Music and Lyrics

Music and Lyrics at TBY

by Randi Brill Zieserl, Am Shalom Board Member and trip participant

Friday, December 26, 2014

Tonight we went to Shabbat services at Tiffilat Beit Yisrael, and saw some of the same incredible people who came to Am Shalom this past year. It was so very different to be there, and yet it was the same. We sat in the back, but soon were dancing all over that room. This was yet another amazing experience of so many on this trip.

We fumbled through the transliterated supplement trying to find our place. We certainly didn’t have the melodies to guide us. In fact, the melodies were all too familiar, but not for the reasons one might think. These were popular melodies, from The Sound of Music and The Beatles, modern tunes with, shall we say, highly classic lyrics like the words of L’Cha Dodi. It took me more than a minute to grapple with the incongruity. Really? The Von Trapp Family in synagogue? I quickly realized these lyrics are indeed among a few of my very favorites and it worked beautifully. Why not Let It Be?

Late into the night, raindrops were on roses as I tossed and turned. I could not shake the tunes. Finally I grabbed a pen and a small hotel tablet to capture the phrases in my head. New lyrics about this trip set to two familiar tunes, Raindrops on Roses (My Favorite Things) and Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof. I include them here in case you find yourself in need of a shower tune or two.

Our Favorite Things (about Israel)

To the tune of My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music

We went to Israel, and it was amazing.

Walking and learning, and laughing and grazing.

We saw this country from bottom to top.

But we cannot choose our favorite stop.

In the Old City, we went to The Wall.

Just scratched the surface, could not see it all.

Then to Masada, so fit for a king.

Though climbing down it was not Randi’s thing.

How the time flew!

Now it’s over, here in Tel Aviv.

Koren and Shiri and Phyllis and Steve—

Built a trip you would not believe!

Israel is Great

To the tune of Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof

(Verse 1)

Is this the Israel we imagined?

Frankly we didn’t have a clue.

This country makes us feel so proud to

Be a Jew.

Building this land to build each other,

Knowing our people have a place, 

That we can feel free to discover,

Face to face—

(Reprise)

Israel is great

Although it’s small,

It has amazing might.

Each of us helps this country flourish

Though it must grapple with it fight.

(Verse 2)

Four thousand years is feeling recent.

We have endured, we have survived.

And if we really will admit it,

We have thrived.

We loved this trip.

We will be back. 

On that you may depend.

We have just barely gotten started.

Though this great trip now has to end. 

(Reprise)

Israel is great

Although it’s small,

It has amazing might.

Next year and forward we will be here,

Helping to keep its light so bright.