Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah Men
Encyclopedia
Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah
Men is a Jewish American children's edutainment
group based in New York City
, featured in audio and video releases, as well as appearing live in concert. Their tapes, CDs and videos are sold in most Jewish music and Judaica stores.
Uncle Moishy has traveled internationally, giving shows in Israel
, Canada
, England
, South Africa
and Hong Kong
.
Lead musician and singer Moshe Tanenbaum is a Hasidic
Orthodox
Jew who stars as "Uncle Moishy" who leads his "Mitzvah Men" in song and verse that expresses the observant religious lifestyle of Orthodox Judaism
. They focus on the religious aspects of Judaism that most easily relate to young children, such as the laws of Shabbat
, kashrut
and the giving of charity, as well as the good deeds of Ethics of Our Fathers, such as helping others and being nice.
Uncle Moishy is not Tannenbaum's main occupation, and when not entertaining children, he works as a wedding and portrait photographer.
" and various tracks encouraging keeping kosher
. For example, the following is an excerpt from one of his songs (sung partially to the tune of "Ten Little Indians"):
, Canada
in 1979. The original band members were Tanenbaum, Zale Newman
, and Chaim Shainhouse; Newman played the role of Uncle Moishy on the early albums. Shainhouse left early on, though he composed for and sang on the first few albums. The group has produced 22 audio albums and 14 videos to date.
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
Men is a Jewish American children's edutainment
Edutainment
Edutainment is a form of entertainment designed to educate as well as to amuse.-Overview:...
group based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, featured in audio and video releases, as well as appearing live in concert. Their tapes, CDs and videos are sold in most Jewish music and Judaica stores.
Uncle Moishy has traveled internationally, giving shows in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
Lead musician and singer Moshe Tanenbaum is a Hasidic
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
Jew who stars as "Uncle Moishy" who leads his "Mitzvah Men" in song and verse that expresses the observant religious lifestyle of Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
. They focus on the religious aspects of Judaism that most easily relate to young children, such as the laws of Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
, kashrut
Kashrut
Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
and the giving of charity, as well as the good deeds of Ethics of Our Fathers, such as helping others and being nice.
Uncle Moishy is not Tannenbaum's main occupation, and when not entertaining children, he works as a wedding and portrait photographer.
Music
Characteristic songs are "Give a Little TzedakahTzedakah
Tzedakah or Ṣ'daqah in Classical Hebrew is a Hebrew word commonly translated as charity, though it is based on the Hebrew word meaning righteousness, fairness or justice...
" and various tracks encouraging keeping kosher
Kashrut
Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
. For example, the following is an excerpt from one of his songs (sung partially to the tune of "Ten Little Indians"):
- Throw away your ham and bacon
- I won't eat it, you're mistaken.
- I'm a Jew and I'm not fakin
- I eat only kosher.
- So every time you're in the market,
- Only get food with the kosher signHechsherA hechsher is the special certification marking found on the packages of products that have been certified as kosher . In Halakha , the dietary laws of kashrut specify food items that may be eaten and others that are prohibited as set out in the commandments of the Torah...
on it. - It's good for me and its good for you
- And what do you know: Hashem loves it too!
Origins
The project began in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1979. The original band members were Tanenbaum, Zale Newman
Zale Newman
Zale Newman is a Jewish community activist and former public official in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Early life and career:Newman is a graduate of Yeshiva University, later did graduate work at McGill University in Montreal, and holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Marketing and...
, and Chaim Shainhouse; Newman played the role of Uncle Moishy on the early albums. Shainhouse left early on, though he composed for and sang on the first few albums. The group has produced 22 audio albums and 14 videos to date.