This Yiddish song, written by Rev. Abraham Singer, was one of my father’s favorite concert selections. The song compares the synagogue of yesteryear to the one of today. Singer tells the story of how crowded the shuls were at the beginning of the 20th Century when the Jewish people attended religious services regularly with their families to hear the Cantor and choir. They would leave the shul humming a new melody or discussing the Rabbi’s sermon.
But today, the shuls are empty because the Jewish people cannot find the time to go. Therefore it remains a place just for mourners to attend. But, the composer ends the song on an optimistic note.
Someday, the Jewish people will start attending again and once again begin to follow the Laws of the Torah. Only then, will our Creator forgive us and we will no longer suffer. This particular rendition was sung on one of his broadcasts on W.E.V.D.
