Certifiably the best. . . tune, which Rosenblatt described as "the aristocratic Jewish neigh- borhood of New York." Rosenblatt was a tenor with a 2 1/2-octave range whose singing was both emotional and power- ful. At Ohab Zedek he earned $2,400 a year (it might not buy much these days, but back then it was an absolute fortune) and found quick and extensive suc- cess among both Jews and gen- tiles in the United States. Hours before he was to appear in con- cert, the streets would be lined with men and women waiting to buy a ticket. In 1928, Rosenblatt made his film debut. Though he himself was never seen, his voice was the star of the famed Jazz Singer, the first feature film with sound. Rosenblatt was successful pro- fessionally but lacked any busi- ness acumen. After a series of poor investments, and giving away much of his money to char- ity, Rosenblatt went bankrupt. In an effort to pay off his debts, he began working nonstop. He was in Jerusalem making a film when he died in 1933. In addition to singing, Rosen- blatt wrote a number of musical pieces, mostly based on Jewish liturgy. He both wrote and recorded this lullaby, "Sleep Qui- etly." Ai, li, lu, li lu "never again will see her little boy." One of the most beautiful, most haunting lullabies ever written, "Dremlen Feygl" ("Birds are Dreaming") tells a true sto- ry. Lea Rudnitska was born in 1916 in Kalvarie, Lithuania. She was a teacher and poet whose works were known throughout the country. In 1939 she moved to Vilna, where she served on the staff of the Yiddish journal Vilna Truth. The Nazis occupied Vilna in 1941, forcing thousands of Jews into the ghetto. Among those im- prisoned was Lea Rudnitska. Although Lea was active in life in the ghetto — she joined a cul- tural arts group and continued to write — her spirit became a well of despair, and her poetry was filled with words that seemed to weep. In the ghetto Lea met a woman named Pesye Aronowicz, who had survived a Nazi mas- sacre in Ponar, just outside Vil- na. Inspired by the story of a 3-year-old who perished at Ponar, Lea wrote the words for "Birds Are Dreaming," then adapted the tune from a piece by Leyb Yam- polsky, a Russian-Jewish com- poser whose own works often focused on poverty-stricken Jews in Russia. The song was first pub- lished in 1948. Sleep, now, my precious little bird. On the branches the birds are dreaming, Close now your pure little eyes. Sleep, my precious child, Sleep now, sleep in sweet repose. Beside your cradle, at the dugout, Certified Watch Now On Staff. We are now factory-trained and authorized in the repair of Tag Heuer, Omega, Rado, Hamilton, and Tissot watches as well as, all ETA movements. We offer the best in service including: FREE estimates v 2 year warranty on most repairs • Complete repair & reconditioning v Batteries resealed and pressure tested • Vintage watch repair v Service available on all Major brands including: Rolex, Ebel, Movado, Concord, Raymond Weil, Citizen, Seiko and more.* Sits a stranger, singing. Sleep through the whole night. Over your head an angel watch- es. Close your little eyes. Little doves, little birds, Little goats, calves sleep. All sleep and rest at night Like all the little children. Sleep now, my little bird. Close your little eyes. Once you had a little cradle, Made of joy, But your mother, oh your mother Will never see her child again. *Factory certified by Tag Heuer, Omega, Rado, Hamilton, Tissot and ETA. I saw your father running Under a hail of stones. His sad cry echoes in the field, He is abandoned, all alone. Lea Rudnitska was deported in 1943 to Majdanek, and died ei- ther there or at Treblinka. The Dreaming Birds Editor's Note n the tree branches rest birds who dream in the dark night. And in a cra- dle in the Vilna Ghetto lies a baby whose parents are gone for- ever. At the cradle sits a stranger, singing. She tells the child of his father "running under a hail of stone" and of his mother, who Ghana Mlotek, an expert on Jewish folk songs and music archivist for YIVO, the New York-based institute for Yid- dish studies, was especially helpful in researching some material for this story, notably Lea Rudnitska's "Birds Are Dreaming." C Located inside the north entrance of Orchard Mall 6337 Orchard Lake Rd. at Maple Rd. West Bloomfield, MI 48322, 810-932-7700 ❑ I am so tired now. Diamonds and Fine jewelry Nobody Wants a Guilt Trip! A Seminar for interfaith families with Lena Romanoff, educational psychologist, director and founder of the Jewish Converts & Interfaith Network. Ms. Romanoff has answers to your difficult questions. Discover how honest, kind, respectful communication among your children, parents, grandchildren, and in-laws can keep your family together. $5/person. Sunday, April 21, 1996 • 10:30 am Call Ruth Beresh, Director, for more information: 810-681-5353 Eugene & Marcia Applebaum JEWISH PARENTING CENTER Congregation Shaarey Zedek-B'nai Israel Center 4200 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield