The Slipped Disc daily comfort zone (77): God’s behind the tree
mainChava Alberstein taught me emotional survivor skills in the songs she selected and the way she performed them.
A child of Yiddish-speaking Holocaust survivors, she was Israel’s foremost female singer-songwriter. In 1989 her version of a Passover song (below) was banned from the local airwaves for showing empathy with the plight of Palestinians.
It was later used in a Natalie Portman film.
What a beautiful singer. Completely not forcing her voice. And what beautiful songs.
Thank you for bringing up Chava’s songs. She is still active and loved by many people in Israel
Chava Alberstein version of Had Gadia was firstly used in one of the best known works of Choreographer Ohad Naharin and the BatSheva Dance Company… Personally I witnessed an event when the dance was performed at the Tel Aviv Opera House and some leading religious leaders left the auditorium until the dance was over.
Just for the record : I absolutely love Chava Alberstein but calling Israel’s foremost female singer-song writer is not fair. That medal goes to Esther Ofarim and Yaffa Yarkoni or Shoshana Damari are equally important.
Wonderful – thanks.
Also I found this ‘Mahler Grooves’ from NYPO very inspiring :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-d-Whf-9CQ&list=PLAaepkRjPxDM3UXbT4GvmMC_C6ohIlo8-