First, take out your No. 2 pencils and answer this question: Where did the traditional Jewish song, “Hava Nagila” originate?
(1) Jerusalem
(2) Warsaw
(3) Miami
Okay, it’s a trick question. The real answer will surprise you, and it’s only one of the many fascinating facts revealed in producer/director Roberta Grossman’s Hava Nagila (The Movie).
To most of us raised in the Jewish faith, “Hava Nagila” is a longstanding institution— part folk song, part anthem. We sing it at weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and all manner of other celebrations, and we never sing it sitting down. At the first chords of the song, everyone in the room jumps up, forms a circle, and dances the Hora. “Hava Nagila” without the hora is like a bagel without cream cheese or Laurel without Hardy. They’ve been together as long as we can remember.
Director Grossman approaches the history of “Hava Nagila” with curiosity generously laced with humor. She questions scholars, musicians, spiritual leaders, Bar Mitzvah boys and Harry Belafonte. She tracks the song from one corner of the globe to the other until it reaches the shores of the United States. As with all great stories, not all versions agree and that conflict only enhances the lure and lore of the song.
“Mitten drinnen,” as we say in Yiddish—in the midst of it all—there are performances by Belafonte, Danny Kaye, Connie Francis, Lena Horne, Glen Campbell, and even a young Bob Dylan.
Wikipedia devotes only a scant four lines to the history of “Hava Nagila.” A song of such enduring significance deserves better, and gets it in Grossman’s movie. Best of all, you don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate “Hava Nagila” So, go! Enjoy!
Running Time: One hour and 13 minutes.
Hava Nagila (The Movie) is currently playing at West End Cinema and the Avalon Theatre. Buy tickets here.
https://youtu.be/B971FNuLgQo
https://youtu.be/Xja9I74Aquw
