Welcoming Shabbat with Lecha Dodi Sung by Kol Kinor Choir of Birmingham, UK

Kol Kinor Choir was formed in Birmingham, UK in September 1990, under the able musicianship of Joyce Rothschild and Jane Ward. Alexander Knapp is the honorary Patron. Jacob Fifer is the musical director and principal conductor.

Kol Kinor is a small mixed voice choir of singers who perform, enjoy and enthuse about Jewish music. It has a rich and diverse repertoire covering many aspects of Jewish culture including liturgical and synagogue pieces set to modern, traditional and folk arrangements. It has Jewish and non-Jewish members.

The choir sings in Yiddish, Hebrew, English and Ladino, and complement this with commentaries on the history and significance of each piece in relation to musical development and religious emphasis within individual festivals and services.

Over the years, the choir has performed all over the UK in many varied venues including cathedrals, churches, synagogues, music festivals, City of Birmingham events; the choir has also sung in the USA. 

In this video, Kol Kinor sings Lecha Dodi, a traditional part of the Kabbalat Shabbat service.

Shabbat shalom!

Welcoming Shabbat with Anim Zemirot by Pirchei Shamayim Boys Choir

Pirchei Shamayim Boy's Choir is a choir club that is spread out in several cities in Israel. 

The purpose of the choir is to encourage musical children and to give them a good feeling and to instill in them confidence in the talent that God has blessed them with. Also to create a situation in which they will strengthen their studies at school.

The choir publishes songs and music videos, as well as occasional performances that give a lot of satisfaction and confidence to the children. 

As we welcome Shabbat, Pirchei Shamayim sings Anim Zemirot, a liturgical poem that most synagogues sing toward the conclusion of the Shabbat morning service.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom! 

Boys Town Jerusalem Choir Sings "Am Yisrael Chai"

The entire Boys Town Jerusalem choir came together in April to sing Eyal Golan's Am Yisrael Chai song. In this video you can also see the incredible things Boys Town Jerusalem students have done during the war, from collecting food for soldiers, volunteering in a preschool, to working in Israel's fields in the South. 

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! 

Holiday Countdown: Yiddish Philharmonic Chorus Sings a High Holidays Medley

The Yiddish Philharmonic Chorus began as a musical expression of the Jewish labor movement. It was founded in 1922 as the Freiheit Gezang Farein, an outgrowth of the leftist Morgen Freiheit Yiddish newspaper. In 1948, the Chorus changed its name to The Jewish People’s Philharmonic Chorus—likely to avoid scrutiny during the McCarthy era. Now that it's a century old, they changed the name again—to reflect the goals of learning, enjoying, and promoting the Yiddish language and Yiddish choral music.

The chorus is a multigenerational thirty-five-voice ensemble. They're students, professionals, and robust retirees, all in love with singing and committed to promoting Yiddish language and culture through beautiful four-part harmony.

Led by conductor Binyumen Schaechter, they perform each spring and fall at Merkin Concert Hall and most summers at the North American Jewish Choral Festival. They've also performed at Symphony Space, Carnegie Hall, Shea Stadium, West Point, Queens College, the World Trade Center site after 9/11, and places of worship throughout the New York metropolitan area.

Today we're sharing a video of the chorus singing a medley of songs for Rosh Hashanah,  Sukkot, and Simchat Torah.

Enjoy!

The Frisch School of Paramus, New Jersey Sings the Prayer for the IDF Overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan Skyline

Following the tragic events of October 7th, student musicians and singers of Yeshivat Frisch joined together on a plaza overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline to lift each other up in song and pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel. 

The song is the prayer for the Israel Defense Forces that many synagogues recite every Shabbat and holiday. 

We're sharing this performance in wishing you a meaningful Memorial Day.

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Welcoming Shabbat with Avinu Shebashamaim by the Moscow Male Jewish a Cappella Choir

Avinu Shebashamaim, the Prayer for the State of Israel, is usually sung in the Shabbat morning service. It is also sung at special days, such as Yom HaAtzmaut, and other days when congregations unite to show support for the State of Israel and the people of Israel.

As we get ready for Shabbat, let's watch Alexander Tsaliuk conduct the Moscow Male a Cappella Choir singing Avinu Shebashamaim at a performance a few days ago to commemorate Yom Hazikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut.The concert was at the Memorial Synagogue on Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow with soloists Cantor Uriel Granat and Vladislav Ayrapetyan.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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Welcoming Shabbat with The Miami Boys Choir Singing Adon Olam

The Miami Boys Choir experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2022, owing to the establishment of a TikTok account that posts clips of the group performing. One clip, a recording of 4 soloists performing an arrangement of Psalms 125:2 (Yerushalayim) has accrued over 9.1 million views as of October 8.

While the group was formed in Miami Beach, Florida, after releasing the first few albums, director Yerachmiel Begun moved the choir to New York. Although he retained the "Miami" in the name of the group, subsequent albums were released with boys primarily from the New York/New Jersey area.

In this video, the Miami Boys Choir sings Adon Olam.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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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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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. 

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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

Musical Showcase: Hazamir Sings "When You Believe" in a Virtual Choir Performance

HaZamir, the International Jewish High School Choir, is an international network of choral chapters for Jewish teens. Local HaZamir chapters meet weekly in cities across America and Israel to rehearse and perform Jewish choral music. 

HaZamir provides Jewish teenagers the unique opportunity to sing at the highest performance level, build pluralistic community, and create strong Israel-Diaspora relations in the next generation.

This has been a tough year for all choirs who had to cope with social distancing protocols. But HaZamir managed to continue their rehearsals in preparation for another Gala event in 2022. Yesterday they released their latest video -- a virtual performance of When You Believe, the acclaimed main theme song by Stephen Schwartz and Hans Zimmer from The Prince of Egypt, in combination with selections from Az Yashir, the Song of the Sea recited every morning in the Shacharit service.

We hope you'll enjoy this beautiful and uplifting rendition. 

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Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: California's Bullis Charter School Choir Sings "Hinei Ma Tov"

Charter schools such as the Bullis Charter School in Los Altos, California are unique public schools that offer an additional educational choice to California families. 

Charter schools are allowed the freedom to be more innovative while being held accountable for advancing student achievement. As a public charter school, BCS is free to innovate and implement new programs and teaching methods in order to provide the best education possible for our students.

The K-8 school has four choirs comprising more than 145 students. The Spring concert of their Cambiata choir included a virtual rendition of the Hebrew folk song Hinei Ma Tov.

Enjoy!

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European Association of Jewish Choirs Sings Hevenu Shalom Aleichem

Last month Jewish choirs from Ukraine, UK, France, Italy, and Austria united to perform a unique version of Hevenu Shalom Aleichem. The occasion was the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe and the song was chosen as a message of peace, hope, and friendship

The singers are all members of the European Association of Jewish Choirs.

Enjoy!

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A Ba Ni Bi, 1978 Israeli Eurovision Winner, Resurfaces in an Online a Cappella Version

It's been 13 years since A Ba Ni Bi, a seemingly nonsensical song, won first prize for Israel in the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest. In 2010 we noted that the song has taken off and found expression in many languages and in many venues that are surely surprising original singer Izhar Cohen, composer Nurit Hirsh, and songwriter Ehud Manor.

It's still a feature in the Jewish camp scene where it's a staple of the song and dance fesitvals that are focal points of the camp season.

A Ba Ni Bi is actually not nonsensical, at least when sung in Hebrew.  It gets a little weird when it's sung in Chinese, Spanish, Thai, and other languages. 

It's cleverly written in S'fat HaBet (B Language,) an Israeli variation of Pig Latin.  The phrase Aba Nibi Obo Hebev Obo Tabach is simply Ani Ohev Otach (I Love You) with the suffixes ba, bi, bo, and beh appended to each syllable.  If it were sung in English, the words would be Iby Lubuve Youboo.  But nobody sings it that way.

And even in the world of COVID-19, the song manages to survive in socially distanced performances. Here's a version we discovered as performed last year by Makela Kala, a Tel Aviv based Pop-a cappella group, conducted by Erez Tal.

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Here's a little nostalgia -- the original prize winning performance at the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest. Enjoy!

 

Welcoming Shabbat with Adon Olam by the Moscow Male Jewish Cappella

This Shabbat we're posting our 58th version of Adon Olam since starting Jewish Humor Central in 2009. 

It's a rendition by the Moscow Male Cappella choir, sung at their 30th anniversary concert at the Small Hall of the Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatoire last November.

The artistic leader and conductor is Alexander Tsaliuk. The cantor is Uriel Granat, the cantor of the Voronezh Synagogue and a soloist in the Voronezh State Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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Hava Nagila Around the World: Brazilian Girls Choir Sing the Classic Hebrew Song

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Our collection of renditions of Hava Nagila keeps growing and growing. Since we started Jewish Humor Central in October 2009, we've posted 71 different versions from around the world.
 
Today we're adding a 72nd version by Meninas Cantoras de Petrópolis, a pioneer Brazilian musical group composed exclusively of girls, founded in 1976, in the city of Petrópolis.

After a rigid evaluation of capabilities for Music, which starts at the early age of seven and lasts three years long studying theory and vocal techniques, the girls are tested and  integrated into the choir. 

The girls have in their repertoire songs of varied genres, which they evolve into new melodies and travel with them throughout the country. They also perform with most of the Brazilian musical artists, and they also include songs of international musicians such as John Lennon, Burt Bacharach, and theBee Gees.

...and Hava Nagila. Enjoy!

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16 Choirs Sing Oseh Shalom to Start the Israel 70th Birthday Countdown

Tomorrow and Shabbat are the last two days of Pesach this year in the diaspora, and tomorrow is the seventh and last day in Israel. 

There's not as much singing on these days as there is at the beginning of Pesach, but Jewish choral groups around the world have been busy preparing for a major event that starts in 13 days -- Israel's 70th birthday celebration.

Richard Shavei Tzion, the South Africa-born director of the Ramatayim Men's Choir in Jerusalem, came up with the idea of getting 16 Jewish choral groups from 12 countries to sing Roman Grinberg's version of Oseh Shalom in unison.

This video brings the choirs together for a rousing rendition of the song that we hope you'll enjoy as we finish off the last of the matzot. We'll be celebrating the end of Pesach through Shabbat and we'll be back with more of our usual mix at Jewish Humor Central on Sunday.

Chag sameach and Shabbat shalom!

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