Resuscitation of an Old Bromide
by: Schvach Yid

There’s some hype over a new rendition of that old Jewish musical classic, Hava Negila, which according to the language chachamim translates as ‘Let Us Rejoice’ (frankly, I think this translation gives this time-honored musical piece a very un-Jewish Bach-like identity).

The act is caught on video by YouTube, and can be viewed and read about at:
http://www.yoyenta.com/?p=1726
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/935420.html
http://www.forward.com/articles/12217/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgdHjWPuCrI&eurl=http://www.yoyenta.com/?p=1726
http://jwablog.jwa.org/hava-nagila-for-a-teeny-bopper-christmas

The YouTube site has video links to a variety of renditions, including one that features Bob Dylan playing harmonica.

The big deal? Well, this rendering features a jazzed-up Sephardic/Mizrachi beat which I find refreshing, as opposed to the standard old version which has always bored me.

If you find the performance too teeny-bop, or in violation of Derech HaTznius (and it is!) just close your eyes or flip through a mag while listening to the tune. According to YoYenta.com, the vocal performer, Lauren Rose (née Goldberg) is a mere 17 years of age; her audience participants are evidently much younger.

Enjoy!