fbpx

Mandy Patinkin Sings ‘God Bless America’ in Yiddish for Election Day

[additional-authors]
November 3, 2020
Mandy Patinkin (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

In a final attempt to get out the vote on Election Day, Jewish performer, mensch and activist Mandy Patinkin serenaded a group of virtual phone bankers, in Yiddish.

Patinkin is no stranger to singing in Yiddish, his album “Mamaloshen” is sung entirely in the old Jewish language. During the Zoom call for progressive political group Swing Left, he did an emotional rendition of “God Bless America.”

One of the phone bankers in attendance, Amanda Cowper, grabbed a video of the incredibly Jewy moment and posted it on her Instagram. The Journal is posting with her permission.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

😍

A post shared by Amanda Cowper (@acowper) on

 

Patinkin and his wife, Kathryn Grody, have been actively doing their part to encourage Americans to vote this year. Leading up to today, they’ve promoted social causes, donated to organizations, stamped and wrote letters to representatives, educated those on how and where to vote and most recently, took part in phone banking.

Polls are open today, Nov. 3. Click here to find out where your nearest polling station is and when polls close in your region.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Bringing Israeli Doctors Back

ScienceAbroad works with two groups in medicine: physicians who leave Israel for fellowships and Israeli students who attend medical school in Europe.

The Antizionist’s Dilemma

It’s not easy being an antizionist these days. Especially if you’re determined to live in accordance with your most important moral imperative: the denigration of the world’s only Jewish state.

How the Supreme Court Adapted Parshat Shoftim

The Torah offers a better model than avenging and avoiding. It offers a safe opportunity for parties to meet and peacefully explain their perspectives, which might have been misunderstood. They can offer apologies and, where necessary, make amends for harms caused.

Can One Be a Non-Observant Orthodox Jew?

The tradition has always been bigger than any one person’s grip on it. What draws me is simple: I think these texts are a good part of why we are still here as a people. I want to know them and, in my own way, embrace them. Orthodox is where I turn.

Lies, Damned Lies and the Right Side of History

One question alone matters these days: Does this fact strengthen my tribe, or is it bad for it? If bad, it must be suppressed, denied, explained away. The higher truth is the narrative that serves the cause, the quest of the righteous and true.

Life Lessons in Old Age

Hardship and joy are present at every step. There is no time when it will be all good, so focus on the good and carry on. There are always moments to savor and appreciate.

Is Mamdani Helping Bibi?

By explicitly linking Mamdani’s efforts to rising levels of antisemitism, Netanyahu was able to frame himself as a defender of Israel against growing international hostility.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.