Showing posts with label Passover. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passover. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Timeless Tuesday Passover Nostalgia: Rare 1964 Recordings by Geula Gill and Yehoram Gaon

As we get ready for the last days of this Passover holiday, let's travel back in time 62 years to Israel in 1964 where Israeli singers Geula Gill and Yehoram Gaon recorded some Pesach songs which are now rare recordings.

They sing Betzet Yisrael Mimitzrayim, Yatzanu Mimitzrayim, Be'egozim, and Adir Hu.

We hope you enjoyed our Pesach postings. Jewish Humor Central will not be posting on Wednesday and Thursday. We'll be observing the last two days of this Chag and we'll be back with our usual mix on Friday.

Enjoy, and Chag Kasher v'Sameach!

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Passover Showcase: Israeli a Cappella Group Kippalive Sings a Medley of Seder Songs

Kippalive is Israel's leading A Capella group, famous for its amazing energy, humor, thrilling performances and fresh musical style. 

Founded in 2011 in Raanana, Kippalive has inspired and entertained audiences across the globe, including performances on the Israeli X Factor, at the President's residence, in London, Mexico, and throughout the United States. 

The group's unique ability to blend its Israeli roots with classical Jewish music and modern pop songs has made it one of the top Jewish A Capella groups on YouTube and Facebook, where its videos have generated over 10 Million views. To date, Kippalive has released numerous singles and a critically acclaimed album which has gained worldwide recognition.

With the Pesach seder only a day away, let's get in the mood with Kippalive singing a medley of traditional seder songs.

We're giving Jewish Humor Central a vacation break for a few days while we celebrate the first two days of Pesach and Shabbat in sunny Florida. We'll be back on Sunday with our usual mix.

Wishing you a Chag Pesach sameach!

 

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Park Avenue Synagogue Cantors Share Their Favorite Passover Songs

Like the seder itself, this medley packs in a whole sequence of events. 

Sing along with your favorite tunes and enjoy the ones that are new to you as Cantors Azi Schwartz and Mira Davis of New York's Park Avenue Synagogue share their favorite Passover melodies.

Songs include:

- Order of the Seder
- Ma Nishtana
- Vehi She'amda
- Dayenu
- Ki Lo Ya'eh
- Adir Hu
 
Enjoy!

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Here Come the Pasover Videos - Six13 Sings A Michael Jackson Passover

Pesach is coming, and it's coming soon. In six days we will be sitting down to the seder in Israel, and the first of two sedarim in the diaspora. To get in the mood, we will be sharing some new music videos for the holiday right here on Jewish Humor Central. Today we start with Six13's latest entry, A Michael Jackson Passover.

Anchored by a strong Jewish identity and driven by a mission to connect Jews around the globe with their heritage through music, professional Jewish a cappella group Six13 are the originators of today's Jewish a cappella sound. 

They've performed to rave reviews at the White House, and many more at synagogues, religious schools, JCCs, fundraising events, B'nai Mitzvah and private affairs alike. They’ve appeared all over mainstream media, been cited by Billy Joel and Bruno Mars, received numerous awards for their eight best-selling CDs, been selected as finalists for casting in NBC's "The Sing-Off", and garnered more than 20 million views online.

As we start the countdown to next Wednesday's seder, come and moonwalk right out of Egypt with Six13's Pesach homage to the King of Pop. Ponder the meaning of maror and... Bubbe Jeanne ??? 

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Throwback Thursday Movie Showcase: Pharaoh Loves the Jews in "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb"

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb is a 2014 American fantasy comedy film directed by Shawn Levy and written by David Guion and Michael Handelman. 

It is the third (and final live-action) installment in the Night at the Museum film series, a sequel to Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), and the final installment in the original trilogy. 

The film stars Ben Stiller in the lead role, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Dan Stevens and Ben Kingsley as the Pharaoh.  

In the film, security guard Larry Daley must travel to London to return the Tablet of Ahkmenrah, an Egyptian artifact which causes the exhibits to come to life, before the magic disappears. 

In an encounter with the Pharaoh Ben Stiller has a funny exchange with Ben Kingsley in which they make oblique references to the Jewish enslavement in Egypt, the Exodus, and the Passover Seder.

Enjoy!

 
   #Throwback Thursday      #TBT

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Israeli Comedian Yohay Sponder Tells Hilarious Version of the Passover Story

With over 20 years of experience, Yohay Sponder brings his unique outlook on life to the stage.  Throughout his career he has starred in multiple TV and radio shows. He produces and headlines in 'Funny Monday - Israeli Comedy in English' and has performed all over the world. 

Having gained a massive following on social media, Sponder most recently finished up a sold-out tour in Europe with his new show "Self Loving Jew". 

In June Sponder will be touring the USA, with shows in Boston, Philadelphia, and Fort Lauderdale.

In this video clip from a recent performance, Sponder starts to explain why we clean the house for Passover but ends up telling a hilarious version of the Passover story.

Enjoy!

Friday, April 18, 2025

Welcoming Shabbat with an Egyptian Version of Yigdal by Jenni Asher

Tonight we welcome Shabbat and the seventh day of Pesach with an Egyptian version of Yigdal, the hymn that usually closes the Friday Night service.

This rendition has roots in Egyptian music, which is part of the tradition of Jenni Asher's family. This is the tenth version of the song that we've posted, and it's the first to use an Egyptian tune.

The song is a musical expression of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides)’s Thirteen Principles of Faith.

We will not be posting on Sunday because we'll be in our Florida shul observing the last day of Pesach. We'll be back on Monday with another Joke to Start the Week.

Enjoy, Shabbat shalom, and Chag Pesach sameach! 

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Pesach Shopping in Israel: Like No Shopping Trip You've Experienced in America

Pesach shopping in the USA can be very different depending on where you live. In communities with large Jewish populations like New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Miami Beach, you may find a large selection of Kosher for Passover foods and supplies, but in areas with small Jewish populations your choices may be limited to a small display in your local supermarket.

In Israel, however, Pesach shopping can be a surreal experience with an overwhelming selection of products -- not only foods and supplies such as kiddush cups and matzah covers, but also toys for afikomen gifts like Playmobil and Hot Wheels.

A week before Passover, Malkah Fleischer made a video on her phone of her journey to an Osher Ad supermarket in Israel. Starting with a half hour wait for a parking space and anxiously navigating the parking lot looking for an opening, she documented the vast number and variety of products filling the many aisles of the cavernous space stocked with endless piles of merchandise, organized for Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews based on their respective customs and traditions.

After a dizzying tour of the supermarket, you'll either be jealous of the many choices offered to Israeli customers, or grateful that your choices are limited to a manageable number of products.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Here Comes Another Passover Video: A "Matzah Balls" Parody of Miley Cyrus "Wrecking Ball"

It seems like matzah balls are the perfect parody subject this year. After posting a Matzah Ball parody of Popular from Wicked last Thursday we came across an entirely different parody of Miley Cyrus' 2013 hit song Wrecking Ball with the same name that was posted on Kveller.

This one is performed by Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen of Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles with lyrics by Gordon Lustig.

Enjoy!

Friday, April 11, 2025

Getting Ready for the Seder with Vehi She'amda by Shira Linshe and Noa Goren

It's Pesach time again. Tomorrow night we sit down (and recline) for the seder in Israel and the first of two sedarim in the Diaspora. But tomorrow is Shabbat and so the preparations and procedures are somewhat different from other years.

At the seder we will be singing many songs during the recitation of the Haggadah, and one of the most enduring and memorable ones is Vehi She'amda.

וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵיֽנוּ וְלָנֽוּ. שֶׁלֹא אֶחָד בִּלְבָד, עָמַד עָלֵיֽנוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנֽוּ. אֶלָּא שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר, עוֹמְדִים עָלֵיֽנוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנֽוּ. וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַצִּילֵנוּ מִיָּדָם

Vehi She’amda, La’avotainu Velanu Shelo Echad Bilvad, Amad Aleinu Lechaloteinu Ela Sheb’chol Dor VaDor Omdim Aleinu Lechaloteinu V’HaKadosh Baruch Hu Matzilenu Miyadam.

And this (Hashem’s blessings and the Torah) is what kept our fathers and what keeps us surviving. For, not only one arose and tried to destroy us, rather in every generation they try to destroy us, and Hashem saves us from their hands.

This verse has been set to many melodies, but this one is especially expressive of the message. Composed by Yonatan Razel in 2009, it is sung in this video by Israeli singers Shira Linshe and Noa Goren.

Jewish Humor Central will be taking a break on Sunday and Monday as we observe the first two days of Passover in Florida, but we'll be back with Chol Hamoed videos on Tuesday.

Shabbat shalom and Chag kasher v'sameach!

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Here Come the Passover Videos: Matzah Balls: A Passover Parody of "Popular" from Wicked

With only two days until the Passover seder, we're sharing yet another video parody created for the holiday. This one is a takeoff on the song Popular from the Broadway show and film Wicked.

It was created and sung by Cantor Laura Phillips Fogelman of Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, New York. In this rendition she is joined by Stessa Peers.

Enjoy, and Chag kasher v'sameach!

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

10 Well-Known Passover Rituals That Are Surprisingly Profound

Is Passover just about matzah and freedom, or is there more to the story? Ezra Weiser uncovers 10 of the most surprising Passover traditions, from burning bread to drinking four cups of wine in one night to a door left open for an invisible guest.

Exploring the deep symbolism, unexpected customs, and hidden meanings behind this ancient holiday, Ezra reveals how each custom carries a hidden lesson on freedom and turns history into a living experience.

This special Passover video comes to us through the Judaism Unpacked YouTube channel.

Enjoy, and Chag Sameach!

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Here Come the Passover Videos: Six13 a Cappella Sings PSVR, a Parody of Bruno Mars and Rose's Pop Hit APT

Anchored by a strong Jewish identity and driven by a mission to connect Jews around the globe with their heritage through music, professional Jewish a cappella group Six13 are the originators of today's Jewish a cappella sound. 

They've performed to rave reviews at the White House, synagogues, religious schools, JCCs, fundraising events, B'nai Mitzvah and private affairs alike. They’ve appeared all over mainstream media, been cited by Billy Joel and Bruno Mars, received numerous awards for their eight best-selling CDs, and garnered more than 25 million views online. 

Here's their latest Passover video, PSVR, a parody of Bruno Mars and Rose's pop hit APT.

Enjoy!

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Here Come the Passover Videos: Avi Ganz and Michael Bogart Sing a New Version of Adir Hu

Pesach is coming, and it's coming soon. In six days we will be sitting down to the seder in Israel, and the first of two sedarim in the diaspora. To get in the mood, we will be sharing some new music videos for the holiday right here on Jewish Humor Central. Today we start with a new modern version of Adir Hu, one of the songs from the Hagaddah.

Rising Jewish music star Avi Ganz is back with his second single, a fresh and electrifying take on a classic Passover melody composed by the legendary Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Infused with an infectious funky groove and a bold fusion of Balkan, Middle Eastern, and R&B flavors, this new track is the perfect soundtrack as we prepare for Pesach.  

The single features a powerhouse collaboration with Michael Bogart, former lead trumpet and trombonist of the iconic band Tower of Power. His fiery brass work, combined with Avi’s signature energy, brings new life to this timeless Passover text.

Accompanying the release is a vibrant, high-energy music video shot in the heart of Shuk HaTikva, Tel Aviv. The video captures Avi and Michael trading harmonica and trumpet solos, igniting an electrifying jam session filled with spontaneous crowd interaction and unstoppable rhythm.  

Whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or getting in the Pesach spirit, this track is sure to get you moving. A modern holiday bop with deep roots and explosive energy, it’s a must-add to every Passover playlist. 

Enjoy!

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Vehi She'amda Performed in Concert by Yeshiva Bnei Kinor David with Orchestra and Chorus

Vehi she'amda l'avoteinu v'lanu. (And it is she who stood for our ancestors and for us.)

This line from the Passover Haggadah is the opening to a key paragraph acknowledging the fact that in every generation someone rises up to attack the Jewish people, but God is there to save us.  

The students and staff of Yeshiva Bnei Kinor David, inspired by these words and the "Homeland Concert" project with 1,000 musicians in Caesarea, decided to contribute their part to lifting the spirit of the people by singing and playing mass music to the beloved tune of Yonatan Razel, and to send a gift for Passover with love to the people of Israel in prayer to the Creator of the world.  

Like the Homeland Concert, this version of Vehi she'amda is performed in an open amphitheater with a full chorus and orchestra consisting of old and new instruments.

We will be observing the last two days of Pesach tomorrow and Tuesday and not posting until Wednesday.

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.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Israel Philharmonic with the IDF Orchestra - Naomi Shemer's "Al Kol Eleh"

 
"Please do not uproot the planted, Do not forget the hope. 
Bring me back and I shall return to the good land." 

Today is Chol Hamoed, the intermediate day of Passover, but it's still a struggle to say "Happy Holidays". We found words of encouragement and comfort in the song "Al Kol Eleh”, (For All These), the words of encouragement that Naomi Shemer wrote to her widowed sister. 

Join us in watching and listening to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the musicians of the IDF Orchestra conducted by Major Rom Shamir in this timeless entreaty to God. We hope the line "Hashiveni v'ashuva" (Bring me back and I shall return) is heard and that our hostages return soon. 

Moadim L'simcha!

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.

Monday, April 22, 2024

V'hi She'amda - Timeless Haggadah Song Illusrated in Sand Drawing by Aharon Bernstein

The artist and painter Aharon Z. Bernstein paints scenes in sand to accompany a music video of Yonatan Razel's song V'hi Sheamda.  

The sand drawings illustrate the way that God saves us from our enemies, from the evil pharaoh through Haman, Greeks, Romans, Inquisition, the Holocaust, to our present day.  

And this is that (promise)
which sustained our fathers and us.

That it is not one (enemy) alone
that stood up against us to destroy us.

But that in each generation there are those
standing up against us to destroy us.

But the Holy One Blessed Be He
saves us from their hand.
 

We will be celebrating the first days of Pesach with family and friends at home and in the synagogue, so we will not be posting tomorrow and Wednesday. We'll be back on Thursday with more Passover content.

Enjoy, and have a happy and kosher Pesach! 

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.

Thursday, April 18, 2024

A Yiddish Dayenu from the Folksbiene "Third Seder"


 
As we get ready for the first (and in Israel, the only) Passover seder next Monday evening, we're sharing a version of Dayenu from The Third Seder, a long standing Yiddish cultural tradition.
 
The event, convened in 2021 by Rabbi Avram Mlotek at the Marlene Myerson JCC of Manhattan, featured the leading stars of the Klezmer and Yiddish stage. 
 
The performers included Bob Abelson, Michael Alpert, Alan Bern, Nicole Borger. Joanne Borts, Josh Dolgin, Sarah Gordon, Adrianne Greenbaum, Elmore James, Craig Judelman, Daniel Kahn, Yeva Lapsker, Leon Lapsker Kahn, Yanky Lemmer, Marilyn Lerner, Shura Lipovsky, Frank London, Sasha Lurje, Avram Mlotek, Ravi Mlotek, Sarah Mlotek, Zalm, n Mlotek, Eleanor Reissa, Merlin Shepherd, Polina Shepherd, Ilya Shneyveys, Dinah Slepovitch, Zisl Slepovitch, Lorin Sklamberg, Steven Skybell, Eric Stein, Theresa Tova, Susan Lankin-Watts, Tatiana Wechsler, Steven Weintraub,  and Michael Winograd.
 
The event was sponsored by The National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene
in partnership with Base MNHTN, KlezKanada, The Forward, Forvertz, Kadimah – Jewish Cultural Centre , Yiddish Book Center, Sholem Aleichem College, Jewish Labour Bund Melbourne, Penina Zylberman Yiddish Cultural and Educational Foundation, Kleztival, Ashkenaz Festival, Yiddish Summer Weimar, Shalom Foundation and I. B. Singer Yiddish Festival in Warsaw, YUNG YiDiSH Tel Aviv, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Museum of Jewish History – Living Memorial to the Holocaust, The Workers Circle, Vaybertaytsh, Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, and Jewish Music Institute – Instituto da Música Judaica -Brasil.
 
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.

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

An ABBA Musical Passover Tribute by Six13 - "Matza Pizza"

Anchored by a strong Jewish identity and driven by a mission to connect Jews around the globe with their heritage through music, professional Jewish a cappella group Six13 are the originators of today's Jewish a cappella sound. 

They've performed to rave reviews at the White House and ten of thousands more at synagogues, religious schools, JCCs, fundraising events, B'nai Mitzvah and private affairs alike. They’ve appeared all over mainstream media, received numerous awards for their eight best-selling CDs, been selected as finalists for casting in NBC's "The Sing-Off", and garnered more than 20 million views online.

Now Six13 has released a new musical video for Passover based on ABBA's greatest hits, including Dancing Girl, Take a Chance on Me, A Man After Midnight, and Mamma Mia

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.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Moses Isn't in the Haggadah: A New Song for Passover

In six days, Jews all over the world will get together with their families and friends and open their Haggadot for the Passover seder. 

Is it really true that Moses isn't in the Haggadah? Well, not exactly. His name appears explicitly in the section of the Haggadah in which Rabbi Yossi the Galilean argues that since the “finger of God” was used to inflict 10 plagues, now that the “hand of God” (five fingers) was raised against the Egyptians, they actually suffered fifty plagues at the Red Sea.

Here is the verse: “And when Israel saw the great hand which the Lord had wielded against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord; they had faith in the Lord and His servant Moses” (Ex. 14:31).

But the tradition remains that Moses does not appear in the Haggadah to teach us that God deserves all the credit for taking us out of Egypt.

Eliana Light, a songwriter and performer of catchy, content-rich tunes for all ages, has just released a new YouTube video with the campers and staff of Camp Ramah Darom called Moses Isn't in the Haggadah. It's a worthy addition to the growing collection of popular tunes that get added to the seder every year.

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.