A Prayer for the Israel Defense Forces on Yom Hazikaron

Tonight is the start of Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, which lasts until Tuesday evening. All schools have special plays and ceremonies on Yom HaZikaron, enacted into law in 1963. 

While the day has been traditionally dedicated to fallen soldiers, commemoration has also been extended to civilian victims of terrorism. 

As the sad day ends, the country is transformed at nightfall into all night partying that lasts through the following day to commemorate the founding of the state 75 years ago.

At many of the memorial ceremonies, names are read, photos projected on screens and walls, prayers are read and appropriate songs are sung. 

We're doing our part at Jewish Humor Central on Yom HaZikaron, by abstaining from humor for the day and posting a rendition of the Prayer for the Welfare of Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) by the a cappella group Six 13 and Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson.

Mi Sheberach is a prayer for the soldiers of Israel's Defense Forces that is sung to the tune of El Eretz Tzvi by Yehoram Gaon.  

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.

Oy Vey! The Life of a Cantor (Gee, Officer Krupke Parody)

It's hard to believe that the holiday of Purim is behind us, unless we live in Jerusalem or another walled city where today is celebrated as Shushan Purim.

But the spirit of fun parodies lives on after Purim.  Just last week Cantor Azi Schwartz of the Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan posted an excerpt from a fun parody about the life of a cantor adapted by Jonathan Comisar. 

Recorded live at Temple Emanu-El in New York City, he was joined by cantors of neighboring congregations: Cantor Mo Glazman (Reform) and Cantor Chaim David Berson (Orthodox), as part of a new project called "One Voice.” 

It's a funny description of a cantor's life serving as the congregation's prayer leader and being responsive to the unpredictable needs of its members. It's set to the music of Gee, Officer Krupke from the musical West Side Story.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  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.