Connecting to Israeli Culture through Song

The Yeladim Project

Featuring: Sagit Sol Epstein and David Epstein

Including a special interview with Yarden, Eli and Lilah

Sagit Sol Epstein, an Israeli living in in the United States saw an opportunity to help bridge the culture gap between American Jew and Israelis. She with the help of her husband, David created The Yeladim Project. It’s a complete family collaboration. Sagit translates and produces, the children sing and dance and David promotes the songs and videos of popular Israeli songs. The upbeat songs are primarily holiday related. Be sure to listen to the entire podcast to hear my short interview with Yarden and Eli’s and one of their Hanukkah songs. You don’t want to miss this moment of extreme cuteness. 

From Yeladem Project’s website:

There is a rich and varied collection of songs and stories for Shabbat and holidays in Israel, many part of school and kindergarten curricula. We wanted to bring these songs and stories to a wider audience worldwide to be a cultural bridge between the Jews in Israel and those in English speaking countries. We believe this can help unite our people and strengthen the connection with Israel.

About:

Having grown up in Israel, was surprised that children here do not sing the same holiday and Shabbat songs. Translating them to English makes them more accessible here, and easier to learn.

In Israel, Sagit had a children’s theatre where she wrote, produced, and performed shows for children throughout Israel. Many were adaptations of well known stories, (Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Puss in Boots) as well as original and Israeli folk tales.

Contact The Yeladim Project at info@yeladimproject.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:55 Welcome Back
• 15:40 Interview with Eli, Lilah and Yarden
• 17:25 Hanukkah Song - English
• 18:49 Hanukkah Song- Hebrew