Photo via thejc.com

British Chief Rabbi’s song gets million hits on YouTube

A special video recording by Britain's Chief Rabbi, made to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, has just seen one million hits on YouTube, reports Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

The recorded song "Oseh Shalom" recorded by cantors, features the British Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks with soloist chazzans Jonny Rugel, Shimon Craimer and Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld along with the Shabbaton Choir as well as children from the Moriah Jewish Day School in London, according to Jonny Paul, writing in the Jerusalem Post.

The newspaper says the recording was made in the same London studio as the famous 1984 'Band Aid' video, which raised money for famine relief in Ethiopia, and produced by leading producer Trevor Horn. The song was part of the ‘Home of Hope’ music CD released by the Chief Rabbi to mark Israel’s 60th anniversary two years ago.

The newspaper reports that the song was posted on YouTube in May 2008, and the video has been seen as far away as Asia and Africa. One-third of hits have come from the US.

“The one million hits is testament to the love of Jews across the world for the State of Israel,” said Chief Rabbi Sacks. “The words of ‘Oseh Shalom’ reverberate with us all and lift our hearts to a miracle of a land rebuilt.”

Oseh Shalom means 'He Who makes peace', and the song says "May He Who makes peace in the Heavens grant peace to us, and to all our people; and let us say, Amen."

Shabbaton choir director Stephen Levey, who composed the new version of the song, paid homage to the Chief Rabbi.

“I’m absolutely amazed at the response it has had. To reach one million hits is beyond all expectation. I cannot thank enough all those who made it possible and to the Chief Rabbi whose belief in the project inspired us all,” he said.

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TAGS: Great Britain Chief Rabbi 60th anniversary of the State of Israel YouTube Oseh Shalom Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

[10/29/2010]

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