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! 

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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.

Andre Rieu and His Orchestra Perform the Exodus Song - "This Land is Mine"

Famous Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu is best known for creating the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra. Together they have turned classical and waltz music into a worldwide concert touring act, as successful as some of the biggest global pop and rock music acts.

Rieu and his orchestra have visited Israel twice. They toured Tel Aviv, Jaffa, and Jerusalem. Rieu and his son met with Holocaust survivors who were saved from the Nazis by Rieu's wife's mother, who was active in the Dutch Resistance.

Rieu's father was conductor of the Maastricht Symphony Orchestra. Showing early promise, André began studying violin at the age of five. From a very early age, he developed a fascination with orchestra.

Rieu created the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 1987 and began with 12 members, giving its first concert on 1 January 1988. Over the years it has expanded dramatically, nowadays performing with between 80 and 150 musicians. Rieu and his orchestra have performed throughout Europe, North and South America, Japan, and Australia. The size and revenue of their tours are rivaled only by the largest pop and rock music acts.

In this video from a concert in Maastricht, Rieu and the orchestra perform the theme song from Exodus, This Land is Mine.

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Israeli "Saturday Night Live" Uses Satire to Skewer the BBC For Their Biased Reporting

Even in the midst of tragedy, a dose of humor can serve to clarify and expose misguided and biased reporting.

Two weeks after the invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists, Israeli comedy writers went to work creating satiric sketches about the aftermath, notably about the BBC reporting misinformation related to the faulty rocket that damaged the parking lot next to a hospital.

The sketch appeared on Eretz Nehederet, the Israeli version of Saturday Night Live, one of the most popular TV programs in Israel.

As K. J. Yossman wrote in Variety,

In the Eretz Nehederet sketch, which has gone viral since the broadcast on Israeli network Keshet 12 on Wednesday evening, Israeli actor Liat Harlev plays a BBC anchor arbitrarily inventing the number of fatalities from the attack. “More, more” she urges as the figure on the chyron jumps from 500 to 750. She then links to Middle East correspondent Harry Whiteguilt (played by comedian Yuval Semo) who, clad in a press flak jacket, says he’s reporting from the “illegal colony” of Tel Aviv and goes on to describe Hamas as “the most credible not terrorist organization in the world.” Beneath him on the screen a chyron flashes up saying “We love Hamas.” 

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Yiddish Word of the Day: The Sun

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'll learn the Yiddish word for sun and some related words and phrases.

Enjoy!

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Welcoming Shabbat with Eshet Chayil Sung by IDF Chief Cantor Shai Abramson to Soldiers' Wives

Eishet Chayil (A Woman of Valor) is a hymn which is sung Friday night in many homes after singing Shalom Aleichem and before saying the Kiddush.

 Traditionally, a husband sings the song to his wife, extolling her virtues, and expressing thanks for all that his wife has done for him and their family.

With so many reservists away from home and on the battlefield, IDF Chief Cantor Shai Abramson led a group of soldiers performing a musical rendition of Eishet Chayil to their wives.

Shabbat shalom!

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Christian Zionist Organization Brings Volunteers and Supplies to Israel to Protect Judea and Samaria

With the call-up of reservists from all over Israel, many communities in the West Bank are ill-equipped due to Israel’s security forces being stretched thin.

Operation Ittai is being organized by HaYovel, a Christian Zionist organization that has been sponsoring volunteer agricultural programs such as planting, pruning, and harvesting grape vineyards.

Since the Hamas invasion of October 7 and the resulting war in Gaza, HaYovel has been focusing on raising money to purchase protective supplies for residents of Judea and Samaria.

Just like Ittai, a foreigner who stood with King David in the Bible (2 Samuel 15), HaYovel is calling on Christians from all over the world to stand with Israel.

Operation Ittai has organized a massive airlift of humanitarian supplies and security equipment in the coming days. They have suppliers, exporters, importers and dealers lined up to move supplies directly into Israel and then on to the Jewish communities and farms of Israel’s heartland. 

These supplies include protective vests, helmets, thermal drones, night vision goggles, binoculars, flashlights, security cameras, security gates, and food for those in need.

In this video, an Operation Ittai volunteer thanks contributors and shows examples of how their efforts have helped Israel.

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Cantor Azi Schwartz Sings Naomi Shemer's Yom Kippur War Song "Lu Yehi" as Prayer for Today's IDF Soldiers

Lu Yehi was written and composed by Naomi Shemer during the Yom Kippur War (1973), and has since become one of the symbols of the war.

Before the war, Naomi Shemer decided to write Hebrew words for the Beatles' song “Let It Be”. She did not like the translation of the song's name to "Shihyeh" which could be understood as “Whatever,” and thought that it should be given the name "Lu Yehi".

Her version is not a translation of the Beatles song but a hopeful prayer for a quick end to the war and for the safety of IDF soldiers ("This is the end of the summer, the end of the road, let them come back.")

Mordechai Shevitz, Naomi Shemer’s second husband and poet in his own right, who had just returned from reserve military service, declared: "I will not let you waste this song on the tune of strangers, this is about a Jewish war and you must write a Jewish melody.” This statement rang true for Naomi and accordingly she changed the tune to fit the Hebrew words.

In this video recorded on October 20 at the Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City, Cantor Azi Schwartz sang Naomi Shemer's song in a Kabbalat Shabbat service that included remarks by Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Pastor Kaji Dousa.

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From a Child to a Soldier: IDF Chief Cantor Sings Prayer for New Soldiers Joining the Israel Defense Forces

The soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces were children a few short years ago and now these brave boys and girls are defending the state of Israel.

In November 2021 Shai Abramson, Chief Cantor of the IDF sang a prayer written by the Tzohar rabbinical organization, composed by Sol Zim, with musical arrangement, conducting and production by Ofir Sobol. The video shows the new soldiers boarding buses to their IDF bases.

Here are the lyrics, in English and Hebrew:

Master of All Worlds, the King to whom peace belongs, On this day on which we escort our child to serve the Jewish People and All Who Dwell In Israel through army service, we throw before You our pleas that You will spread Your canopy of peace upon him/ her and upon all soldiers of the IDF. 

Grant them the energy, agility, and joy to fulfill the commandment, “the help of Israel from the hands of enemies,” and give them courage, insight, and strength. Protect them from all danger or peril, injury or obstacle, and return them to their homes and families safe and whole, in body and in spirit, and through them may the verse be fulfilled: “It is G-d who girds me with valor, who makes my path perfect”. And may it be manifest through our son/daughter and through all of the IDF: ”G-d will protect you from all evil, He will protect your being; G-d will protect your comings and goings from now through eternity”. Amen.

רִבּוֹן כָּל הָעוֹלָמִים, מֶלֶךְ שֶׁהַשָּׁלוֹם שֶׁלּוֹ בְּיוֹם זֶה שֶׁאָנוּ מְלַוִּים אֶת בָּנֵינוּ ובנותינו לְשָׁרֵת אֶת עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל ומדינת יִשְׂרָאֵל ביבשה, באוויר ובים, אָנוּ מַפִּילִים תְּחִנָּתֵנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ, שֶׁתִּפְרֹשׁ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמְךָ עֲלֵיהֶם וְעַל כָּל חַיָּלֵי צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְכוֹחוֹת הַבִּטָּחוֹן. תֵּן בָּהֶם כֹּחַ, זְרִיזוּת וְשִׂמְחָה, לְקַיֵּם מִצְּוַת "עֶזְרַת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִיָּד צַר", וְתֵן בָּהֶם אֹמֶץ, תְּבוּנָה וּגְבוּרָה. שְׁמֹר אוֹתָם מִכָּל צָרָה וְצוּקָה, פֶּגַע אוֹ מִכְשׁוֹל, וְהַחֲזִירָם לְבֵיתָם וּלְמִשְׁפַּחְתָּם שְׁלֵמִים בְּגוּפָם, בְּרוּחָם וּבְנַפְשָׁם, וִיקֻיַּם בָּהֶם מִקְרָא שֶׁכָּתוּב "הָאֵל הַמְאַזְּרֵנִי חָיִל וַיִּתֵּן תָּמִים דַּרְכִּי". וְקַיֵּם בָּהֶם וּבְכָל חַיָּלֵי צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַפָּסוּק "יְיָ יִשְׁמָרְךָ מִכָּל רָע יִשְׁמֹר אֶת נַפְשֶׁךָ, יְיָ יִשְׁמָר צֵאתְךָ וּבוֹאֶךָ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם" אָמֵן. סֶלָה

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.

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Turkish Patriotic Song Uses Melody from "Der Rebbe Elimelech"

We never expected to feature a Turkish patriotic song on Jewish Humor Central, but we just had to share this revelation by Zecharia Golden in the Forward this weekend.

In honor of the hundredth jubilee of the Turkish Republic, a patriotic song from 1972 is often heard in the Turkish social media this year. The song, "Bir Bashkadr Benim Memleketim" (My hometown is special) has a beautiful melody and the words paint a rural scene. It sounds like a classic Turkish folk song.  

The melody of the song comes from the Yiddish song Der Rebbe Elimelech, which
was first translated into a French song "Lavougl" from 1969 (The Blind Man), and then into the Turkish "Memlektim".

Here is a video of the Turkish song followed by a video of Eynat Betzalel singing Der Rebbe Elimelech. acccompanied by L'Orchestre Festival led by arranger and conductor Meinrad Koch. 

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Melbourne, Australia Jewish Community Sings in Solidarity with Israel

Jewish communities around the world are uniting in song to express their solidarity with Israel. In this video the Jewish community of Melbourne, Australia, sings Acheinu, Ani Maamin, Oseh Shalom, and Hatikvah in a Havdalah service at a large synagogue.

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.