We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

about

I wrote this song at Hava Nashira in summer 2007 after an inspired dinner conversation about what makes a certain songleader "so strong". My answer? He does pushups with his Judaism on his back.

There's actually a Jewish concept behind this, "Al Ha'mitzvot" which means that we carry all of the commandments with us. I imagine that would make us very strong!

NOTE FOR SONGLEADERS: This can be a zipper song, just repeating the chorus and asking for suggestions of different exercises that make us strong and then acting them out. It's actually quite a workout!

CONVERSATION STARTERS:
How does being Jewish make you feel strong?
What things do you carry with you in your heart?

lyrics

"PUSHUPS" (by Jay Rapoport)

My friend Danny is a good man
Likes to write and sing his songs
But every now and then someone wonders
How exactly did he get so strong?

He does pushups with his Judaism
With his Judaism on his back (2x)

If you ever been picked on
You know being different ain’t always a breeze
So let your Judaism make you stronger
Then you can handle anyone with ease

You got to do pushups with your Judaism
With your Judaism on your back (2x)

You may wonder how you can be
Like the great ones who came before
But the truth is you’re a “great” in training
So get started with that heavy Torah

You got to do pushups with your Judaism
With your Judaism on your back (2x)

You may have just a small voice
A still, small voice inside
But that small voice can do great things
So you better stand and sing with pride

You got to do pushups with your Judaism
With your Judaism on your back (2x)

credits

from With All Your Heart, released November 2, 2010
Music and Lyrics by Jay Rapoport, with help from Hava Nashira friends

Jay Rapoport: lead vocals, piano, Hammond Organ
Glenn Grossman: drums
David Meer: double bass
Rachel Reef-Simpson: backing vocals

Recorded by Jon Notar at Mercy Sound Recording Studios, NYC
Piano recorded at Jon's Apartment Studio, NYC
Hammond organ recorded at La Sala Studio, NYC
Produced by Glenn Grossman
Mastered by Discmakers

Copyright Maxfun Music 2010

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Jay Rapoport Chicago, Illinois

Jay Rapoport, RJE takes Jewish values and texts and transforms them into “Ruach Rock”, a catchy piano-pounding style influenced by Ben Folds and Billy Joel. Jay has appeared on the Disney Holiday Singalong and received a Covenant Foundation grant to compose the theme song for the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland’s “La-bri’ut” curriculum. Jay is Director of URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy. ... more

contact / help

Contact Jay Rapoport

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Jay Rapoport, you may also like: