The candles are lit and the blessings are said. Beyond the gift frenzy, what else? Here are eight songs to keep the light shining bright each night of Hanukkah.
Matisyahu’s classic “Miracle” always hits the spot—deep in meaning and heavy on the hip-hop beat.
Erran Baron Cohen, brother of the hilarious Sacha, has a Hanukkah album I just love. Check out “Dreidel” for his jazzier take on hip hop, which features Jewish rapper great Y Love.
My family loves all things Jack Black, so his version of “Oh Hanukkah” is a must (we call it “Mario Princess Peach Hanukkah”!)
“Ocho kandelikas,” Ladino for “eight candles,” is the most iconic Sephardic Hanukkah classic. Sung by Idina Menzel, this version is beautiful and upbeat (and my kids love that it’s in “Elsa’s voice!”).
“Light One Candle” is a 1980s Peter, Paul and Mary classic that is rooted in the search for justice, and makes for a fun singalong.
Carole King is a queen, and her version of the Hanukkah blessings is the royal treatment.
“Puppy for Hanukkah”—who doesn’t love former Disney-star-turned-“Hamilton” star Daveed Diggs? This silly Hanukkah ditty has become a classic in many homes for a reason; it’s silly fun for all.
Woody Guthrie wasn’t Jewish, but his beloved Hanukkah album was a tribute to his Jewish mother-in-law, Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt. His song “Happy Joyous Hanukkah” has been covered by many, including the Indigo Girls and the Klezmatics.
Shamash bonus! I asked Roy Jaffe, the new director of cultural affairs at the consulate general of Israel to New England, for a song that represents Hanukkah for him. He said, “’Anu nosaim Lapidim’—I love this most classic song. In elementary school we always had a Hanukkah parade, and we’d all walk with torches and sing this.” With that, I give you Israeli elementary school Hanukkah!
As we are commanded to increase the light on Hanukkah, I hope these lively songs increase the light and joy of your Hanukkah season.
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