We seem to be living in the age of the "reboot," when people can't get enough fresh takes on old tales. And the word "Hanukkah" might even be creatively translated as such. This year's hit collection of holiday covers and originals, HANUKKAH+, includes the likes of...
written by
Joshua Breitzer
Michelle Citrin: Hanukkah Lovin
Over the last hundred years, Hanukkah has swelled in significance and popularity among the American Jewish community. In a twist, this trend strangely seems to suit the ancient rabbinic injunction that the holiday miracle ought to be publicized far and wide. In the...
Flory Jagoda: Ocho Kandelikas
Jewish communities can be found all over the world and can be heard speaking many different languages. Ladino is the vernacular favored by many Jews of Sephardic (Spanish) descent. Also called "Judaeo-Spanish," it contains elements of Hebrew, Greek, and various Balkan...
Benedetto Marcello: Maoz Tzur
This medieval poem so closely associated with Hanukkah is often sung to a triumphant, march-like tune based on a German drinking song. Benedetto Marcello, a Venetian contemporary of Vivaldi, composed this wandering, evocative melody that gives new life to the notion...
Moishe Oysher: Happy Hanukkah
Hot a gitn Khanike! This week we're sampling just a smattering of Hanukkah music from around the world and across time. The great 20th century cantor and Yiddish film star Moishe Oysher released a number of self-titled Jewish holiday LPs, including the Moishe Oysher...
Jack Yellen and Lew Pollack: My Yiddishe Momme
Jacob's true love Rachel and favored child Joseph arrive just in time for the fourth day of Sukkot. Unlike our previous pairs this week, these two are mother and son, and are absolutely crying out for this vaudeville classic to be featured today. After combing through...