Classic Jewish Holiday & Shabbat Songs

Theodore Bikel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 13, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sameach Music
• ASIN: B0000SVZTW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,094 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #32 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Traditional Folk
  • #35 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Israel

Track Listings

1. High Holidays - L'Shana Tova, Avinu Malkenu

2. Sukkot - Lama Sokkah Zu, Sisu V'simhu

3. Chanuka - Mi Y'malel, Chanuka, S'vivan, Little Dreydl, Chanuka Oh Chanuka, Maoz Tzur

4. Tu Bishvat - Hashkediya

5. Purim - Chag Purim, A Wicked Man

6. Passover - Ma Nishtana, Dayenu, Eliyahu Hanavi, Chad Gadya, Pharaanu

7. Shavuot - Baruch Elokeinu

8. Shabbat - L'Cha Dodi, Shalom Alechem, Shavua Tov

9. Unity - Hine MaTov

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Mr. Bikel made his concert debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall in 1956 in a folk song program; each year subsequently he has appeared in concerts throughout the U.S.A., Canada, and Europe. He has also appeared in concert in Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. Besides frequent appearances with symphony appearances with symphony orchestras in varied programs, he has also performed in the more intimate surroundings of some of the nation’s well-known clubs. Mr. Bikel has recorded 20 record albums mostly for the Elektra label in addition to a few releases on Columbia, Peter Pan, and Reprise. He is also an accomplished translator of song lyrics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice instructive CD with songs in both Hebrew and English, February 23, 2005

By 

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Classic Jewish Holiday & Shabbat Songs (Audio CD)

This CD is a learning tool, not a concert. It's an excellent way for both children and adults to learn the basic traditional songs that every Jew should know, as well as a few new ones, such as Hashkediya, "The Almond Tree," for Tu B'Shevat. Most of the tunes will be familiar, although the version of "Hiney MaTov" on this CD is a more peppy, Israel-sounding tune, rather than the one we sang in summer camp years ago. Frankly, I like this one better.

Bikel introduces each section with a short narrative, then sings the songs clearly, with simple guitar accompanyment. Most of the songs have both Hebrew and English lyrics. For people who don't speak Hebrew, this is a great help for getting the "feel" or "spirit" of a song. There's even a Purim ballad entirely in English. (I know, I know -- all Jews SHOULD know Hebrew. But a lot don't. Then there are people who just aren't good at languages. Our ancestors in Eastern Europe sang in Yiddish, which was their everyday language. So nu? Why can't American Jews sing in English?)

One minor annoyance is that the songs are not numbered on the cover of the CD. This makes it hard to go directly to a specific holiday if you are doing a class. On the plus side, the CD comes with a very nice booklet (where the songs ARE numbered) that has all the Hebrew lyrics transliterated into English spelling, as well as the English lyrics.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rabbi Yonassan Gershom - Thank you!, January 18, 2007

By 

JGo "digging4roots" (Albany, OR, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Jewish Holiday & Shabbat Songs (Audio CD)

I read your review and decided to take a chance.

After buying so many different CD's this is the first one my grandmother fell in love with.

You're right -- it's instructional -- but for my grandmother who is suffering from senile dimensia, it's a g*d send. It helps her to remember and she sings along even when she doesn't know the words.

I also like it just for me since it's the music I grew up with and I get much enjoyment from it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect for teaching kids, January 17, 2010

By 

webbiest - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Jewish Holiday & Shabbat Songs (Audio CD)

I bought this CD to get my young children ready for a seder. My husband didn't really remember the words and I didn't know them at all. I play the CD in the car to get ready for whatever holiday is coming up. The words are easy to hear because it is just Bikel singing, accompanying himself on the guitar. He also says a few words to introduce each song. The liner notes provide English transliteration of the Hebrew lyrics which is also really useful for those unfamiliar with the songs.