Mendy grew up speaking Yiddish in the traditional-yet-cosmopolitan Jewish community of Antwerp, where contemporary professional badkhonim would perform at weddings. His father, Maier Cahan, knew the art of badkhones and would occasionally perform. Mendy Cahan has degrees in Philosophy and in Yiddish literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is founder and director of “YUNG YiDiSH” in Israel, an NGO dedicated to the transmission and collection of Yiddish creativity since 1990. He was founding director of the “Vilnius Yiddish Institute” in its first years.
Mendy is a Yiddish performer and singer with “Yiddish Express” and other constellations. He is an actor and Yiddish advisor at “The Gesher Theatre” in Tel Aviv. He was Yiddish dialogue coach for the film “Son of Saul” which was awarded the Grand Prix du Jury in Cannes 2015.
Mendy Cahan has created with his formidable stage presence and inventiveness a performance that will appeal to all walks of life and culture. An all Yiddish contemporary band, both musical and theatrical, a superb extravaganza of exuberance of song and Movement.
An ensemble of seven artists, twelve instruments, present Yiddish poetry and songs of Itzik Manger, H.Leyvik, Y.L.Peretz, folk songs even translations of Jacques Brel and Gershwin.
The musical moods range from New Age, Gypsy. Blues, Klezmer, Hazanut, Rap, Salsa, Greek and others...all join in the realm of age-old Yiddish authenticity.
Performing Languages: Yiddish
Performing Genres: Blues, Cantorial, Folk, Gipsy Beats, New Age