Sh'ma Yisrael - Listen Israel

Fran Gordon and Naomi Less' song "Shma Yisrael" asks the Jewish community at large why in Israel, a modern Jewish democracy, the spiritual civil rights of all Jews are not protected. This song is part of a larger initiative called the "Sacred Rights, Sacred Songs Project" (www.sacredright...) - a concert to awaken Jews around the world to the conflict between Public Jewish Law and the core democratic values found in Israel's Declaration of Independence. (ie. marriage laws, women's rights, divorce, conversion, burial, public transportation.) (see lyrics below...)
Scroll down to learn more about how you can use your voice and get involved.
and click: / listenisrael
Video Credits:
Sh'ma Yisrael © Fran Gordon and Naomi Less, March, 2012
Executive Producer: Fran Gordon
Music Produced and Arranged by: Glenn Grossman (studiog-2.com, Brooklyn, NY)
Video Produced and Directed by: Michal Hanuka
Assistant Video Producer: Glenn Grossman
NYC site filming by: Saul Sudin
Pepper Pike, Ohio site filming by: Steve Hacker
Musicians:
Lead Vocals - Naomi Less (Booking: [e-mail])
Vocalists- Fran Gordon, Shira Kline, Beth Shafer
Keyboard- Sam Glaser
Guitar - Shahar Mintz
Acoustic Guitar - Naomi Less
Bass- Uri Kleinmann
Cello - Yoed Nir
Programming and Drums - Glenn Grossman (www.studiog-2.com)
Participants in making of Sh'ma Yisrael video:
Camp Ramah Wisconsin Staff 2012: Emily Malamud, Shoshana Jaffa, Becca Sykes, Hezi Mizrachi, Phil Kogan, Harry Eskin, Josh Sacks, Steven Hoffman (not shown)
Ramah Darom Gesher campers, Summer 2012 (not shown)
Nesiya Institute participants, Summer 2012
Beit Yisrael, Gilo, Jerusalem, Mechina Program participants, Fall 2012
B'nai Jeshurun Congregation Religious School students, Pepper Pike, Ohio, Fall 2012
Want to get involved?
Check out organizations fighting for democratic rights and spiritual civil rights in Israel.
Use your voice!
www.sacredrightssacredsong.org - a Concert of Concern - build a community-wide concert in your neighborhood to raise awareness on these issues and help support the organizations making social change.
Women of the Wall (www.womenofthew...) - working to secure freedom of religious expression at the Western Wall
Israel Hofshit (www.befree.org....) - catalyzing grassroots involvement in political life in Israel with the goal of readjusting the balance between Synagogue and State
Hiddush (www.hiddush.org) - advocating for change in the relationship between Synagogue and State
Israel Religious Action Center (www.irac.org) - working to guarantee equal rights in all areas of public life
Masorti Foundation (www.masorti.org.il) - strengthening the presence of liberal Judaism in Israel
LYRICS:
Verse:
Who decides how I'm a Jew?
Who dictates what I have to do
to claim my essence
to bond with my Tribe?
A bribe you say could make a difference?
Why this rule and that behavior?
I can't believe Mashiach
would be that kind of saviour
that demands we find the Truth in just one way?
Don't we get something to say?
Chorus:
Sh'ma Yisrael
L'chol am yisrael
Sh'ma l'Kolot Yisrael
L'chol am yisrael
Sh'ma Yisrael
L'chol am yisrael
Sh'ma l'Kolot Yisrael
L'chol am
Intro
Bridge:
In a land that values dignity & the rights of free expression
How could one's identity fall prey to this suppression?
In the modern Jewish State, can we begin to celebrate
the different ways to be part of one tribe?
Chorus:
Sh'ma Yisrael
L'kol am yisrael
Sh'ma l'Kolot Yisrael
L'kol am yisrael
Sh'ma Yisrael
L'kol am yisrael
Sh'ma l'Kolot Yisrael
L'kol am
Yisrael
CHORUS
Who decides how I'm a Jew?
Who dictates what I have to do
to claim my essence
to bond with my Tribe?
In a democracy, more than one voice, should decide.

[@larryHmittman]

Really like this. I think this is the best lyric written by Fran Gordon to date! Naomi, your music and performance is great. Keep it up!
Larry Mittman

[@lizfilm]

"In a democracy, more than one voice should decide." Yes!

[@naomiless]

It will open them if you share with ones that need to be opened! You are empowered to utilize this for good!! Thank you, Vanessa!

[@francinegordon6910]

Sacred Rights, Sacred Song, Sacred PEACE......right now, Sh'ma Yisrael, we hear the sound of the sirens in our soul as our State is threatened by forces external. Right now, Sh'ma Yisrael, that no matter what we may say in these lyrics, our LOVE AND CONCERN for the safety of our soldiers and those in harms way is what we sing of most, tonight, on this 5th night of Kislev, 5773.

[@rezvanahadizad3331]

Verey beautiful song thanx

[@vanessalochs]

This is amazing! May your song open many hearts and minds and lead us to action. With great respect,
Vanessa L. Ochs, University of Virginia

[@Carol4YeshuaAdonai]

Very nice song!!

[@ronaldstewart3467]

Beautiful!

[@francinegordon6910]

Thanks Larry!

[@naomiless]

Brandon - share this out with all of your camp friends. Unfortunately, the Ramah Wisc footage didn't make it into the video (formatting) but they definitely helped make this happen!

[@brandoodlydoo231410]

Love this!

[@neilmacdonald4654]

I support both the Religious and Egalitarian Jews working out this situation at the Kotel. The Kotel is a great place to pray, but their are other places as well. I personally support an Egalitarian Synagogue in the Jewish quarters, perhaps the old Kaararite building in the Old City could be considered, it has not had a minion for many years. Women are a wonderful group within Judaism, their prayers are just as important as the mens prayers. Wouldn't it be great to have men women and children be part of a worship time with them praying in shifts all day long using many instruments and many new songs they all wrote to sing their prayers to the Eternal One in unity 24 hours a day. Love your songs. By the way nice Martin guitar.

[@pottawattami99]

Awesome!!

[@BethHamon]

Fantastic! Is sheet music available? I want to bring this to my high school students at temple ASAP. I'd be fine lifting it by ear; but would rather support your work bybuying a chart if one is available.
Thanks for writing this --Beth Hamon, instructor/songleader, Congregation Beth Israel, Portland, OR

[@naomiless]

Thanks, B. share w ur camp friends!

[@nefi052]

HERMOSA MUY HERMOSA SHALOM

[@naomiless]

Beth h, yes, we're working on getting good lead sheets together. Shoot me your email via facebook message so it's not up here In public

[@JeremyMcGuire-mq3ye]

I'm Jeremy Scott McGuire AKA JEWSM AKA JOSEPH THE HEBREW LORD Jesus Christ The Father of Hebrew Race

[@JeremyMcGuire-mq3ye]

Hi

[@lovanalexanderberenyi7950]

#COMMENT19