During the Jewish people's long and
difficult exile, and after their dramatic
return to their ancient homeland 50
years ago, music has informed and
provided a soundtrack for the Jewish
experience."
For those who are not familiar with
the Hebrew or English words to spe-
cific songs, the liner notes provide
Bistie Shain."
them. There also is a bit of history to
Rabbi Jay Levy, a religious -Ind
explain holidays and the significance
secular composer and performer,
of the music that was chosen.
produced the album. The rabbi,
"We wanted to include performers
46, who has supervised and pro-
who would give the traditional sounds
duced projects for the Bee Gees,
as well as some
Eric Clapton, John Stewart and
different takes
others, appeared with Andy Gibb
on the music,"
at Pine Knob.
"This album gave me a chance
the rabbi
explains about
to combine two things I really
the entertainers
love — modern techniques of
asked to record.
recording and ancient music,"
"Theodore
says Rabbi Levy, who can be
Bikel is a folk
heard on guitar, piano, man-
music legend,
dolin, percussion and backing
and Gary
vocals. "I wanted to give people
Mallaber was a
music for every Jewish occasion,
drummer with
making the recording something
that they could use all year long."
Bruce
The 25
Springsteen.
tracks, available
"Typically
on recordings, everything is done sep-
on a single CD
arately, but we sang as musicians were
or cassette,
playing and later added harmonies."
include holiday
If the spirit of Chanukah and
medleys, such
singing along leaves record-buying
as one for
participants with an appetite, the
Shabbat that
notes also provide a few favorite holi-
features "Bim
day recipes — sweet chicken, potato
Born,"
"Shabbat
pancakes (lathes) and Grammy's apple-

Mixed Media

News Reviews

Rabbi Jay Levy:
'Music has informed
and provided a
soundtrack for the
Jewish experience."

Not Just For Chanukah

If you like singing Chanukah songs,
this year you can sing them along with
Theodore Bikel and Nell Carter. Both
perform on a new recording, To Life!

Chanukah and Other Jewish
Celebrations. Bikel can be heard on the
"Chanukah, Oh Chanukah" track,
and Carter performs "Maoz
Tzur/Rock of Ages."
The collection, released by Rhino
Records in October, brings in other stars
on songs for Rosh Hashanah, Passover
and Simchat Torah. Alex Schub vocal-
izes "Hop Mayne Homentashen" for
Purim. For other joyous celebrations
throughout the year, Mandy Patinkin
sings "Rabbi Elimeylekh," the Weavers
lift spirits with "Tzena, Tzena, Tzena'
and The Barry Sisters harmonize on
"Hava Nagila" and "In Meina Oigen

12/4
1998

Shalom,"
sauce.
"Yism'chu" and
— Suzanne Chessler
"Lo Yisah
Goy." The
medley for
To Life! Chanukah and Other
Shabbat is one that Rabbi Levy plans
Jewish Celebrations, at suggested
for family concerts.
prices of $16.98 for the CD and
Levy, who also has worked with the
$10.98 for the cassette, is avail-
Beach Boys, Buck Owens and the
able through RhinoDirect at
Chipmunks, conducts services for
(800) 432-0020.
Temple Shalom for the Arts, a
California congregation of Jewish
—simasamsfeenswgzolowimmu55256
entertainers, including Claire Bloom
and Hal Linden. The congregation
Parents' Choice
meets once a month for Friday night
services and on the High Holidays.
Entertainer Paul Zim has released
The rabbi regularly leads services at
albums of every conceivable kind for
other synagogues, choosing his pulpits
the Jewish music audience. And now,
to allow time to satisfy his entertain-
he's come out with another CD just
ment interest.
for the preschool set.
"Music has always been an integral
It's Jewish Holiday Time (Kids'
part of Jewish life," says the rabbi, a
Tunes), geared for children ages 2-7, is
self-taught musician who put himself
a veritable joyride through the full
through law and rabbinic school with
spectrum of Jewish holidays. Zim
his performances. "More than 2,000
sings each song accompanied by a live-
years ago, the Temple in Jerusalem fea-
ly band and children's chorus. Each
tured a full orchestra and choir.
holiday is introduced with a brief nar-

Paul Zim:
The Jewish
Music Man.

ration and dialogue.

It's Jewish Holiday Time includes
both traditional and contemporary
songs in English and Hebrew, and par-
ents can encourage a sing-along using
lyrics printed with the liner notes.
For those who like to get up and
dance, the 27 tracks include "The
Maccabee March" for Chanukah,
"The Lulav Shake" (similar to the
"Hokey Pokey") for Sukkot and "H-
O-N-E-Y" for Rosh Hashanah.
Zim recently received a Parents'
Choice Recommended Award for this
recording.

Its Jewish Holiday Time, with
a suggested price of $14.99 for
the CD and $9.99 for the cas-
sette, is available at some local
Judaica stores and at Borders
Books and Music.

Simply Sandor

Metro area Detroiters know Sandor
Slomovits as part of the popular per-
forming and recording children's
music duo Gemini. For more than 20
years, he has appeared in family con-
certs across the country, garnering
numerous awards and accolades with
his twin brother, Laszlo. Now, in a