Hanukkah Hanukkah (Original Pop Version) – Upgrading Traditional Music – A creative, fun and creative experience to enhance Jewish identity and celebration.
The Story Behind the Song!
A number of years ago, I was on my journey back to Los Angles after having just been celebrating Hanukkah in Israel. On the way, I stopped off in New York. I was riding the elevator in the World Trade Center, and was hearing all the X-mas songs being played. I said to myself, it would really be nice if there was the kind of inspiring, fun, and entertaining Hanukkah music that people would actually enjoy hearing while riding in the elevator, or listening on the radio in their car or at home. It would be a good thing for Jews to have a positive presence within the greater society’s Season’s experiences. Jews would benefit from feeling comfortable and proud about their Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, and gentiles would have an opportunity to appreciate Jewish tradition, values, culture and peoplehood. I said to myself, “Simcha you need to do something!” I went back home to Los Angeles (I now live in Israel!!) and I wrote and produced a new updated version of the traditional song “Hanukkah Hanukkah” with original English lyrics and a Jazz-Pop musical arrangement. I am happy to say that radio stations accepted and played the song in New York, Los Angeles and Florida. Perhaps you can take this idea and utilize it in your classrooms and homes or even with yourself. Creating music as an expression of Judaism, as well as one’s connection to it is fun, creative, personally meaningful, and is the continuation of an important contribution and teaching of David Hamelech (King David).
Please enjoy listening to the song, and share it with your friends. I would be very happy to receive your feedback. Feel welcome to email me.
