives with unadulterated spiritual light and positive energy.

This version of Ana b'Koach is performed by Jacob's Ladder, a Jewish Bluegrass band that brings a warm, welcoming, and uplifting musical experience to the Kabbalat Shabbat service. Formerly known as Kol Kahol, Jacob's Ladder explores different styles, themes, grooves, and musical modes in this revised and updated version of the Kabbalistic Psalm. 

The melody- Bury Me Beneath The Willow- comes from the old American folk traditions, with one of the first recordings ever made by the widely renowned and esteemed Carter Family. The band purposefully decided to explore West African grooves, clawhammer banjo styles, and group vocals as an homage to the rich traditions of West African music as a foundational pillar of American Music.

Shabbat shalom! 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

 

 

Maccabeats Sing "Acheinu" at Massive March and Rally for Israel in Washington D.C.

On November 14, at the end of the march and rally for Israel on the mall in Washington, D.C., the Maccabeats took the stage and sang the prayer Acheinu.

Their voices were joined by the voices of the 290,000 people who attended the rally.

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with four albums.

Acheinu kol beit yisrael, Acheinu kol beit yisrael, han'tunim b'tzara, b'tzara uvashivyah, haomdim bein bayam uvein bayabasha. Hamakom Y'racheim, Y'racheim Aleihem v'yotziem mitzara lirvacha, um'afaila l'orah umishiabud lig'ulah, hashta ba'agala uvizman kariv.

אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַנְּתוּנִים בְּצָרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה, הָעוֹמְדִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה, הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם, וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה, וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה, הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב.

Translation: As for our brothers,​ the whole house of Israel, who are given over to trouble or captivity​, whether they abide on the sea or on the dry land: May the All-prese​nt have mercy upon them, and bring them forth from distress to relief, from darkness to light, and from subjectio​n to redemptio​n, now speedily and at a near time.  A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.