Yihye Tov - A Love Letter to Israel From the Students of SAR Academy

The students of SAR Academy in Riverdale, New York, have recorded a love letter to Israel in the form of a new version of David Broza's iconic song Yihye Tov (It will be good) expressing hope for peace in our time. 

It's a hope that has been voiced for many years, longer than the 35 years that have elapsed since Broza first composed it. Over the years he added about 30 new verses, bringing the song up to date as prospects for peace continued to rise and fall.

Vocals were performed by the SAR Academy Choir and middle school students.
Song production, arrangement and recording at SAR Recording Studios were done by Shim Craimer.
Video was done by Batya Sharbat & Becca Glassberg, and Lyrics & Direction by Benji Hain.

Below the SAR version and English translation we're including a video of David Broza performing his original song at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, in Hebrew with English translation in subtitles.

Enjoy!

(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.)

SAR Version With New Lyrics



English translation of the lyrics:

I’m sitting here in class and hear some more bad news
Israel’s so far away but it’s close by in my heart

I’m scared and I’m worried about family and friends
And I’m trying so very hard to keep the hope alive

Life will be good
Yes, life will be good
with unity and love
We support you
and pray to Hashem
for peace in Israel

I think of our forefathers in exile for thousands of years
who dreamt of returning home but never got the chance

And now our generation is living out their dreams
but we must never forget the sacrifices they made

Life will be good
Yes, life will be good
with unity and love
We support you
and pray to Hashem
for peace in Israel

So come on, what should we do? How can we make a difference right now?
How can we help the children of Israel deal with what they must face?

We all know that Am Yisrael will live forever
and we can accomplish anything if we march together hand-in-hand

Together we’ll tell the world that Israel has the right to exist
and that it must protect its people from every possible threat

We will all pray with one heart for peace throughout the land
and send a loving hug to Israel from the children of the world

Life will be good
Yes, life will be good
with unity and love
We support you
and pray to Hashem
for peace in Israel

David Broza Singing His Original Version

16th Annual Rutgers Jewish Film Festival Opens October 28 With David Broza Musical Film

For the 16th year in a row, the Bildner Center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, will be sponsoring a Jewish Film Festival. This year's program, running from October 28 through November 8, will feature 15 new films with a variety of Jewish themes.

We will be attending the opening night film, East Jerusalem West Jerusalem, starring Israeli singer/songwriter David Broza. In this film, Broza journeys to East Jerusalem to record his latest album with Israeli, Palestinian, and American musicians. Broza hopes that bridging cultures through music can be one small step toward peaceful coexistence. The film weaves together soulful music and personal conversations of hope in a time and a place where hope is most needed.

Other films shown at the festival will be Apples From the Desert, a film adaptation of an award-winning Israeli play, documentaries about the rise of Zionism, the lost wooden synagogues of Poland, and Julius Rosenwald, the philanthropist and top executive at Sears and Roebuck.

David Broza will appear on opening night which will have a question and answer session as well as Broza performing live music. Ticket information is available at the Rutgers website. Last year tickets sold out early for many of the films, so don't wait until the last minute if you plan to attend. 

Here's the trailer for East Jerusalem West Jerusalem, featuring Broza and Haitian musician and actor. 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.)