Yiddish Word of the Day - "The Fourth of July"

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.

On Friday we start a year of celebrating America's 250th anniversary, so let's see how to say the Fourth of July in Yiddish and learn a few expressions relating to the holiday.

Enjoy!

Independence Day Special: A Yiddish "God Bless America" for Brooklyn's First Woman Hasidic Judge

As we celebrate the fourth of July, let's be proud of our great country and the freedoms that it has given us in our 246 years of independence.

Only in America could a Hasidic woman, Rachel "Ruchie" Freier, be elected as a civil court judge in New York State and become the first to serve in public office in United States history.

A Boro Park native, mother of six and Touro alum, Freier also made history when she founded the first all-female volunteer ambulance corps in all of New York City, Ezras Nashim. Comprised of Hasidic women, this global grassroots women’s volunteer agency was the subject of a recent documentary 93Queen (now showing on HBO MAX).

When she was sworn in as civil court judge in December 2016, the occasion was marked by a rendition in Yiddish of God Bless America by Hasidic singer Lipa Schmeltzer.

Enjoy, and a happy 4th!

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.

Happy Birthday USA! Irving Berlin Sings His "God Bless America" in 1968

Irving Berlin when he wrote “God Bless America.”

Today we celebrate America's Independence Day, and also the 100th anniversary of God Bless America, the song first written in 1918 by Israel Balin, the Jewish Russian immigrant later to be known as Irving Berlin.

As Sheryl Kaskowitz wrote this week in The New York Times,

It was a desire to serve his adopted country during World War I that impelled the 30-year-old Berlin, already a successful songwriter, to be naturalized as a citizen in February 1918. That May, he began his military service as an army private at Camp Upton in Yaphank, N.Y., where he was asked to write a soldier show as a fund-raiser.

God Bless America was originally conceived as the finale for the revue, Yip, Yip, Yaphank, but Berlin ultimately decided not to include it. It was shelved and forgotten for 20 years, until he rediscovered the song and provided a revised version to the radio star Kate Smith, who sang it on Nov. 10, 1938, and reprised it weekly.

In this video, Berlin sings the song on The Ed Sullivan Show with Boy Scout and Girl Scout choirs on its 50th anniversary in 1968.

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.



Video by The Ed Sullivan Show
Photo by the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization

A July 4 Special: Two Cantors Combine Hatikvah and America the Beautiful

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, a holiday that we celebrate with Americans of all religions and ethnic groups. 

As the world is riven today by national rivalries, hatreds, and acts of unspeakable cruelty, we can take comfort in the knowledge that the United States of America and Israel share a value system that is truly exceptional.

A few years ago, Angela Buchwald and Julia Katz, the cantors of New York City's Central Synagogue, added a mashup of Hatikvah and America the Beautiful to a Shabbat service to give voice to the hope and vision that these two countries have shared from their birth.

Have a happy Fourth tomorrow and enjoy the music.

(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.)
 

Two Cantors Sing a Fourth of July Mashup of Hatikvah and America the Beautiful

Today is the Fourth of July, a holiday that we celebrate with Americans of all religions and ethnic groups. 

As the world is riven today by national rivalries, hatreds, and acts of unspeakable cruelty, we can take comfort in the knowledge that the United States of America and Israel share a value system that is truly exceptional.

Last year, Angela Buchwald and Julia Katz, the cantors of New York City's Central Synagogue, added a mashup of Hatikvah and America the Beautiful to a Shabbat service to give voice to the hope and vision that these two countries have shared from their birth.

Have a happy Fourth and enjoy the music. 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.)

Israeli Ethiopian Scouts in a Rousing Rendition of Lu Yehi/Let it Be

At a celebration of Israel's Independence Day in Chicago last year, a group of Israeli Ethiopian scouts provided the entertainment, including a rousing interpretation of the song Lu Yehi by Naomi Shemer, composer of Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold). She wrote Lu Yehi during the Yom Kippur war in 1973. It began as a translation of the Beatles’ song Let it Be and evolved into an independent hit.

The scouts, Tzofei Shva, are part of the Israeli Tzofim (Scouts), the only movement in Israel that is both non-political and non-sectarian. In the past few years, the Tzofim began Project Sh’va to foster the integration of youth from the Ethiopian communities into the Scout movement. There are over 1,500 youth originating from Ethiopia involved in the Tzofim.  This represents close to 10% of the Ethiopian youth.  Project Shva develops leadership among the participants and assists them in integrating into Israeli society while preserving their traditions and heritage.

In the Tzofim-Shva the kids learn to be proud of who they are. They feel part of the Israeli society and still are part of their cultural heritage. The kids acquire tools in the Tzofim-Shva that serve them throughout their life. Over the last 5 years, the number of Ethiopian youth in the Tzofim has grown by 1000%, from 150 to 1,500.  Only 42.7% of the Ethiopian youth in high school complete matriculations and only 70% complete their high school studies, while over 85% of these youth in the Tzofim have completed their matriculations and close to 100% have graduated high school. 

And they really know how to dance and sing.  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.)  

God Bless America: A Jewish Gift to Our Nation

In 1918 a 30-year-old Russian Jewish immigrant named Israel Isidore Baline wrote a song for a musical show but pulled it before the show opened. It sat on a shelf for twenty years before the songwriter, now named Irving Berlin, decided to revise it. That year it was introduced to the American public by singer Kate Smith on her radio show.

The song, God Bless America, written as a solemn prayer, became an instant hit. The introductory verses, sung by Kate Smith in 1938, are seldom heard today. They are:

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

One of Berlin's revisions was to replace the original line "Stand beside her and guide her to the right with a light from above" with "Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above." The story goes that Berlin was concerned that the original lyrics might be construed as a call to the political right. 

Today the Jewish immigrant's song will probably be heard "from sea to shining sea," to borrow a phrase from America the Beautiful, another American hymn which will be sung together with The Star Spangled Banner" to round out Independence Day tributes to what writer and talk show host Michael Medved calls "the greatest nation on God's green earth."

In the video below, we show Kate Smith introducing "God Bless America" on her 1938 radio show.  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.)

A Seder to Celebrate the Fourth of July

For the last few years, talk show host Dennis Prager has been promoting the idea of celebrating the Fourth of July, America's Independence Day, with more than just hot dogs and hamburgers. His idea was to include a short ritual during the meal to make the holiday more meaningful, especially to younger members of the family. 

The idea was to include readings by young and old about American independence, the asking of questions by the children, and the eating of symbolic foods that remind us of the significance of the day. If this sounds familiar, it is. Dennis modeled the ceremony on the Passover Seder. It has successfully kept the memory of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt alive for over 3,000 years, and the Fourth of July declaration ceremony is designed to keep the memory of American independence alive for future generations.

The declaration ceremony is explained in a four-page document that can be easily downloaded from the Prager University web site. It includes instructions for the host, the narrative, questions, and a list of materials and food needed for the ceremony. These include iced tea to remember the Boston Tea Party, salty pretzels to remember the tears shed in the Revolutionary War, a bell to recall the ringing of the Liberty Bell, and strawberries and blueberries dipped in whipped cream to celebrate the red, white, and blue of the American flag.

The ceremony ends with everyone signing their names on a clean copy of the Declaration of Independence, also downloadable from the site.

The video below shows Dennis Prager conducting the declaration ceremony at a Fourth of July barbecue picnic. We plan to do something similar tomorrow and hope that you will incorporate some of these elements in your own celebration. 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.)

Israel Day Celebrated in Maryland with Kaveret Poogy and Dance

Last Sunday Israel was celebrated not only on Fifth Avenue in New York City, but also in Rockville, Maryland, where we were spending the weekend. 

Thousands of adults and children gathered at Rockville Town Square to enjoy an Israel @64 Festival sponsored by the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington.

On a glorious sunny day, the square was filled with booths displaying Judaica, jewelry making, sand art, face painting, tefilin demonstrations, and lots of Israeli food. 

For us the highlight of the event was a one hour concert by Danny Sanderson and a musical troupe that brought to life many of the most popular songs by his band, Kaveret (Poogy) which has been a major presence on the Israeli music scene since 1973.

The band, several of whose members met during their service in the Israel Defense Forces, was formed in 1973. It broke up in 1976 by consensus of the band members. Subsequently, Kaveret veterans Gidi Gov and Danny Sanderson along with female vocalist Mazi Cohen and other musicians, formed a spinoff band named Gazoz, and later, another named Doda. As it turned out, six of the seven band members became stars in the Israeli music and entertainment scene in their own right after the band broke up.

The seventh, drummer Meir Fenigstein (whose nickname "Poogy" served as inspiration for the band's name abroad and for some of its material), went on to become a film festival producer.

Many songs by Kaveret became embedded in Israeli culture and are familiar also to the new generation of Israeli youth.

In 1974, Kaveret represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest with their song, Natati La Khayay ("נתתי לה חיי", "I Gave Her My Life"). It finished 7th. In the same year, Kaveret played one of the biggest concerts in Israel ever. While the population of Israel was only 3 million people, over 500,000 fans came to listen to the band perform. "The streets of Israel were empty", said band member Efraim Shamir after the event took place.

Here's a video of Sanderson and the band playing Natati La Khayay and Shir HaMakolet, and a Chassidic dance set to music from Fiddler on the Roof.  

For Poogy fans, we're including a video of the original performance of Natati La Khayay by the band at the Eurovision contest in 1974. For a transliteration and English translation of the song, click here. 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.)

 

 

We've Gotta Live Together - A Musical Tribute to Jewish Unity

 

As we observe Israel's 64th Independence Day today, it's fitting that we focus on  the many streams of Jewish culture that fit together to form the mosaic that we call Israel. 

These streams are varied in national origin, language, culture, and degree and style of religious observance. But they have more in common than the factors that separate them and sometimes bring them into conflict.

As the Aish.com website points out:

Jewish unity was a precondition for entering the Covenant at Sinai. And Jewish unity – pooling all our diverse talents and strengths – is likewise key to fulfilling our national destiny of creating a more spiritual and perfect world.

That does not mean we all need to be identical. Rather, unity means showing respect to each individual and appreciating their unique contribution to the collective whole. According to the Midrash, there are “seventy faces to Torah” and each of the Twelve Tribes had their own “gate in Heaven” through which their prayers entered. We are all on the same team – and each of us adds positively to the mix.

Especially in these challenging times, it is crucial that we build unity among Jews by engaging in acts of kindness, caring and tolerance toward others. The Talmud says that it was baseless hatred amongst Jews that brought about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Only through unconditional love will it be rebuilt.

The Aish.com team has put together a little video set in Jerusalem's Ben Yehuda mall that illustrates the beauty of performing small acts of kindness that bring people of different backgrounds together. In this video one seemingly insignificant act of picking up and returning a dropped glove leads to one act after another that form a chain of smiles that lights up the popular thoroughfare. The video is set to the 1968 song Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone.  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.)

The Prayer for the State of Israel on Independence Day

Tonight at sundown marks the start of Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's 64th Independence Day. It's a day filled with ceremonies and festive celebrations.

The major State Ceremony for Yom HaAtzmaut takes place tonight at Mount Herzl, Israel’s National Ceremony in Jerusalem. This event marks the end of Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s memorial day, which falls immediately before), and the beginning of the celebration for Yom HaAtzmaut. The ceremony involves performances, speeches, and a ceremonial lighting of twelve torches which symbolizes the Twelve tribes of Israel by twelve citizens who have made a great impact upon the country.  At the same time, towns and cities across the country have parties and firework displays.

Tomorrow, parades and events take place across Israel including military fly-pasts, parades, a famous International Bible Competition, and the ceremony for the Israel Prize which is Israel’s highest award and honor. The Israel Prize is given each year to about 10-15 people in the presence of the presence of the President, Prime Minister, the Knesset chairperson, and the Supreme Court president.

Yom HaAtzmaut is a real family day, and Israelis flock to Israel’s National Parks, hiking trails, and beauty spots, for barbecues and picnics.

It's also a day when the Prayer for the State of Israel, said on Shabbat in most synagogues around the world, will be sung as part of the ceremonies and celebrations. Here is a video of the prayer being sung by Shai Abramson, Chief Cantor of the Israel Defense Forces (How many other countries have a chief cantor?) The video includes film clips from the 64 years of Israel's existence, from David Ben-Gurion to the Six Day War to the release of Gilad Schalit last year.

The Hebrew prayer and its English translation from the Sim Shalom siddur appear below the video. Chag Sameach!

(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.)

Our Father in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of the people Israel; Bless the State of Israel, with its promise of redemption. Shield it with Your love; spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth. Help them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our Holy Land. Deliver them; crown their efforts with triumph. Bless the land with peace, and its inhabitants with lasting joy. And let us say: Amen.

(A tip of the kippah to Sheila Zucker for bringing this video to our attention.)