Oy Chanukah
Tonight is the first night of Chanukah. As is usual for me at this time of year, I started singing Jewish folk songs in my head. This reminded me of a time a few years ago when I was in shul on Rosh Hashanah. I was davening away, when suddenly I saw over to my left my favorite singer of folk songs - Theodore Bikel. I could not believe I was davening with Theodore Bikel. And of course the rabbi, knowing who he was, called him up to lead the congregation in a song. Not only was I davening with Theodore Bikel, but I got to hear him sing a song live. This was like a shul dream come true. Suddenly the long hours of stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down melted away. So in honor of that, I am going to share with you a few Jewish folk songs. The first two are actually performed by the Klezmer Conservatory Band (a fine klezmer band and my personal favorite). The last three are sung by Theodore Bikel. Click on the menorah to bring up the page with the songs, and then choose the song you wish to listen to.
Happy Chanukah to all! And a special thanks to BT for introducing me to this fabby program, Soundnails, which allows you to convert MP3s to flash files. No copyright concerns.
UPDATE: It occurs to me I should probably translate the Yiddish for those who have no idea what the song titles mean. Oy Chanukah, Oy Chanukah is pretty obvious. A Freiliche Nacht in Gan Eden means A Joyous Night in the Garden of Eden. Lomir Zich Iberbeten means Let's Make Peace. A balalayka is a Russian musical instrument. Lomir Alle Zingen means Let's All Sing.
Comments
Lesley,
Last summer, at The Daily Rant I said that you were my hero. But I didn’t say why.
Back in the days of the Politically Incorrect Café, you were always the calming voice of reason. Mediating the pettiest of disputes. Rarely getting down in the mud yourself. But that’s not why you’re my hero.
On September 11, I didn’t know how narrowly you escaped that horrible fate. As I read your story of what had happened to you, I was relieved that the Big Apple still had it’s Plum. Your essay added a personal touch that I would have not had if not for you. But that’s not why you’re my hero.
Last summer I read the eulogies you wrote for your former co-workers. As I read the one about the quiet guy who sat outside your office, I saw myself. And I remember wishing that someone would write such kind words about me after I have shuffled off this mortal coil. And that’s why you are my hero, because you make me want to be a better person.
Last month, my wife and I went to Miami for a quiet weekend away from the kids. We had a box of CDs for the 4-hour (each way) drive. My tastes run towards classic rock, but my wife came from a country background. I found myself thinking of you, and that quiet guy, as randy Travis sang
I've found only two things that last 'til the end,
One is your heroes, the other's your friends
Your heroes will help you find good in yourself
Your friends won't forsake you for somebody else
They'll both stand beside you through thick and through thin
That's how it goes with heroes and friends
Lesley, thank you for being my hero and friend.
Happy Hanukah
Just John
Posted by: Just John | December 19, 2003 05:14 PM
John - Wow. I'm incredibly honored and touched that anyone would say such nice things about me. Thank you very, very much.
Posted by: Lesley | December 19, 2003 05:50 PM