While Adam Sandler and Woody Guthrie ventured into writing Hanukkah songs, they don’t hold a candle to another singer-songwriter. It was American musician, satirist and mathematician Tom Lehrer who arguably wrote and performed the holiday’s best American-based tune. While Mr. Sandler’s Hanukkah tune is quite funny, there is no dreydeling around on this choice. Mr.Continue reading “RIP, A Hanukkah Legend”
Category Archives: songs
Casting A Song
this week’s torah portion- haazinu- is moses’ departing song to the children of israel. this moment highlights music’s connection to cultural memory. the bible’s earliest portions, as recognized by scholars, are songs. two of the most important being the song of the sea and the song of deborah. while we cannot re-telling oration at theContinue reading “Casting A Song”
A Song Fit For A King: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
if a poll was conducted, jewish children and many congregants would mostly likely select the singing of the poem “adon olam” as their favorite part religious services. while the song is beautiful, the sheer fact that this liturgy- praising the master of the universe-signifies the service’s conclusion makes it the winner. as such, congregants, withContinue reading “A Song Fit For A King: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Did Bob Dylan Fleece Rod Stewart? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
nobel prize winner in literature, mr. bob dylan, penned the song “forever young.” later, rock and roll great, mr. rod stewart, also penned a song “forever young.” the stewart song was so familiar to mr. dylan’s song that mr. dylan is shared writing credits and royalties. one must wonder whether mr. dylan fleeced mr. stewart?Continue reading “Did Bob Dylan Fleece Rod Stewart? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
He Honored His Father With a Song: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
in 1972, mr. david gates, after his father’s passing, penned the song “everything i own.” at his father’s funeral, a friend told him that mr. gates’ father was always proud of him and his music. songfacts.com mr. gates, inspired by these words, penned a song honoring his father. gates said, “my success would have beenContinue reading “He Honored His Father With a Song: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Freedom To Put A Square Peg In A Round Hole: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
won’t you help to sing these songs of freedom? bob marley songs of freedom are special. passover seders often conclude and singing breaks out. the passover songbook is expansive. there are the classics such as dayenu, chad gad ya, and mee lo eh. american seders have also included the african american spiritual “go down moses.”Continue reading “The Freedom To Put A Square Peg In A Round Hole: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Honoring One’s Father By Singing The Most Emotionally Painful Song: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
before he was born, his father wrote a song about his child to be. the song is considered one of the greatest singer-songwriter songs of all-time. the father-son relationship, unfortunately, did not last long. a few years later, his father tragically died in a plane accident. the father, the great mr. jim croce, the son,Continue reading “Honoring One’s Father By Singing The Most Emotionally Painful Song: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
A Rock N’ Roll Love Psalm? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
And you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your means deuteronomy 6:5 an experience from an unsuspecting source can bring meaning. this meaning may not quite fit within a narrative or may defy logic. with imagination, however, the square peg can somehow fitContinue reading “A Rock N’ Roll Love Psalm? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Unhealthy Obsession With Anne Frank: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
Emperor Meiji:Tell me how he died. Algren:I will tell you how he lived. last samurai quotes.net i asked a friend, if you had to choose between two people to admire, “which one would you choose?” her choices were as follows: (1) a young german-dutch woman who was a talented writer. she, along with her family,Continue reading “The Unhealthy Obsession With Anne Frank: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Honoring Your Grandmother, the Queen: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
royal drama is great for the tabloids, conversation and of course, oprah. unfortunately, this drama gave me a new neighbor in my state, prince harry. since arriving to california, he and his wife apparently have decided to celebrate festivis, the seinfeld created holiday, on a year-round basis. we, the public, been subjected to the perpetualContinue reading “Honoring Your Grandmother, the Queen: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Ten Commandments Project 