Generations
Written by Lenny Solomon and Chaim Katz

The lights of Ellis Island grew bigger and brighter
Max and his brother stepped on US soil
From war torn Poland they arrived in nineteen seventeen
Eager to rebuild, fulfill their dreams.

The brothers made their trade selling clothing
On a pushcart in the street they got their start
Working many hours to make a few cents at a time
The Shabbat they gave up, it broke their hearts
The Shabbat they gave up, it broke their hearts

Throughout the east coast they expanded
The business and their fortune had really grown
His brother moved to a city in Virginia
But he forgot about raising a Jewish home

Max moved his family to Long Island
Raised his children well that was the next step
But he never passed on the traditions
Generations later this is what was left
Generations later this is what was left

He was brought up with no Jewish Education
He was brought up with no Jewish Motivation
Barely knew he was a part of the Jewish nation
Would this be the end – assimilation?
He was a Jew by definition
He was a Jew with no tradition

Chorus: Somewhere down the line it happened over time
The generations dwindled down to this
Come back, be part of the Jewish People
Come back, feel the excitement within you
Deep inside your soul, we’re dependant one and all
You are a Jew with a connection
You are a Jew in need of inspiration

She was raised in a small town in Virginia
Presents under the tree didn’t know a menorah
On Saturday she was a mall goer
Cause in this town there was no one to show her
She was a Jew by definition
She was a Jew with no tradition (Chorus)

If you asked the brothers is this what they wanted
They’d answer you this was our worst fear
Unaware of their heritage and their background
Their future generations might disappear

Now some will find their way back and some never will
But the stories in every household are the same
Families don’t have to be a footnote in Jewish History
Know that we all have a Jewish name
Know that we all have a Jewish Name