Esra Kfar Saba's Open House originally planned a morning lecture about hypnosis and hypnotherapy with Judy Sheldon as its program for January.  Unforeseen circumstances prevented Judy from appearing, but we were not to be disappointed by the organizers of what has become an anticipated, monthly event.

Herb Hahn, a recent immigrant from the  United States and now a resident of Kfar Saba, entertained us in Yiddish, 'Yinglish' and English with stories, anecdotes, songs, nostalgia, readings and tapes of Jewish comics and performers.  Although the audience was a mix of Anglos from many countries, they all enjoyed the  Jewish-American humor of Allen Sherman and George Burns,  the voice of Sophie Tucker singing 'My Yiddishe Momma'  and a thoroughly modern version of what a Yiddishe Momma is like today, with golf lessons, face lifts, and a reluctance to be an available baby-sitter.  We even heard Peggy Lee singing 'Bei Mir Bistu Shayn' with the Benny Goodman Quartet. Herb's wife, Lenore, joined him for a lovely dance, and the audience joined in with song.

Although this was Herb's premier show in Israel, he has been performing for 10 years in the New York Metropolitan area.  He hopes to continue here in Israel, with more shows to follow.

With two children and their families living in Israel, and one daughter still in the States with her two children, the Hahns divide their time living in both countries.  In 2006 they became bonafide olim and Kfar Saba is now lucky to have them in their midst.

As Phyllis Bloch said at the conclusion of the show, “we may not have had Judy Sheldon, but Herb was hypnotic”.