KITKA: A gute vokh

Recorded on the album EVENING STAR (Diaphonica Productions)
Available from http://www.kitka.org/shop

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A GUTE VOKH (A GOOD WEEK)
Yiddish, melody by R. Kalmanovsky, from Breslau, Poland, via Adrienne Cooper, Gerry Tenney and Lorin Sklamberg, arranged by Shira Cion

In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath ends on Saturday evening after the first three stars appear in the sky. The Sabbath greeting and blessing, “A gute vokh” is spoken after Havdalah, a ritual marking the separation of sacred Sabbath or holiday time, and the workweek to come. The Havdalah ceremony involves burning a multi-wicked candle, blessing a cup of wine, and smelling sweet spices.

“A good week, a healthy week!
Oy, we wish to all Jews, and to all the fine, good people who are all here that we should all be healthy.
We will drink wine until the dawn.
Oy, God should give to everyone what he needs, according to his desire.
Oy, bread to eat, clothes to wear, and Kiddush wine for Havdalah (a ritual marking the end of the Sabbath).”

Performed by Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble (2017)
Shira Cion, lead vocals
Kelly Atkins, Caitlin Tabancay Austin, Kristine Barrett, Natalie Bartlett, Barbara Byers, Erin Lashnits Herman, Janet Kutulas, Michele Simon, and Corinne Sykes

With Dan Cantrell, accordion

In this video: Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble (2020) at home
Kelly Atkins (with family), Briget Boyle (with Valentin Cavanagh) Shira Cion, Erin Lashnits Herman (with Ada, June, and Mako), Janet Kutulas (with Poppy and Willow), Hannah Levy, Maclovia Quintana (with Adam Waite and Leyla), Katya Schoenberg, Lily Storm, and Dan Cantrell

Special thanks to our social-bubble smart-phone camera crew: Matt Palmer, Lyndsay Cavanagh, Rumen Sali Shopov, Daniel Herman, Peter Simcich, Howe Pearson, Adam Waite, Corey Todd, Bill Richardson, and Elizabeth Strong

Video remotely directed by Bodgan Darev. Learn more about Bogdan’s work at http://www.filmabee.com, and join us at 7pm (Pacific Time) on Thursday night, December 17 for an “A gute vokh” watch party with Bogdan and Kitka.

Production of this video was supported, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts Art Works program.

Your year-end gift will help support Kitka’s artists and sustain our organization as we weather the current storm. If our Wintersongs 2020 offerings move you, please donate today at http://www.kitka.org/donate.