Comments on: ‘Tzena, Tzena’: History of an Israeli-American Hit

By: Mark Lavitt

Mark Lavitt — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:06:24 +0000

I first heard and then learned the words of Tzena in 1950. I was a camper in Palmer, MA at Camp Mohican. It just so happens, that Julie Grossman was the music director of that camp and that’s exactly who taught us the song.

By: Tzena Bayless

Tzena Bayless — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:05:57 +0000

I was born in the United States on September 14th, 1950 – between Rosh HaShanah (the Feast to remind us to blow the Trumpet) which is September 11th sundown THIS year (Vayikra 23:23-25 / Leviticus 23:23-25) AND Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) September 20th sunset (Vayikra 23:26-28 / Leviticus 23:26-28). My mother heard the song and it touched her heart. She named me Tzena.
The first time I heard My Father’s voice Calling Me (out) BY name, was when I was 12. THAT IS THE DAY (that) I learned that there are true CONSEQUENCES (reward or recompense) for what we do.
The Hebrew version by “Issachar” Miron and “Yechiel” Chagiz is correct and these young British Israeli soldier’s in Israel may have seen a young (twelve year old), beautiful, shy girl from the Moshava, BUT what man meant for entertainment, our GOD meant for His delight: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam- OUR creator WANTED this song to “go out” into the world all right! It is a song of innocence, beauty and encouragement… “RISE UP & GO FORTH into joy” that is truly why so many like it. By the way Issachar means “Reward or recompense” AND Yechiel means “May God live” (in you). I find it very beautiful that Tzena, Tzena, Tzena” (I have heard) is sung at Arabic, Israeli, Polish and Russian weddings. PERHAPS we will hear/here it at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Shalom, Tzena Bayless Smith

By: Jerry Kaufman

Jerry Kaufman — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:21:36 +0000

As a lover of history and the Hebrew language, this is a fascinating article matched by wonderful responses. Thanks to all of you!

By: Guy Ben-Moshe

Guy Ben-Moshe — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 21:26:31 +0000

Nobody in this thread has mentioned that the song title is a pun. Tsena spelled tsadik-nun-ayin (one word) means austerity, which was what Israel was going through during the first years of our statehood. Coupons for meat, limits on sugar purchase, etcetera. People were sick and tired of hearing Ben-Gurion declare on the radio “Chaverim, yaish tsena b’aretz” (my friends, we have austerity in our country). And here come two composers with a song called Tsena, spelled tsadik-aleph nun-aleph (two words), and instead of griping about the tsena the people were singing Tsena in the streets. The melody predated the austerity, but the lyrics were a timely pun that reflected the era.

By: George T

George T — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:33:00 +0000

Why do you only have the first chorus, and not the rest of the song in Hebrew?
There is a lot more of the song in Hebrew that I remember, also recorded by other artists.
I remember being in a Yeshiva of Central Queens (in NY) choir directed by Julius Grossman, who seems to have some credit associated with this song, as you indicate.
Other web sites also indicate that this song was recorded by a lot of other artists including Mitch Miller, Connie Frances, and even a Judy Garland duet with Bing Crosby. It was also recorded by several Israeli artists.

By: Richard Silverstein

Richard Silverstein — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 07:29:15 +0000

Not true. If you are born to a Jewish mother you are Jewish no matter what religion you were raised in acc. to Jewish law.

By: Moses Mendel Menachem

Moses Mendel Menachem — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 04:11:28 +0000

Dear A.J. Weinstein.
Not withstanding the fact that your Jewish parents raised you Episcopalian, if you believe in Jesus you are not Jewish. Judaism is not a race, it’s a religion.

By: Dave Ish

Dave Ish — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:27:40 +0000

I was in grade school in the late 60′s. The lyrics I remember are (to the best of my memory): Tenza, Tenza, come into the fields we’ll begin to work the land,
sewing growing, pionenering all together, come we’ll work the land
tenza, tenza building a new nation soon we’ll dance and have a cellebration,
but first we’ll work then play