This song evokes a sense of nostalgia when the narrator asks if life is still beautiful in the village of Bessarabia: “Does the little tree grow, which I planted long ago?” A central theme in The Odyssey, the word “nostalgia” is derived from the Greek words for “homecoming” (nostos) and “ache” (algos). This longing to return to a home, either real or imagined, is powerful for Jews, especially as we approach Tisha B’Av and remember the fallen temple.

Featuring: Cantors Azi Schwartz and Mira Davis
Song: Alexander Olshantsky and Jacob Jacobs
Arrangement: Raymond Goldstein, commissioned by PAS Music Center
Music director: David Enlow
Video editor: Terrell Simms
Audio editor: Oli Jung
AV: Oscar Acevedo, Terrell Simms, Erik Van Batavia, Justin Goodman