Who Said ‘Yes, We Can’ First?

By COLlive.com

Before anyone ever heard of the name Barack Obama, there was a Shliach giving an unforgettable speech at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel. It was filled to capacity with over 2000 in attendance. The theme of the speech was unity and religious freedom; The famous line that was repeated over and over again was, “Yes, We Can! Yes – We – Can!”

The date: September 2001.

The Shliach: Rabbi Moshe D. Bryski from Agoura Hills, CA – this year’s keynote speaker at the Kinus Hashluchim banquet.

Jewish Abstract Media has just released a preview of their Chanukah video for Shluchim to customize. Shluchim will have a chance (while in Crown Heights) to be filmed and star in the video to send out to their respective community and local media.

They based the clip on the #1 video on YouTube which called on U.S. residents to support the Democratic candidate for presidency.

“We drafted Rabbi Bryski to brighten our studio with his famous line and give his powerful enthusiasm to the video,” JAB wrote in a press release.

The video clip was produced by Jewish Abstract Media with Chabad of Malibu. It features many Jewish YouTube celebrities, including Lubavitcher entertainer and web celeb Mendy Pellin and star of the Onion hit Adam Kaufman (vocals).

Chanukah 2008 – Lyrics:

It was the bold encouragement offered by Moses to a nation yearning for freedom Yes, we can!

It was the phrase that kept our hopes alive during historys harshest times Yes we can Yes we can

It was spoken defiantly to those wishing to stamp out religious freedoms – Yes we can

When triumph seemed beyond reach; G-ds miracle was not. In hidden caves, attics and cellars His people courageously whispered: – Yes He can

THIS was the message that G-d sent the world when a small team of Maccabees vanquished an entire army – Yes we can – Yes we can

And was the comforting answer to the Jews in Communist Russia who wondered: Will the Menorah ever shine in my life

– Yes. We. Can.

On Chanukah we celebrate freedom we celebrate with pride we celebrate in public, in the open because we can! Whether you lit the menorah last year, or 20 years ago celebrate this Chanukah with family celebrate with Chabad

Start lighting YOUR menorah Sunday evening December 21st, 2008 and let the flame of freedom speak for herself: – Yes. We. Can.