[HANASHIR:12444] Re: [ Lyrics to 8 Days of Chanukah

[Karen Gall <klg8...>]

I have been reading with interest the discussion on whether or not "Rise and 
Shine" might be appropriate to sing in a Jewish context.  I agree that it is 
an appropriate song - I remember singing it with glee at the Jewish camps I 
attended and I thought of it  simply as a musical rendition of the story of 
Noah and the flood.  That made it a Jewish song for me.

But the discussion of the suggested lyrics for "The first day of Chanukah my 
true love (bubby) (dodi) gave to me...." did make me uncomfortable.

I do enjoy a good parody - and I did use some of them to lighten up our 
second seder last year.  But I always avoid parodies that use familiar 
melodies that have a direct connection with the Christian tradition.  It is 
hard enough at Chanukah/Christmas time to keep from blurring the traditions. 
  I would not use a parody with a Christmas carol melody, particularly with 
kids, no matter how clever the lyrics (and they were).  To me it says - 
"See, our holidays ARE the same - we even have the same songs.  We just 
adjust the words.".

We all work so hard to instill in our children the beauty of our traditions 
and the uniqueness of our holidays.

I'm not being a total party pooper here.  I could see such a parody going 
over very well, perhaps at an adult concert situation, as a contrasting 
piece to change the mood.

I know that the song would probably be enjoyed by all listeners, and because 
the song  would be learned so easily, people would join in very quickly. But 
I would avoid using it or any other Christmas carol melody/parody in a 
congregational or religious school setting. I have been reading with 
interest the discussion on whether or not "Rise and Shine" might be 
appropriate to sing in a Jewish context.  I agree that it is an appropriate 
song - I remember singing it with glee at the Jewish camps I attended and I 
thought of it  simply as a musical rendition of the story of Noah and the 
flood.  It wasn't until years later that I learned that it was not strictly 
a Jewish song.

But the discussion of the suggested lyrics for "The first day of Chanukah my 
true love (bubby) (dodi) gave to me...." did make me uncomfortable.

I do enjoy a good parody - and I did use some of them to lighten up our 
second seder last year.  But I always avoid parodies that use familiar 
melodies that have a direct connection with the Christian tradition.  It is 
hard enough at Chanukah/Christmas time to keep from blurring the traditions. 
  I would not use a parody with a Christmas carol melody, particularly with 
kids, no matter how clever the lyrics (and they were).  To me it says - 
"See, our holidays ARE the same - we even have the same songs.  We just 
adjust the words.".

We all work so hard to instill in our children the beauty of our traditions 
and the uniqueness of our holidays.

I'm not being a total party pooper here.  I could see such a parody going 
over very well, perhaps at an adult concert situation, as contrasting piece 
to change the mood.

I know that the song would probably be enjoyed by the listeners, and because 
the song  would be learned so easily, people would join in very quickly. But 
I would avoid using it or any other Christmas carol melody/parody in a 
congregational or religious school setting.


Karen Gall
St. Albert, Alberta Canada
(Where the leaves are gold and brown and are quickly falling from the 
trees.)
Temple Beth Ora
Edmonton, Alberta

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