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Playlist: Hanukkah Music and Spoken Word

Compiled By: PRX Editors

 Credit:
Curated Playlist

Hanukkah is celebrated December 7 - 15, 2023.

Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel... Check out our Holiday Music Specials and Christmas Editors' Picks as well. For more pieces about Jewish history and culture, take a look at our Jewish History Editors' Picks.


Below are picks chosen by PRX editorial staff. You can find other options for Hannukah by using our search.

New in 2023

Chanukah Memories and Melodies

From WQXR | 58:00

In this special from WQXR, six prominent artists share memories of Chanukah, and the music the holiday brings to mind. From soothing to surprising, from reverent to rowdy, their musical choices will inspire and delight you.

With Broadway actress Tovah Feldshuh, social entrepreneur Aaron Dworkin, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, Sephardic music virtuoso Daphna Mor, conductor Eric Jacobsen, and Yiddish music maven Henry Sapoznik.

Hosted by WQXR's Elliott Forrest.

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Program playlist:

Chanukah, oh Chanukah
Traditional
Daphna Mor, recorder 

Candle Blessings
From “Hanukkah Cantata”
Music by David Ludwig
Choral Arts Philadelphia
Matthew Glandorf, conductor

Al Hanisim
Traditional
Jan Peerce, tenor
Gershon Kingsley, conductor

Shalom, Santa
Music by Douglas J. Cohen
Lyrics by Tom Toce, Additional material by Judy Gold
Sung by Tovah Feldshuh
Scott Cady, piano 

Hanukkah Dance
Written and performed by Woody Guthrie 

Tenebrae
By Osvaldo Golijov

Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, B. 166, “Dumky,” Third movement (Andante)
By Antonín Dvořák

Weilerstein Trio
Donald Weilerstein, violin
Alisa Weilerstein, cello
Vivian Hornik Weilerstein, piano 

Break Music:
Chanike Oy Chanike
Sruli and Lisa

Ner Li
Music by Daniel Samburski
Words by Levin Kipnis
Sung by Daphna Mor and by Pizmon, the co-ed pluralistic Jewish a cappella group of Columbia University, Barnard College, and the Jewish Theological Seminary

Mi Yimalel
By Menashe Ravina
Arranged by Marc Lavry
Kol Zion Lagola Choir

Hazeremos una merenda 
Kita’l tas
Traditional
Arranged by Nell Snaidas
Daphna Mor, recorder
Adam Good, oud
Rex Benincasa, percussion
Singers:
Tracy Cowart
Ilana Davidson
Michele Kennedy
Daphna Mor
Sian Ricketts
Nell Snaidas
Kirsten Sollek
From a live performance at New York Public Radio, December 3, 2018

Piano Trio no. 2, Op. 66 in C minor, Second movement (Andante espressivo)
By Felix Mendelssohn
Colin Jacobsen, violin
Eric Jacobsen, cello
Ieva Jokūbavičiūtė, piano
From NPR’s Performance Today, November 19, 2005

Haneros Haluli
Traditional, arranged by Colin Jacobsen
The Knights orchestra
Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Colin Jacobsen, violin soloist 

Haneros Haluli
Traditional
H. Steiner, violin
Cimbalom player unidentified 

Dance of the Dreydls
Based on Dance of the Reed Flutes from The Nutcracker, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Arranged by Michael Mclaughlin
Performed by Shirim
Glenn Dickson, clarinet
Gary Bohan, trumpet
Dan Fox, trombone
Jim Gray, tuba
Michael Mclaughlin, accordion
Eric Rosenthal, drums

Ikh bin a kleyner dreydl
Yiddish version by Mikhl Gelbart
Sung by Henry Sapoznik

B’rikh Sh’meh
Prayer when opening the ark before reading the Torah
Sung by Zindel Sapoznik
Pianist unidentified
Recorded in a Displaced Persons camp in Linz, Austria, 1947 

(I’m Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica
Written and performed by Tom Lehrer

Maoz Tsur
From “To Celebrate a Miracle”
Arranged by Samuel Adler
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony
Rodney Winther, Conductor


Hour (49:00-1:00:00)

Chanukkah In Story & Song

From William Zukof | Part of the The Western Wind Judaica Series series | 57:48

Chanukkah In Story and Song

Sung by the The Western Wind
Narrated by Leonard Nimoy

The acclaimed vocal sextet and the renowned actor present 25 eclectic selections, from the Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes and their original version of “I Have a Little Dreydle.” The singers sing a cappella and are also joined by instruments including violin, accordion, bass and guitar. The narration written by Rabbi Gerald Skolnik sheds light on the holiday customs and rituals.

Western_wind_grpheadshot_small Chanukkah In Story and Song Sung by the The Western Wind Narrated by Leonard Nimoy The acclaimed vocal sextet and the renowned actor present 25 eclectic selections, from the Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes and their original version of “I Have a Little Dreydle.” The singers sing a cappella and are also joined by instruments including violin, accordion, bass and guitar. The narration written by Rabbi Gerald Skolnik sheds light on the holiday customs and rituals.

Holiday Special

From The Children's Hour Inc. | Part of the The Children's Hour series | 58:00

The Children's Hour plays holiday favorites including the kids' favorite story

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This week on The Children’s Hour, winter break is here and we’re celebrating with a holiday special. We’ll play some of our favorites Christmas and Hanukkah songs. Hear our favorite holiday story, and dance along with us. We’ve got your family friendly soundtrack for the holiday season.

Welcome Hunukkah

From Mississippi Public Broadcasting | Part of the Sounds Jewish series | 59:00

Sounds Jewish welcomes Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, with songs from around the Jewish world.

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Sounds Jewish welcomes Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, with songs from around the Jewish world.

Itzhak Perlman’s Chanukah Radio Party

From WQXR | 59:00

Itzhak Perlman invites you to his Chanukah Radio Party. Join the superstar violinist as he tells the story of the Jewish festival of lights, and shares his favorite recordings for the holiday – some serious, some silly. This engaging one-hour special includes numbers from Itzhak Perlman’s radio-addicted childhood in Israel; evocative songs in Yiddish and Ladino; classical music that revolves around the Maccabee heroes of the story; and Chanukah gems by American folk singers. The master storyteller also regales you with jokes and memories, plus tales of three classic Chanukah symbols: the menorah, the latke, and, of course, the dreidel. A good time for the whole family, at Itzhak Perlman’s Chanukah Radio Party!

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Part 1

Maoz Tsur (Rock of Ages)

Traditional

Kristen Gygi, flute

 

Hava Narimah (Let’s Raise the Banner and Torch)

Music by George Frideric Handel, words by Levin Kipnis

Cindy Paley, singer

Chanukah: A Singing Celebration

 

See the Conquering Hero Comes

from “Judas Maccabaeus” by George Frideric Handel

The King’s Consort, Choir of New College, Oxford

Robert King, conductor

Handel: Judas Maccabaeus

Hyperion CDQ66641/2

 

Sound an Alarm

from “Judas Maccabaeus” by George Frideric Handel

Richard Tucker, tenor

 

Chanukiah Li-Yesh (I Have a Chanukiah)

Hannah Aharoni, singer

Hed Arzi 787 LP

 

Chanukah Blessings

Ilene Safyan, singer           

Just in Time for Chanukah           

 

Avi Hidlik (My Father Lit the Candles)

Geula Gill with Dov Seltzer and Group

Holiday Songs of Israel

Rounder 8017

 

Variations on a theme from Handel’s oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus”

Theme + Variations 1, 2, 3

By Ludwig van Beethoven, WoO 45

Mischa Maisky, cello and Martha Argerich, piano

Beethoven: Cello Sonatas

DGG 453 748-2

 

The Latke Song

Written and performed by Debbie Friedman

Debbie Friedman – Live At The Del

Sounds Write Productions

 

Levivot (Pancakes)

Geula Gill with Dov Seltzer and Group

Holiday Songs of Israel

Rounder 8017

 

Hazeremos Una Merenda (Let’s Make a Meal)

Phillis Elaine Clark and Cheryl Bensman Rowe, singers

The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble

The Chanukkah Story

Western Wind Records 1818CD

 

Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles)

Written and performed by Flory Jagoda

Kantikas Di Mi Nona

Altaras Recordings 837101132114

 

I Have a Little Dreydle

By Michael Gelbart

Theme played on recorder

The Chanukkah Story

Western Wind Records 1818CD

 

Break music

 

Variations on a theme from Handel’s oratorio “Judas Maccabeus”

Variations 10, 11 (partial)

By Ludwig van Beethoven, WoO 45

Mischa Maisky, cello and Martha Argerich, piano

Beethoven: Cello Sonatas

DGG 453 748-2

 

Part 2

 

Al Hanisim (For the Miracles) from “Hanukkah Cantata”

By David Ludwig

Tune by Dov Frimer

Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia

Matthew Glandorf, conductor

Choral Music of David Ludwig

 

Al Hanisim (For the Miracles)

Music by Dov Frimer, arranged by Hankus Netsky

Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, singer

Itzhak Perlman, violin

Hankus Netsky, piano

Recorded live at the National Menorah Lighting, 2010

Courtesy of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad)

 

Mi Yimalel (Who Can Retell)

Traditional

Kol Yisrael Choir

 

Chanukah, Oh, Chanukah from “To Celebrate a Miracle”

by Samuel Adler

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony

Rodney Winther, conductor

A Hanukka Celebration

Milken Archive of American Jewish Music, Naxos 8.559410

 

Chanukah, Oh, Chanukah

Pete Seeger, singer and banjo

With Voices Together We Sing

Folkways FW02452 / FA 2452

 

O Ir Kleyne Likhtelekh (O You Little Lights)

Music by Zavel Zilberts, words by Morris Rosenfeld; arranged by Hankus Netsky

Judy Bressler, singer

Hankus Netsky, piano

Oy Chanukah!

Rounder

 

Nerot Chanukah (Chanukah Lights)

Hannah Aharoni, singer

 

Or (Light)

By Naomi Shemer

Shoshana Damari, singer

Or

Hed Artzi 15329

 

Light One Candle

Written and performed by Peter Yarrow

Celebrate Hanukkah

Sweet Louise Music           

 

Hanuka

Music by Judy Frankel, text by Lina Kohen Albukrek

Judy Frankel, singer

Celebrate Hanukkah

Sweet Louise Music           

 

Svivon (Spinning)

Hannah Aharoni

 

I Had a Little Dreidel

By Michael Gelbart

Rachel Buchman, singer, with children

Shine Little Candles: Chanukah Songs for Children

Concord Music Group

 

I Have a Little Dreydel

By Michael Gelbart, arranged by Matthew Lazar

Mat Zaitchick, soloist

Zamir Chorale of Boston

Joshua Jacobson, conductor

Lights: Music for Chanukah

 

Drei dreidele (Spin the Dreidel)

Moishe Oysher, singer

Moishe Oysher: Passover Seder, Kol Nidre & Chanukah Party

Leisure Time Music LTM-158CD

 

Maoz Tsur (Rock of Ages)

Traditional

Kol Yisrael Choir

 

Credits music:

Mi Yimalel from “To Celebrate A Miracle”

by Samuel Adler

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony

Rodney Winther, conductor

A Hanukka Celebration

Milken Archive of American Jewish Music, Naxos 8.559410

Hanukkah: A Great Miracle Happened There

From RadioArt(r) | 58:10

A conversation between Rabbi Ismar Schorsch and Host Larry Josephson about the history, rituals and meaning of Hanukkah--and its importance in our time. (Revised 2013)

Screen_shot_2013-11-12_at_3 "A Great Miracle Happened There: A Hanukkah Special," is a conversation between Rabbi Ismar Schorsch and Host Larry Josephson about the history, rituals and meaning of Hanukkah--and its importance in our time. Cantors David Lefkowitz and Elisheva Dienstfrey sing the music of Hanukkah. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch explains that Hanukkah is really about a Jewish civil war, a war between assimilated, Hellenized Jews and a pious band of zealots, the Maccabees. The well-known "miracle of the oil," occurs at the end of the story--after the Temple has been retaken by the Maccabees, and rededicated and cleansed. Rabbi Schorsch also talks about Hanukkah as "the Jewish Christmas." Dr. Ismar Schorsch is Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Larry Josephson is a veteran public radio host and interviewer, whose programs have been heard in New York, and nationwide for over 35 years. Glorious music of Hanukkah is sung by Cantor David Lefkowitz of The Park Avenue Synagogue in New York, and by Cantor Elisheva Dienstfrey, now of Congregation Agudas Achim in Alexandria, Virginia. Both are graduates of the Seminary. Additional music from "Voice of the Turtle" and the Zamir Chorale of Boston.
Revised, 2014. 

Two Holidays and a Blizzard

From Playing on Air | Part of the Playing on Air Hour Length Episodes series | 53:00

'The Blizzard', a mystery thriller by David Ives, features Jesse Eisenberg as a snowed-in screenwriter facing unexpected guests. Ryan brings his new girlfriend home to celebrate the holiday in 'The Miracle of Chanukah.' And in our third short play, 'Christmas Breaks', a girl and a guy exchange some unexpected Christmas gifts. Lively group interviews follow each.

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Three short plays. The Blizzard, a chilly thriller, features Jesse Eisenberg as a snowed-in screenwriter facing unexpected guests. In The Miracle of Chanukah, a holiday guest’s personal miracle throws a family for a loop. In Christmas Breaks, a young man surprises his girlfriend with some curve ball gifts. The Blizzard is written by David Ives (Venus in Fur), directed by John Rando (Tony) with Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Alfredo Narciso, Heidi Schreck and Sarah Sokolovic ("Homeland"). Miracle of Chanukah is by Sheri Wilner and features Zach Appelman, Peter Friedman, Judy Gold (Emmy), Marcia Jean Kurtz, Lisa Joyce. Christmas Breaks is by Patrick Gabridge and features Zach Appelman, Steven Boyer (Hand to God, "The Trail"), and Halley Feiffer ("Bored to Death").  Interview with David Ives, John Rando and The Blizzard cast; Sheri Wilner and The Miracle of Chanukah cast and the cast of Christmas Breaks.

The Kabbalah of Chanukah

From Russ Jennings | Part of the Days of Wonder series | 55:54

Mystical tales & teachings & Jewish sacred music from around the world.

Menorahlit_small The Kabbalah of Chanukah: An Inspirational Program for the Festival of Lights A jazz-virtuoso cantor and a kabbalistic psychotherapist bring their respective talents together, to provide new inspiration for Chanukah! Weaving a tapestry of tales and teachings from the Kabbalah together with sacred music from around the world, this dynamic duo reveals some of the hidden treasures of this ancient spiritual tradition. This program is being offered for Chanukah programming in 2006. (Chanukah is from after nightfall on 12/15, ending at nightfall of 12/23.)

Yiddish Radio Project Holiday Special, Hour One

From Sound Portraits | 58:59

Two self-contained hours of special programming based on the acclaimed ten-part ATC series, with a Web site filled with photos, features, background, and sound at YiddishRadioProject.org. View Hour Two here.

Benkatchorimage150_small Two self-contained hours of special programming based on the acclaimed ten-part ATC series, with a Web site filled with photos, features, background, and sound at YiddishRadioProject.org

Portraits of Faith

From Aaron Henkin | 49:27

Nine people of nine different faiths and philosophies attempt to answer a deceptively simple question: What does it mean to you to believe?

Prayer1_small This is a one-hour, talk-clock-formatted documentary special that might make a nice addition to your program schedule if you're looking for some holiday programming or just wanting something contemplative to put on your airwaves. Here in Baltimore, my friend Jason and I set out on a simple mission: We criss-crossed our city and met with nine people of nine different faiths. We asked them each a set of identical questions about what it means for them to 'believe.' We talked with an Orthodox Muslim, a Buddhist monk, a Christian minister, a Jewish cantor, an atheist, a Quaker, a United Methodist / Episcopalian, a Catholic, and a Keetowah Cherokee. They all spoke eloquently about how their beliefs give them strength and comfort, and also about how those beliefs can sometimes give way to doubt when tested. We ended up with nearly nine hours of audio, and when we finally whittled it down and cut it together into this radio special, we realized there's a pretty incredible amount of common ground beneath the religious differences that often seem to divide us. If you're interested in licensing this special, I'd be happy to custom-tailor a promo for you and help you out with whatever else you might need. Just click the 'contact me' button and send me an email.

An Open Gate

From Claire Schoen | Part of the ILLUMINATIONS: Jewish Culture in the Light of the World series | 59:01

What happens to the children when Jews and Christians marry? An Open Gate looks at this question with humor and sensitivity. Jews and Christians speak about growing up within their faith and how intermarriage has redefined their perspective. Interfaith couples grapple with the challenge of celebrating holidays as a family as they attempt to instill a sense of religion, community and holiday spirit. This program also digs deep into the historical underpinnings of these two religions, exploring Jewish fears of Christian anti-Semitism and Christian desires to share Jesus' love with people they care about.

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"An Open Gate" is an hour-long audio documentary exploring the repercussions of a Jewish/Christian intermarriage on faith, identity and the family.

Claire Schoen and Helen Stolzfus - CoProducers.
A Traveling Jewish Theatre - Executive Producer

What happens to the children when Jews and Christians marry? "An Open Gate" explores this question with humor and sensitivity. Jews and Christians speak about growing up within their faith and how intermarriage has redefined their perspective. Interfaith couples grapple with the challenge of celebrating holidays as a family as they attempt to instill a sense of religion, community and holiday spirit. This program also digs deep into the historical underpinnings of these two religions, exploring Jewish fears of Christian anti-Semitism and Christian desires to share Jesus' love with people they care about. As couples in this program struggle with these questions, they shed light on the broader issues we all face in trying to preserve our own culture while becoming part of the global village. (Each of the 3 shows in this series can be broadcast as stand-alone programs.)

Happy ChallaDAY!

From Camino Real Productions, LLC | 53:39

Happy ChallaDAY! An original musical comedy for Hanukkah. Book, music and lyrics by Charles Moster.

Hanukkah-300-dpi_small Inspired by the rather odd fact that the most famous Christmas song ever written, “White Christmas,” was composed by Irving Berlin, a Jew, Charles Moster has composed this light-hearted spoof parodying the old Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye movie “White Christmas.”   General Waverlystein, retires from the Israeli army and opens a B&B on the Red Sea.  Two of his old army entertainment corps buddies, now big stars known as the Sinai Schlamazels, join forces with the Schwartz Sisters to save his business by putting on a big holiday show.   


Segments (9:00-23:59)

La Nona Kanta ("The Grandmother Sings")

From Julie Subrin | 14:22

Profile of Flory Jagoda, an 83-year-old Sephardic folk singer from Sarajevo.

Default-piece-image-0 Flory Jagoda grew up in a family of singers. Her childhood, in a mountain village outside of Sarajevo, was filled with songs, sung in Ladino - the language passed down by Jews expelled from Spain during the Inquisition - that told of the loves, lives and rituals of her community. With the horror of World War II, all that changed. She and her parents were the only survivors of the 42-member Altaras family. Since then, Jagoda, winner of a 2002 NEA National Heritage fellowship, has dedicated her professional life to composing, performing and teaching songs that preserve her memories of that lost life. Her songs, sung in Ladino, echo the Spanish and Bosnian melodies and rhythms of her past. This piece combines Jagoda's stories - told unflinchingly, and with humor and warmth - with music from her 4 recorded CDs. "La Nona Kanta" could air anytime, but might be especially appropriate during Hanukkah, as Jagoda is perhaps best known for what has now become something of a Hanukkah standard, her original composition, "Ocho Kandelikas." This piece was recorded and produced in 2007.

Schnartzenholler

From Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | Part of the CBC Radio's Outfront series | 13:20

It's not Christmas. It's not Hanukkah. It's Schnartzenholler! When Emily Pearlman was a child her Jewish father and Christian mother created their own unique holiday celebration.

Prxoutfrontplain_small Schnartzenholler It's not Christmas. It's not Hannukah. It's Schnartzenholler! When Emily Pearlman was a child her Jewish father and Christian mother created their own unique holiday celebration to bridge the gap and give the family something to celebrate together. As Emily and her brother grew up Schnartzenholler lost its appeal. Now, as adults, can the family revive and reinvent it? by Emily Pearlman Producer: Steve Wadhams Outfront Opening and Closing Theme available - (see Timing and Cues section for more details) SEE ADDITIONAL LICENSE TERMS


Cutaways (5:00-8:59)

Chanukah with Byron

From Terin Mayer | 08:54

Celebrating Chanukah in a dingy dorm lounge with an unlikely companion.

Default-piece-image-0 Emma Cohen finds herself working on campus during the winter holidays, living in a dingy little room in your quintessential college dorm. For a practicing, but non-beliving Jew, Chanukah is a particularly important holiday for Emma. Its about tradition and ritual. But this winter, she doesn't go home. Instead, and by complete coincidence, she spends the festival of lights with Byron White. He's a big personality on campus, the kind of guy who's friends with everybody, but that nobody really knows. This is the story of their dorm-lounge Chanukah, and how they got to know each other. Every night, after the candles were lit, there was nothing to do but talk.

Like Hanukah Oil, Endangered Ladino Language Endures Among Jews

From Rhonda J. Miller | Part of the Ladino: The Endangered Language of the Spanish Jews series | 04:56

As Jews around the world prepare to celebrate Hanukah, some in Boston are singing in Ladino, a language UNESCO rates as "severely endangered" in its 2009 Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. Ladino has been traveling with the Jews since they were expelled from Spain in 1492.

Gloria_ascher_ladino_class_tufts_univ The endangered Ladino language, also called Judeo-Spanish, is a language without a country. Ladino has been traveling with the Jews since they were expelled from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492. It has been kept alive in pockets of culture around the world, including Israel and Turkey, and some places in the U.S., such as New York, Florida and Seattle, Washington.

Some universities in Israel have established programs on Sephardic culture and the Ladino language, but in the United States, the longest-running - and many say the only consistent - Ladino instruction at a university is by Professor Gloria Ascher at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, near Boston. Ascher is Co-Chair of the Judaic Studies program at Tufts and initiated Ladino classes 10 years ago. Some students, professors and people from the community have studied up to four semesters of Ladino.

Besides Ascher, others find Ladino calling to them. Vocalist Julia Madeson has performed many styles of music, and now performs Ladino with area musicians, some of them students at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she is Coordinator of the Guitar Department. 

As Hanukah approachs and Jews prepare to commemorate the miracle of oil supposed to burn for one day -but lasting eight days - the singing of Ladino songs is also a reminder of the endurance of Jewish culture, despite the Jews' often forced scattering around the globe.  
 
 


Drop-Ins (2:00-4:59)

Ladino Hanukah Songs Shed Light on Endangered Language of Jews

From Rhonda J. Miller | Part of the Ladino: The Endangered Language of the Spanish Jews series | 04:24

As the candles of Hanukkah connect Jews around the world, holiday songs in Ladino shine a light on a language UNESCO rates as “severely endangered.” An increasing number of musicians in many countries are singing in this Judeo-Spanish language, which means it is no longer just your grandmother's Ladino.

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As the candles of Hanukah connect Jews around the world, holiday songs in Ladino shine a light on a language UNESCO rates as “severely endangered.”
 
A growing number of musicians are discovering Ladino, also called Judeo-Spanish, a language in danger of dying, along with its elderly speakers. With musicians in the United States, Latin America and Israel singing, and even writing, songs in this Judeo-Spanish language, it is no longer just your grandmother’s Ladino.  
Ladino has become part of the soundscape of the Jewish musical revival and a recognized element of world music.

The Stories of Hanukkah

From Eric Molinsky | 04:58

Hanukkah can be seen as a holiday about assimilation.

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Hanukkah has become the pinnacle of assimilation for American Jews. Dreidels and Menorahs hang in holiday displays alongside Christmas trees and wreaths. But the real history of Hanukkah is sometimes forgotten. The ancient war that Hanukkah celebrates was very much a civil war between religious and secular Jews. A former Orthodox Jew explains (while cooking latkes) how this 2,000 year old struggle over assimilation has affected her life.