MY+TURN

=**MY TURN**= toc
 * Each Israeli citizen is part of a many-faceted mosaic that makes up our diverse society. Below are introductions to poems and songs found on the internet by Neve Chana students. Please read them, and visit the links that we have found representative of our image of the face of Israel.**

(Please post under your name.)

Chanita
"We Are The World" i don't know how much this song represents the face of israel but in my opinion this represant the idea of the face of israel, i mean it talks about working together to make a better place, and i think that what this is what the country should run on working together as one, because once a nation has 'achdute' i believe nothing can stand in the way.
 * http://www.lyrics007.com/Michael%20Jackson%20Lyrics/We%20Are%20the%20World%20Lyrics.html**

R'nana
This song is about girls and boys who take a year off after high school before college and come to Israel. I think this shows the specialty of Israel. Who would take off a year to go to any other place before they have a degree in something? It also shows the Friendliness of Israelis and how welcoming they are. All these 18 year olds come and speak their language and travel all over Israel. It is also fun to see their culture and everything they bring to Israel. This shows how Israel is the place that brings all Jews together. http://www.pirsumeinisa.com/bluefringe_awakening.html
 * [|Flippin' out]**

Voices for Israel [|Chazak Ameinu-We stand as one] This is an uplifting and hopeful song for the future of Israel and its people. Although there is sometimes a lot of suffering in Israel, we were able to stay strong all through the ages by standing together and bravely fighting for what we believe in. Only once we are strong and united can we bring peace to Israel. G-d willing we will bring peace to Israel soon. Video Directed by Stephen Goldstein Produced by Jordan B. Gorfinkel Music and Vocals Directed by Yehuda.

Hodaya
I found the poem at http://www.shiron.net/homepage.aspx?homep=1 but here are the lyrics and my own translation: We're All Jews/ by Haim Hefer
 * When G-d scattered us ||
 * Amongst the sons of Ishmael Eisav (Esau) ||
 * He gave them all the Sabbath and the holidays ||
 * But they all ended up with different customs. ||
 * That's the way life is like a market ||
 * This is a flying carpet, this is a Genie from a bottle ||
 * Here we shop for enemies and sell friends ||
 * But the money here stays in Jewish hands. ||
 * Blue balloons for great and small ||
 * A juicy carrot- it's good for the eyes ||
 * Meat slices, kashkavel- I have the best ||
 * Vegetables vegetables, antiques, antiques ||
 * Refrain: We are all nice Jews one hundred percent ||
 * The "shvartza" (the black) and the "vuz-vuz" (ultra orthodox) ||
 * We all have the same father ,from Romania, Algeria or Kfar Saba ||
 * Even if we have troubles and tribulations ||
 * We all talk the same language ||
 * And all of Israel are friends ||
 * Step up sir, check the quality ||
 * Strong as iron, will never wear ||
 * If not good, get your money back ||
 * Or pray Shma Yisrael (Here Oh Israel…) ||
 * You’re a nut, you’re a scoundrel ||
 * A thief, you are low ||
 * You’re a Chazir (pig) you're fat ||
 * Your despicable ||
 * What kind of Jew is this? Refrain ( we are all Jews) ||
 * Sir, look at this pitcher ||
 * It's really special ||
 * A Baghdad caliph ||
 * Drank from it just a week ago. ||
 * You're a donkey (an ass), You're a fool ||
 * You're a cheat, your despicable ||
 * You're a swindler, You are low ||
 * You're a chazir (pig) You are fat ||
 * You are loathsome ||
 * What kind of Jew is this? ||
 * Refrain: We are all Jews… ||
 * Strong as iron, will never wear ||
 * If not good, get your money back ||
 * Or pray Shma Yisrael (Here Oh Israel…) ||
 * You’re a nut, you’re a scoundrel ||
 * A thief, you are low ||
 * You’re a Chazir (pig) you're fat ||
 * Your despicable ||
 * What kind of Jew is this? Refrain ( we are all Jews) ||
 * Sir, look at this pitcher ||
 * It's really special ||
 * A Baghdad caliph ||
 * Drank from it just a week ago. ||
 * You're a donkey (an ass), You're a fool ||
 * You're a cheat, your despicable ||
 * You're a swindler, You are low ||
 * You're a chazir (pig) You are fat ||
 * You are loathsome ||
 * What kind of Jew is this? ||
 * Refrain: We are all Jews… ||
 * A Baghdad caliph ||
 * Drank from it just a week ago. ||
 * You're a donkey (an ass), You're a fool ||
 * You're a cheat, your despicable ||
 * You're a swindler, You are low ||
 * You're a chazir (pig) You are fat ||
 * You are loathsome ||
 * What kind of Jew is this? ||
 * Refrain: We are all Jews… ||
 * You're a swindler, You are low ||
 * You're a chazir (pig) You are fat ||
 * You are loathsome ||
 * What kind of Jew is this? ||
 * Refrain: We are all Jews… ||
 * What kind of Jew is this? ||
 * Refrain: We are all Jews… ||
 * Refrain: We are all Jews… ||
 * Refrain: We are all Jews… ||

I chose this poem since it shows the mosaic that makes up the Jewish population in Israel. The melting pot is not always pleasant, but opposites do attract. At first the latest immigrants are taken in poorly with much suspicion and stereotypes. The Middle Eastern temperament is depicted as a noisy market with a rude exchange of uncomplimentary nicknames, mingled with wide selection of merchandise. As time wears on, the common denominator such as the Jewish prayer of "Shma Yisrael" and the realization that we are all the chosen ones, surfaces. We understand that we all the sons of Israel must be friends. "Kol Yisrael Haverim"

http://www.mkm-haifa.co.il/schools/ofarim/hagim/lagbaomer/001.doc http://www.hebrewsongs.com/?song=eretzyisraelsheli (translation) The song "Eretz Yisrael Sheli" is a very beautiful song. It makes you feel connected to Israel. For example, the words "ani baniti bayit b'eretz yisrael" ("I built a house in Israel") give the listener the feeling that he contributed to Israel by building the house he lives in. The song represents Israel and this is a song that is sung from a young age. The song also describes the land of Israel in beautiful terms using the images of flowers blossoming and trees growing. "Eretz Yisrael Sheli" is written in the first person, so the song feels very personal. This is both positive and negative. It is a good thing because it makes each person who hears the lyrics feel like the song is about him. It is negative because it takes away from the community feeling that exists in Israel.
 * Tova:**

Batsheva
[|אני יהודי- I'm a jew / shlock rock]

This song was originally written in Hebrew, here is the translation:

When they ask me who am I (I will say) I am not Ashkenazi, Sefaradi, Taimani or Tzarfati I am not Morrocan, American, or Russian Chorus: I am a Jew When they ask me what am I (I will say) I am not religious or secular, left wing or right wing, Not an optimist nor a pessimist, naive, Chorus… All of Israel are connected to each other All of Israel are brothers We live here together, we live with hope And more important than anything is love We are citizens, we are soldiers, people, yes we are human beings, We stride and move ahead, we believe, we hope, and we do not lose hope We are Jews

I think this is a very nice song. It talks about how although on the outside we look divided, when it comes down to it we are all Jews. We're one religion and one nation. I think that message is very important and is a very big part of Judaism.

Rachel
PEACE TO YOU, LOVELY COUNTRY

I was in Paris and also in Rome, I saw the seven wonders of the world, At the North Pole and also at the South, But there's no place like the Land of Israel. And like postcards of beautiful scenery Pictures fly through my memory As if through the lens of a camera. In my backpack I carry them, everywhere, on every journey Pieces of a mosaic within the whole picture.

Chorus: Peace to you, lovely country Your poor servant carries a song of praise to you. Though sometimes I wander on the road - How good it is to wander, but even better to return.

The turrets of the towers in Jerusalem, And alleyways of the colorful street market; The tile roofs of Givatayim, which are seen through my window. Springtime in Tel Aviv, My grandmother and my grandfather, The challah and the Shabbat candles. The Dead Sea opposite the hills of Edom And Lot's wife looking towards Sodom And the summertime, as you approach Eilat.

Peace to you, lovely country...

The blue waters of Kineret And the matching sky above. And the familiar feeling of home Flows like electricity within my veins. The mountains of the Galil, and Shomron The orchards in the Sharon, And children in the garden of a moshava; The Carmel and the sea, Each one separately, and all of them, Always wink to me, saying "Welcome!"

Peace to you, lovely country...

i love this song! it really exprecess my feelings about israel, that no matter wher you go ther's no place like israel! israel is our home and there's no place in the world like it! i feel the song is not only talking about an indevidual but also telling our history of the jeuish people. we were all around the world, mooved from one place to another but always found our way home, to our home israel! israel is the most beautiful plase. it hase every kind of vieu, and great waether! i appreciate every moment of living in israel!

Temima
HATIKVA

Kol od balevav penima Nefesh Yehudi homiya, Ulfa'atei mizrach kadima Ayin l'Tziyon tzofiya.

Od lo avda tikvatenu, Hatikva bat sh'not alpayim, Lihyot am chofshi be'artzenu Eretz Tziyon virushalayim.

THE HOPE

As long as deep within the heart A Jewish soul stirs, And forward, to the ends of the East An eye looks out, towards Zion.

Our hope is not yet lost, The hope of two thousand years, To be a free people in our land The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

by Naftali Hertz Imber

This Poem repesents Israel in many ways. The Poem has hope, faith, zionizm and more. in 1948 it became Israels national song. Every time i hear this song i think about the establishment of Israel, of people who died for our country. These people didn't know that one day there will be a country with millions of Jews living in it. They hoped for a land and we finally have one... I feel that we are in the process of getting to the goel in this poem- Zion!

Tzurit
I chose to bring the song Hebrewman because it shows how important it is to speak the hebrew language. The artist talks about the history of the hebrew languge in all of the religions. I brought this song also because I love the artist and his songs.... (Ehud Banay- אהוד בנאי) http://www.shiron.net/songView.aspx?song_id=10793&singer_id=57&song_title=19e33a

Rachel R
This song is originally written in Hebrew - so I hope you enjoy my translation.....

"On the thorn and on the honey On the bitter and the sweet On our little baby daughter O' good g-d please protect

On the fire that gives us light On the sweet water On the person who returned home From afar

Chorus: On all of these, all of these O' god please protect On the thorn and the honey On the bitter and the sweet

Please don't uproot what has been planted And don't forget the hope Return to me, and I will return unto thee To the holy land

G-d protect this house This garden and this wall From sorrow, from sudden fear And from war

Protect on the little that I have On the light, and on the young On the fruit that hasn't ripen yet Or been picked

Chorus: On all of this, all of this O' g-d please protect On the thorn and the honey On the bitter and the sweet..."

Well there it is! My lovely song. This song talks more about g-d then Isreal- but I really like this song! Although- they do mention Israel, and everything in this song is about things in Israel. This song is asking from g-d to protect everything they have- Their hope, house, holy land and so on. Israel needs a lot of protection and even though it's such a small country, it has such a long history, and everyone seems to be fighting for it. Israel is such a beautiful country and it's so special! I really love Israel!

Shlomit:
http://www.hebrewsongs.com/?song=misparim I brought this song because that he is a modern song he shows the kind of songs that Israelis are hearing and his words are performing the Israelis life. He is talking about things that happens every day; about the army, all the accidents, banks, phones money and that kind of things and at the end he is mention the holocaust which all Israel is build on her.

Malka
"land of milk and honey" "ארץ זבת חלב ודבש" this is a pasuk from the torah which is a song that i remmeber my family used to sing when i made aliya.

Ma'ayan
i think that through out life we all make mistakes. As a jewish nation we sould turn more and admite our mistakes, rather then keep them in and neglect them. Which, sadly, is more of wat we have been receving from our leaders. this ability to turn to g-d is what makes us unique!


 * Adon Ha' Slichot**

Master of Forgivings examiner of hearts the revealer of depths speaker of justice

We have sinned before You , have mercy upon us.

Eliana
הארץ שלי

ביצוע: אילנה רובינא מילים: רחל שפירא לחן: מוני אמריליו

הארץ שלי היא ים והיא הר, היא עמק ירוק, והיא פרא מדבר, היא אופק טובע בתוך עננים, היא אבן חולות, וחופים לבנים. הארץ שלי היא חמסין והיא כפור, היא חדי הצוקים ורכות המישור, היא רבת מרחבים והיא כה קטנטנה היא שחק גבוה, והיא אדמה.

הארץ שלי היא צבעים וריחות, היא סמטה של רחוב והיא ארבע רוחות, היא שלוות הכפרים והיא דופק העיר, היא בכי חנוק ולחן של שיר. הארץ שלי היא תריסר אהובי, היא אלפי אלמונים החולפים על פני, היא כאב ושנאה, והיא פחד עמוק, והיא צרור של שמחות אהבה, והיא צחוק.

הארץ שלי היא מלח ודבש, היא ספר עתיק והיא פלא חדש. היא סיפור מאבק שאיננו נואש, היא הארץ שלי היא הארץ שלי ממש, ממש My Country Is sea and mountains Is a green valley and is wild deserts Is drowning horizons in clouds, Is rocky sand and white beaches My country Is heat waves and cold spells Is sharp cliffs and soft coasts Is spacious yet so small Is High Heights and soil

My country Is colors and smells Is alleys of a street and four ways Is tranquil villages and is the pulse of the city Is choking cries and the melody of a song My Country Is a dozen of my lovers Is a thousand anonymous passersby Is pain and hatred and is deep fear And is a multitude of happy loves and is laughter

My Country Is salt and honey Is an ancient book and is a new wonder Is a struggling story that doesn’t tire, Is my country Is my country Realy Realy.

I feel that this poem really represents how I feel about Israel. People always complain about Israel and act as if America and other countries are so much better. I don’t agree. I love Israel just the way it is.

Riva
Ehud Banai Hebrewman! Speak up the language of the Hebrew man Loud and clear! The language of the Hebrew man It is the language of the prophets Of the sign up on the wall It is old and sacred It will open up your soul Speak up the language of the Hebrew man Loud and clear! The language of the Hebrew man. From the deepest mess of downtown Babylon It will take you to the next train to Mount Zion It will get you up, it will make you play The language of the Hebrew man will take you high You know Abraham spoke the language of the Hebrew man And also Jesus from Nazareth and Mary Magdalena Einstein Jeremiah, the Dylan and the Cohen They knew something about the language of the Hebrew man And when the Lord said: “Let there be light” It was in the language of the Hebrew man And when Moses said: “Let my people go” It was in the language of the Hebrew man Speak the language of the Hebrew man!

I know that it’s Ehud Banai again but he is truly one of the most amazing Israeli artists. I love this poem it shows us really what we the “Hebrewman” should be prude for. Some times we are so embers about our nation or our language. But we should be happy and proud for how we are!

Reut
In my opinion, this poem has a lot to do with Israel. In the line: "Rekindle old values, so precious, like new..." You can understand that whoever comes to Israel really gets connected to the land. There are many tourists who come to see what this amazing land is all about. The first thing they experience is the love of everyone around them and it feels like their own family. In a few days these tourists already feel part of the country as a whole. Another prime example of caring for one another is the line "Love of mankind most sublime." This shows that wherever you are in Israel you feel a sense of warmth and unity for your fellow citizens around you. This is probably the only country where one can experience this fully. As a whole, this poem guarantees the future of Jewish generations coming and settling in this land. __http://www.jewishmag.com/108mag/twopoems/twopoems.htm__

Orly:
I think that the song can show the face of Israel because the song is talking about the different kinds of people that live in Israel. There are people from all over the world – Russians, Frances, Americans, Ethiopians, and others. But in Israel it doesn't matter because here we all are Israelis people and citizens of Israel. There is no problem to speak with other that is not from society, you can mix different people together and they will be friends. It can be like that also in family – one of the parents may be white American while the other be brown Yemenite (my family is like that), so the traditional integrating and the family children's color coming up in the middle. http://www.mp3music.co.il/lyrics/1583.html Translation.