"Kol Nidre(i)".

OK, girls and boys, let's go WAY back: This powerful declaration is either sung or recited in Aramaic before sunset to open service at the synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day of the year in Judaism. The title translates into "All Vows". It preemptivelly nullifies any promises that one is unable to keep during the ensuing year and focuses on self-imposed religious obligations between the individual and God. Profoundly haunting and emotional, it is sung three times with crescendo, signifying the need to listen and be heard. Originally composed between the 11th and 15th centuries as "Mi Sinai", the most popular version these days was arranged by Max Bruch, who was NOT Jewish. Sung by Neil Diamond in "The Jazz Singer". Title? Answer: "Kol Nidre(i)". Growing up in Puerto Rico, I had very little exposure to the Jewish faith other than what little I learned in Catholic school and that some of my father's clients were Jewish. When I went to Philadelphia to study medicine in 1973 I came in contact with quite a few Jews. One of them was Jeff Elkind aka The Hulk, who lived at Phi Chi down the hall from me. Sadly, he passed away shortly after we graduated. I joined the Jefferson Choir (I was warned not to give up my day job for a singing career!). My first year, we performed "Kol Nidre(i)", along with Mozart's "Requiem", under the direction of my colleague Dr. Bob Sataloff. That was my first exposure to the piece. Some of my dearest friends in the world are Jewish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IEDLZayfdU