Chanukkah: In Story and Song
Tomorrow, December 10, starts the celebration of Hanukkah. In this post, we wanted to highlight an audio recording meant to be thoughtfully listened with family and loved ones.
The album is started off with Oy Chanukkah, Oy Chanukkah.
Oy Chanukah, Oy Chanukah
a yontif a sheiner,
A lustiger; a freilicher
nito noch a zeyner.
Alle nacht in dredlech,
Shpiln mir,
zudig heise latkes, es un a shir.
Geshvinder tsindt kinder
Di dininke lichtlech ohn.
Zingt "Al Hanisim", loybt Got far di nisim,
Un kumt gikher tantsen in kohn.
Oh Chanukkah, Oh Chanukkah
What a beautiful holiday!
It is happy and joyous.
It has no equal.
Every night we play dreydle (spin the top)
And eat tasty, hot latkes (pancakes), as many as you want.
Hurry children, light the candles.
Each one of you sing “al hanissim” (about the miracles).
Praise God for the miracles
and dance together in circles.
This recording features not just traditional music from varying Jewish nationalities, but also the story of Hanukkah narrated throughout the music. Recorded in 2001, Leonard Nimoy narrates the story written by Rabbi Gerald Skolnik. The music is performed by the long-time running vocal sextet The Western Wind, accompanied by a small chamber group of violin, accordion and double bass. You can find more information about the music's origins and translations on The Western Winds website.
Listen to the album online after entering your ACE login credentials.
