“There are many Chanukah songs around, but this one gets me into that happy spirit”

Now that Kislev is already here, what song are you playing to get into the Chanukah spirit?

The song that reminds me that Chanukah is on the way is the ever-popular “Al Hanissim,” composed back in the 1970s by Dov Frimer, which baalei tefillah sometimes adopt for Lecha Dodi or Keil Adon once Rosh Chodesh Kislev arrives. There are many Chanukah songs around, but this one gets me into that happy spirit, probably because at every Chanukah party I ever played, the band always started with that song.

—Yisroel Lamm

Yaakov Shwekey’s “Chasoif,” composed by Baruch Levine. We’re asked to play it at every single simchah this time of year.

—Avrumi Berko

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 938)