I've lost count of how many times I have watched this clip - it is powerful on so many levels, and it is a wonderful and versatile clip to use as an anticipatory set for a (middle school and up) Judaics class on (take your pick):
- Tshuva - Have your students translate the lyrics that are sung; "As long as the neshama burns within, you can fix things", etc. On a personal note, if only our chazanim could sing like this on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur!
- Tfilla - You can use this clip to introduce the power of the deceptively simple Modeh Ani prayer. Ask students to write what they felt while watching this clip afterwards in their journal.
- Unity - The fact that Artzi, the secular Israeli artist is working with Chassidim to add his touch to a classic liturgical song is one thing; ask students to identify what memories Artzi is reminded of when singing it. What might this mean for common areas of partnership and dialogue between secular and religious Jews? Where can common ground be found?
- Introducing Yiddish - Many students today (at least here on the West Coast) are unfamiliar with the culture and language of Yiddish. This clip could be used as an introduction to how Yiddish and Hebrew can intersect.