It is that time of year again… Rabbi Goldsmith’s updated YouTube playlist of Chanukah Songs That Are Not Terrible!
In 1994 on Saturday Night Live, Adam Sandler wisely observed that there is lots of great Christmas music but the (non-liturgical) Chanukah music library was somewhat lacking. Kicked off with his (in)famous Chanukah Song, there has been something of a revolution of Chanukah music. Each year brings both fun a cappella parodies and some excellent originals. Notable this year is an inspirational original song by the Maccabeats called We’re Still Here with uplifting music and images from Israel. And, from Six13 and newcomer Y-Studs, are some new parodies that re-affirm that this is Taylor Swift’s world and we’re just living in it.
Especially in these dark times, it is incumbent on us to recognize the miraculous things that shed light all around us – and even better if we can sing a bit, too. Wishing everyone a very Happy Chanukah!
