In January of 1980, Rupert Holmes’ “Escape”, also known as the “Pina Colada Song”, was the number one musical hit.  Many of us can remember singing it as it played on the radio in our station wagons or, if we were totally tubular, as it blasted through our Sony Walkman’s earphones!

As we prepare to celebrate Purim this weekend and return to the good old 1980’s (services tonight at 7:30PM – come in a 1980’s costume!!!), how totally righteous is it that Rupert Holmes rewrote his classic just for us this Purim!

Escape: The The Manischewitz Song

Rupert Holmes with some help from Rabbi Andrew (Psych!)

I was tired of my rabbi, we’d been together too long.

Like a worn-out recording, of my not-so-favorite song.

So while he stood there praying, my texts I went and read.

Thank G-d I put my phone on vibrate,

Cause I got this new message that said:

“If you like sweet Manischewitz, and think most Jews are insane.

If you take hot yoga at Ellen’s, if you have half-a-brain.

If you like the tuna at Marian’s,

And think the new restaurant’s shipshape,

I’m the new rabbi you’ve looked for,

Text me back, and escape. :)”

I didn’t think about my rabbi, I know that sounds kind of mean.

But me and my rabbi, had fallen into the same old dull routine.

So I sent a text back during services, I know that’s bad.

But even though I felt kind of naughty, I also felt pretty glad.

“Yes, I like sweet Manischewitz, and think most Jews are insane.

I prefer TooJay’s tuna, but, who am I to complain?

I’ve got to meet you by Friday sundown,

And cut through all this red tape.

At Lime in the Fountains, where we’ll plan our escape. <3″

So I waited with high hopes, then he walked in the place.

I knew the kippah in an instant, I knew that look on his face.

It was my own special rabbi, and he said, “Oy, it’s you.”

And we kibbitzed for a bissel, and I said, “I never knew!”

“That you liked sweet Manischewitz,

And think most Jews are insane.

You search for bargains at Marshalls,

But say that the Broward Mall has gone down the drain.

If you think Ramat’s Oneg is lousy

And think that they should serve chocolate crepes

You’re the rabbi that I’ve looked for, come with me, and escape.”

“If you like sweet Manischewitz, and think most Jews are insane.

If you take hot yoga at Ellen’s, if you have half-a-brain.

If you like the tuna at Marian’s,

And think the new restaurant’s shipshape,

I’m the new rabbi you’ve looked for,

Text me back, and escape.”

Please!  Join us tonight for Shabbat/Purim services, a festive 1980’s Oneg and a radical 1980’s song fest featuring “Escape: The Manischewitz Song” and many other “classics”.

You will laugh a lot and there is nothing wrong with that!

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim (Our children’s Shabbat/Purim service is at 6:30 tonight and remember the carnival is Sunday!!!)