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Hatikvah (The Hope) is the national anthem of the State of Israel. It describes the yearning felt in every Jewish heart for our homeland, a passion that persists despite persecution, exile and the span of history. The national kids magazine Babaganewz commissioned me to produce a new version of this poignant song to open a CD collection based on the enduring hope that characterizes the Jewish people. Their request was that the song be rearranged in a format that young people would relate to while maintaining the dignity of the original. I concocted a swirling techno mix with multi-layered keyboards, a club-style beat and a dozen overdubs of my vocal. I must thank Chuck Sparks for putting his signature on the mixdown. I recognize it's not for everybody...you'll have to judge for yourself.

We have decided to make it available online as a high quality mp3 and ask for a $3 minimum donation to Kids 4 Kids for each download. Kids 4 Kids provides crucial services to young people in Israel who are victims of terror or are in families that have victims of terror in their ranks. We thank you for your interest in this important cause and for partnering with us in doing this small but significant mitzvah. Please send checks or donate online to kids for kids or add $3 to your Visa or Master Card order.

HATIKVAH (clik here to download)

Hatikvah
Lyrics by Naftali H. Imber, Music by Samuel Cohen

Kol od baleyvav p'nima
Nefesh Yehudi homiya
Ul'fatey mizrach kadima
Ayin l'Tziyon tzofiya

Od lo avda tikvateynu
Hatikvah bat sh'not alpayim
Lihiyot am chofshi b'artzeynu
Eretz Tziyon Yerushalayim
Lihiyot am chofshi b'artzeynu
Eretz Tziyon Yerushalayim

As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning deep in the heart

With eyes turned toward the East, looking toward Zion

Then our hope, the two-thousand-year-old hope, will not be lost:

To be a free people in our land

The land of Zion and Jerusalem