is a living musical tradition that tells the little-known story of how Jewish culture has been open to the world. Derived from the Greek word meaning poetry, Piyutim are traditionally sung in communal settings for Shabbat, holidays and life-cycle events. In the last decade, the global Jewish music of Piyut has exploded into a national movement in Israel with annual music festivals, recordings by Israel’s rock stars, and Piyut singing communities. Piyut North America aims to bring the richness of the Piyut renaissance from Israel to the US through programs focused on culture, crossover music, yoga and meditation in New York, Boston, and San Francisco.
Min Hametzar and Odekha are sung in the Hallel, a prayer of praise and thanksgiving recited on Holidays and on the first day of the month. The Hallel comprises psalms 114-118, and is also referred to as The Egyptian Hallel because its opening verses relate the story of the Exodus.