A Musical Special for Yom Haatzmaut - Israel Independence Day - Kol Esperanza in an Israeli Medley

 

Tonight we transition from Yom Hazikaron (Israel's Memorial Day) to Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day) as the Jewish nation moves from sorrow to joy. 

 

In celebration of Yom Haatzmaut we share a performance of a medley of Israeli songs by Kol Esperanza. The medley includes Al Hadvash v'al Haoketz, Erev Shel Shoshanim, and Bashana Ha'ba'ah.

 

Kol Esperanza (Voice of Hope) is an exciting operatic/pop trio featuring Nimrod, Adam and Omer under the musical direction of composer, arranger, and conductor Tomer Adaddi. These world-class singers perform the best of Opera, Broadway, Pop, and Jewish and Israeli favorites, blending classical tradition with  a vibrant new sound. Kol Esperanza’s vocalists have performed in prestigious venues the world over, and their talent and charm combine to deliver a powerfully emotional musical experience.

Enjoy, and Yom Haatzmaut sameach! 

Am Yisrael Chai - The Nation of Israel Lives on Its 76th Independence Day

Yesterday's Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) in Israel transitioned last night to Yom Ha'atzmaut, a day of celebration of Israel's 76th birthday. Today we offer a salute to Israel on its years of outstanding achievements in so many areas.

Eyal Golan leads us in his popular song Am Yisrael Chai (The Nation of Israel Lives). Eyal is an Israeli singer who sings in the Mizrahi music pop fusion genre, and is considered one of the most successful singers in Israel.

Enjoy and Chag Sameach!

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Celebrating Israel's 75th Independence Day with Rabotai a Cappella Group

Rabotai (meaning gentlemen) is a fresh and exciting Jewish a cappella group comprised of energetic vocal talent and professional beatboxing. 

Coming from different corners of the world, its members found each other in Israel, where they are rapidly becoming a sought after group to entertain audiences big and small. They specialize in mixing classical Jewish songs with modern pop. 

Today we're celebrating Israel's 75th Independence Day by sharing Rabotai's mashup of Hatikvah and the prayer for the State of Israel that they recorded for Israel's 70th Independence Day in 2018.

Wishing you a very happy Yom Haatzmaut!

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Today Israel Celebrates its 74th Independence Day

Last night, after the end of Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day), a day of sadness and subdued music, Israel came alive with the joy of celebration as the nation started a 24 hour commemoration of Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day).

All across the country, the aromas of barbecues filled the air as the streets were filled with music and singing. The Israeli Air Force put on an air show over much of the country. The celebrations will continue all day today until nightfall.

Today we join Israel's i24 News in wishing the people of Israel a very happy 74th birthday.

Mazal tov and Chag Sameach!

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Happy Birthday Israel! Tonight the Jewish World Celebrates Israel's 74th Independence Day

Chag Sameach to all of our readers and to the State of Israel in celebration of its 74th Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day). The celebration starts tonight at the conclusion of Yom Hazikaron and continues all day Thursday.

Today we're posting a tribute to the land of milk and honey. With a background of Israelis of all ages joining Koolulam singing Chai (We are alive) the video travels the length and breadth of the country with familiar scenes of popular sites and a clip of David Ben Gurion proclaiming the state in 1948. 

Enjoy!

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Happy Israel Independence Day! Taking a Quick Tour of Israel on its 73rd Birthday

Today is Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's 73rd birthday. It's a day for festivities and barbecues all over the country. It commemorates the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. In Israel, it's celebrated with fireworks, barbecues, and public concerts. 

The Aardvark Israel organization has produced a video tour of Israel as experienced by participants in its gap year programs located in the two most exciting cities in Israel: Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. 

Its students have the privilege to live in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, travel with new friends from Israel and around the world, walk the city streets, hike the desert hills, speak Hebrew, and intern at their dream companies.

Happy Independence Day to Israelis and lovers of Israel around the world!

Enjoy!

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Yom HaAtzmaut Special: HaZamir Beit Shean Sings Prayer for the State of Israel

HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir is a youth movement that welcomes  musically talented Jewish teens from a broad range of cultural backgrounds and levels of religious observance.  

HaZamir offers high schoolers in 31 chapters across the United States and nine in Israel the opportunity to learn and sing Jewish choral music at the highest musical standard and on the world’s greatest stages.

One of the Israeli chapters is in the city of Beit Shean, a city in the Northern Region at the junction of the Jordan River Valley and the Jezreel Valley. This year, with everyone staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic, members of HaZamir Beit Shean created a virtual choir to celebrate Israel's Independence Day, Yom HaAtzmaut.

Merging videos from nine indoor and outdoor locations around Beit Shean, the teenage singers posted T'filah L'Shlom Medinat Yisrael, their tribute to Israel's 72nd independence day on YouTube. 

Enjoy, and Chag Sameach!

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Hava Nagila Around the World: Thailand Girl Group Celebrates Israel's 71st Birthday

After posting 75 versions of Hava Nagila, Israel's most loved and most hated song, from all over the world, you'd think we'd run out of versions? Nope, not a chance. They keep coming up and keep on being posted on YouTube. 

This latest one was performed by six members of the famous BNK48 band together with an Israeli singer last month at the 71st Independence Day of the State of Israel Reception in Thailand.

The group is named after Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, where its theatre, BNK48 the Campus, is located.

Enjoy!

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Yavneh Academy Gets the Koolulam Spirit with "Hallelujah"

We've been posting the singing extravaganzas of the Israeli Koolulam ever since they started the project for Israel's 70th Independence Day celebration last year in Tel Aviv.

Koolulam’s popularity has soared since then, with Israelis jumping at the opportunity to come together with thousands of strangers — to sing. But it's popularity hasn't been limited to Israel. The idea has become infections and has stimulated groups of singers to come together in other locales.

The excitement has reached Paramus, New Jersey, home of the 77 year old Yavneh Academy, a modern Orthodox co-ed yeshiva. On Yom Haatzmaut last month, the entire student body came together to sing Hallelujah in their own version of Koolulam.

Enjoy!

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President Rivlin and Boaz Sharabi Sing "Halevai" as Israel Celebrates 71st Independence Day

Today is Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's 71st Independence Day.

In honor of the day of country-wide celebrations, President Reuven Rivlin and singer Boaz Sharabi recorded a festive version of the song Halevai (I wish) with the participation of dozens of singing groups and choirs from around the country.  

Sharabi is a famous singer-songwriter, composer and lyricist who has sold over two million records and had over 30 number one hits in the charts.

Enjoy!


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World Jewish Congress Presents the Hatikvah Project

Thousands of people from 50 countries, of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds, have joined the World Jewish Congress in compiling a special gift of hope for the State of Israel, to celebrate 70 years of Independence – singing Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem, in one voice.

Enjoy!

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Israel @ 70 Mashup With Yonina - 14 Israeli Hits From 7 Decades

Yonina is a husband and wife musical duo whose upbeat arrangements of Jewish music old and new we've featured lately. Yoni and Nina Tokayer have created a musical mashup of Israeli hits going back to the declaration of the state in 1948.

In celebration of 70 years of statehood and 70 years of music, the mashup includes Hava Nagila, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, Mayim, Rak b'Yisrael, Lach Yerushalayim, Abanibi, Nolad'ti LaShalom, Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu and many others.

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.

70 Years in the Promised Land Celebrates Israel's Musical Origins

In this 70th year of Israel's founding, we've been sharing video clips of  Tomer Adaddi's energetic musical concert,  70 Years in the Promised Land, the original show that was presented in a series of concerts last month in South Florida.

Through musical artistry, the cast bestowed heartfelt birthday wishes for peace and prosperity upon the young nation. The evening immersed the audiences in a profound experience, comprised of the sights and sounds of Israel and the far reaches of the Diaspora.

This clip is a medley of songs from Yemen, Poland, and Russia that form the foundation of Israel's musical heritage.

Enjoy!
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Israel's 70th - The Worldwide Celebration Continues in Song and Dance with Israel Sheli (My Israel)

Israel's 70th birthday is over, but the celebrations will continue around the world all year long. A special song has been selected as the official song to commemorate the occasion, and it is catching fire worldwide in song and dance.

The song is Yisrael Sheli (My Israel) and the official video is by Israeli pop singers Yardena Arazi and Lior Narkis. It's a very catchy tune and must have been released a few weeks ago so it could be used to train groups of dancers who recorded their versions for sharing on YouTube. 

Here is the original music video, followed by a montage of dance groups in 48 cities in 16 countries performing the same dance. We should warn you that it's infectious and if you watch both videos you may be singing and humming the melody and dancing around your house and neighborhood all weekend long. 

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

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.

70 Years in the Promised Land - Hora Medley to Celebrate Independence

Continuing our tribute to Israel on its 70th birthday, we're sharing another excerpt from the new show 70 Years in the Promised Land as performed by an international cast of singers assembled by Musical Director and Producer Tomer Adaddi.

This excerpt is a collection of horas with black and white films of the original dancing in the streets of Tel Aviv on the first Independence Day in May 1948.

Just below this video we're also sharing a video interview wiith musical director Tomer Adaddi in which he talks about the Spanish River concerts in South Florida and explains the origins of the show and talks about the performers who are actors and singers in Habima, the Israel National Theatre.

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.

12,000 Israelis Unite in Song for Israel’s 70th Independence Day

To celebrate Israel's 70th Independence Day, Koolulam invited 12,000 people who hadn't met before to sing together in a special event with the artist Shlomi Shabat, accompanied by the Jerusalem Street Orchestra, in collaboration with the Office of the President, the Ministry for Social Equality, and the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality.

As Renee Ghert-Zand wrote in The Times of Israel,

Koolulam’s popularity has soared since it kicked off in Tel Aviv in April 2017, with Israelis jumping at the opportunity to come together with thousands of strangers — to sing.

The NIS 40 ($11.50) tickets for recent Koolulam events have sold out in mere minutes. In under an hour, participants learn a three-part arrangement of a Hebrew or English song, and then perform it for a video to be shared on social media. Views of the videos reach into the hundreds of thousands, and millions in some cases.

When they conceived of the initiative, Koolulam’s three founders, Ben Yefet, Michal Shahaf Shneiderman, and Or Taicher, were aiming for that feeling of connection between strangers.

Shneiderman, 33, takes credit for the initiative’s catchy name. It’s a multiple play on the English word “cool,” the Hebrew word “kulam” (everyone), the Hebrew word “kol” (voice), and “kululu,” the ululation sound of joy some Israelis of North African and Middle Eastern descent make at happy occasions like bar mitzvahs and weddings.

“Basically, the gist of it is that we should all be happy together,” Shneiderman said.

In that spirit, let's all join in singing Al Kol Eleh to wish a very happy 70th birthday to the State of Israel.

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A Joke to Start the Week - "The Creation of Israel"

Yes, it's Monday again -- Monday of a very special week that includes the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel on Wednesday evening. There will be ceremonies in Israel and around the world to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, and memorial services on Tuesday evening, Yom Hazikaron, for those who gave their lives in defense of the State of Israel. 

But all that is later in the week. Today is joke day, and here is one for Israel's birthday.

Here's the setup: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. On the third day, God was very busy creating the land. He turned to the angel Gabriel and said "Today I'm going to create a land called Israel." And then...

Enjoy!

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Welcoming Shabbat with Adon Olam and Oseh Shalom from "70 Years in the Promised Land"

Musical Director and Producer Tomer Adaddi assembled an international cast of singers to celebrate the 70th birthday of Israel. Their show, 70 Years in the Promised Land, was presented in a series of concerts last month in South Florida.

Through musical artistry, the cast bestowed heartfelt birthday wishes for peace and prosperity upon the young nation. The evening immersed the audiences in a profound experience, comprised of the sights and sounds of Israel and the far reaches of the Diaspora.

The concerts are over, but we found video clips of the performances on the Internet, and we'll be sharing them as part of our continuing celebration of Israel's 70th birthday. As we welcome Shabbat again tonight, here is the ensemble as they appeared on stage singing Adon Olam and Oseh Shalom.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

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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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Project Seventy Will Bring 70 Unusual Videos to Celebrate Israel's 70th Birthday

As Israelis get ready to approach the state’s 70th birthday, many people are celebrating. Israel has existed for thousands of years. Due to Israelis returning to their homes and land in modern times, people have good reason to celebrate. A lot has happened in the past seventy years. 

Australian  globetrotter and energetic personality Joseph Waks moved to Miami via Europe and set out to travel more and more in Israel. Somewhere along the way this project began out of just pure love for the adventures, the people, the land, nature, and creativity of the Israeli people.

We'll be following Joseph's videos for Project Seventy as he travels throughout Israel and posts videos of his adventures in out of the way places. Between now and Israel's 70th birthday we'll pick some of the best and share them with you. Here is a taste of what you'll be seeing.

Enjoy!

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