piyut

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An undated photo of Ukrainian Hasidim playing classical instruments. (photo: Wikicommons)

Hasidic music: Pushing the boundaries of the Israeli comfort zone

Why don’t most of Israelis know this music that has been passed down from generation to generation? How open are we to a culture that seems so far away from us, despite the fact that it is just across the street? By Merav Livneh-Dill He dances like Madonna, dresses like Lady Gaga and has more glasses than…

By Cafe Gibraltar June 14, 2013

Rabbi Haim Louk, originally from Casablanca, who studied under the great Moroccan singer Abdessadek Chkara. The fourth Festival des Andalousies Atlantiques was dedicated to the memory of Chkara. Louk recently resided in Los Angeles, and presently lives in Ashdod, Israel. November 3. (tsweden/CC BY-NC 2.0)

Between Ashkenazim and Sephardim: A guide to Passover piyutim

Jewish liturgical poetry dates back to the Bible and the rabbinical sages that came after. In honor of Passover, Café Gibraltar presents a primer to traditional Jewish religious singing for the holiday and the Jewish month of Nisan. By Patia Hana The holiday of Passover summons a plethora of piyutim (Jewish liturgical poetry usually sung, chanted…

By Cafe Gibraltar April 1, 2013