Debbie Friedman's Havdalah - Sung in Every Corner of the Jewish World

There's a rich lode of musical endings to Shabbat, and Havdalah ceremonies around the world reflect the traditional and local musical tastes of each location. But one version, with music by Debbie Friedman, has managed to penetrate every corner of the Jewish world.

Here's a video to save for tomorrow night at the conclusion of Shabbat. Playing it after dark will give us a reminder of the sweet taste of Shabbat and energize us to face the challenges of the coming week.

In this video compilation, watch Hasidic Jews, Reform rabbis, Black African Jews, Conservative youth, Haredim, Modern Orthodox Jews, Messianic (Christian) "Jews," Marines, Chabadniks, German descendants of Nazis, West Bank yeshiva boys, women cantors, modern Orthodox teens, Jews from the former Soviet Union, and Debbie Friedman herself sing this classic tune that marks the end of Shabbat.

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 THEPLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO. 

Eurovision Song Contest: Israel Hosts But Doesn't Repeat 2018 Win

The 2019 Eurovision song contest, hosted by Israel last week in Tel Aviv, was watched by an audience of 1.3 million people. Israel won the right to host the event because it was the winner last year, with Netta Barzilai's performance of the song Toy.

This year, Israel didn't do so well, with Kobi Marimi's song Home finishing in 23rd place. But the run up to the performance was notable because the Jewish Agency produced a music video of the song in American Sign Language (ASL) to make it accessible to the deaf and hearing-impaired population in Diaspora communities around the world.

The video cuts from one location to another, with the signers in harmony as they act out the lyrics in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Florida, California, Virginia, DC, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Washington, Rhode Island, Indiana, South Africa, Canada, Greece, Uruguay, and Brazil.

Here's the Eurovision performance by Kobi Marimi followed by the Jewish Agency's ASL version.

Enjoy!

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 THEPLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO. 

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Inside Nigeria's Jewish Community

They pray like Jews. They study like Jews. They keep the Jewish dietary laws. They observe the Jewish Holidays. But are they Jews?

Igbo Jews are members of the Igbo people of Nigeria who practice a form of Judaism. They either adopted Judaism newly, or are descendants of the Jews of Bilad el-Sudan. 

Over the past decades, some of members of the Igbo have migrated to Israel and especially to Tel Aviv, to fully connect themselves with their religion and ancestries. This wave of immigration can also be explained by the strong diaspora established in Israel since Nigeria was granted independence in 1960.

Nevertheless, the Igbo Jewish community is not recognized by the Israel's Supreme Court or by any other Jewish religious group. Indeed, while they identify themselves as part of the worldwide Jewish community, they are still struggling to be recognized by other Jews.

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 THEPLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Comedy Snapshot: Benji Lovitt on Israelis Shopping in America

Standup comedian Benji Lovitt got started in Texas, moved to Jerusalem and then to Tel Aviv. He's been living in Israel for 13 years now. He performs for audiences in Israel and the US.

We keep running into him when we travel to Israel, the latest encounter having been during the week of Passover in April.

Benji’s observations on Israeli society, combined with his lifelong involvement in Jewish education, create a hilarious narrative that has brought smiles to faces all over the world.

Since making aliyah in 2006, Benji has been called on by Jewish organizations to share his hilarious insights into cultural differences as he translates both the challenges and marvels of life in Israel.

In this short video clip, Benji shares his observations about Israelis shopping in America.

Enjoy!

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 THEPLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO. 

A Joke to Start the Week - "The Waiter and the Spoon"

It's another Monday already, and time for another Joke to Start the Week.

This week we're dipping deep into the Old Jews Telling Jokes archive to come up with an oldie but goodie as told by retired carpet businessman Bernie Leibowitz.

Here's the setup: My wife and I were in this famous restaurant in Philadelphia and where all the waiters wear tuxedos. And I noticed that they all had a spoon in their pocket. And then...

Enjoy!

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 THEPLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Koolulam Unites Israel (Tower of David) and America (AIPAC Conference) in Song

On March 24th, at the general session of the AIPAC Annual Conference in Washington D.C., Koolulam brought 18,000 people together to sing an original song for the first time in Koolulam history. 

Together with a simultaneous broadcast of 1,000 Israelis singing the same song at the Old City of Jerusalem, the United States and Israel sent a message - the two countries are connected for good.  

Koolulam is a social-musical initiative, meant to bring together people from any and all walks of life. The idea is to simply stop everything for a few hours and just sing - together.

Enjoy!

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 THEPLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

 

Welcoming Shabbat with Lecha Dodi by Manginah - the Brandeis a Cappella Group

Founded in 1994, Manginah is Brandeis University’s premier co-ed Jewish a cappella group. Partnered with Hillel, Manginah sings a mixture of culturally Jewish, Israeli pop, and English pop songs.

Located in Waltham, Massachusetts at Brandeis University, Manginah has served the greater Boston community with an enthusiasm for Judaism, music, and any ways those two combine!

Manginah is proud to perform for the residents of the Coleman House retirement home in Newton every semester. Recently, the group has been increasing its regional profile by winning third place in the New England Jewish Collegiate A Capella and Showcase at Temple Sholom. 

Manginah's version of Lecha Dodi is the 25th that we've posted since starting Jewish Humor Central. You can see and hear all of them by scrolling the keyword list at the left side of this page.

Enjoy, and 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 THEPLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Sid Caesar in "The Truck Driver and the Lady"

A lot of the guest hosts on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows participated in sketches. In this sketch the guest host is Paul Douglas, who had a successful career as an actor and announcer. 

No stranger to comedy, he starred with Judy Holliday in Born Yesterday on Broadway. Here he is Imogene Coca's lawyer defending her in a traffic case involving Sid as a truck driver. 

Carl Reiner is the judge and Howie Morris a hapless witness. When Douglas swings his cane in a stirring summation, watch for Carl and Sid's masterful reactions. 

No date is available for this sketch, which has only been released on very rare out of print VHS/Betamax tapes. We're grateful to the anonymous devoted collectors of Sid Caesar originals who found these tapes, had them transferred digitally, and shared them on YouTube.

Enjoy!

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. 




#Throwback Thursday    #TBT