Thursday, January 26, 2012

Country Western Singer Gets the "Kosher Symbol Blues"


Have you ever gone to the supermarket and gotten confused by the proliferation of kosher symbols on products?  A few months ago we counted over a hundred different symbols. In addition to the most common symbols, OU, OK, Kof-K, Star K, there are seemingly endless symbols such as a buggy from Amish country, a kiwi bird from Australia, and Ks placed inside of state map symbols, such as from Texas, Florida, and Wisconsin.

Mendel Singer, a country music songwriter, has released a debut album featuring a funny song called Kosher Symbol Blues.  Here is his description of the rationale for the song.
Many years ago a great idea was conceived. Put a symbol on the label of products that are kosher, and kosher consumers will know what they can and cannot buy. With the proliferation of symbols, this has become a bit of a nightmare! There are so many symbols. Some are very interesting (I like the horse and buggy K from Amish country). Some are very similar to others. Very confusing.
Here's an example of Singer's lyrics:

I GOT SO EXCITED, I FOUND PAREVE CHEESE
IT WAS CREAMY AND IT MELTED, IT WAS MARKED O-U P
MADE THE BEST CHEESEBURGER, GAVE MY RABBI A TRY
WHEN I PROUDLY SHOWED THE WRAPPER, HE STARTED TO CRY
HE SAID THE “P” IS NOT FOR PAREVE, IT’S PASSOVER FOOD
WE GOT THE KOSHER SYMBOL BLUES

Kosher Symbol Blues, his debut album, has 11 original songs plus a cover of the Carlebach classic “Return Again”. The powerful English lyrics and strong melodies are front and center, backed by a simple production with only a few instruments. No drum tracks or synthesizers here. From tears to laughter, from introspection to observation, this album is an emotional and intellectual experience with a touch of humor. 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.)

1 comment:

  1. BRAVO, Y'ALL............Can't wait to send this to my dear friend who is the head of he Atlanta Kosher Committee or whatever it's called-----he'll get a good laugh! Very well done and clever....will look at buying his album----THANKS! M.A., Atlanta,GA

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