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In an effort to raise both funds and awareness for two Israeli young men who are being held in a Japanese prison for almost three years, Danny Finkleman, producer of the Unity project to benefit Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, has created another stunning music video, The Japan Song.

The Japan Song: Official Music Video

In an effort to raise both funds and awareness for two Israeli young men who are being held in a Japanese prison for almost three years, Danny Finkleman, producer of the Unity project to benefit Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin, has created another stunning music video, The Japan Song.

This music video features the two top names in Jewish music, superstars Shloime Daskal and Avraham Fried.

The Japan Song is a remake of the Dveykus 2 classic, In A Vinkele, later re-recorded as Tatte by Yaakov Shwekey, featuring all new lyrics by Moti Ilowitz and Moshe Kravitsky in both English and Yiddish. Filmed on two continents, much of the footage for the moving video was filmed at the Chiba Detention Center where the two are being held, only days before Japan was devastated by an earthquake-tsunami combination that claimed the lives of thousands.

The seven minute long video describes the plight of Yoel Zev Goldberg and Yaakov Yosef Greenwald, who are imprisoned in Japan after suitcases that they were carrying for someone else were found to contain drugs. The two, who passed polygraph tests, have long protested their innocence and a third young man, Yosef Bando, has already been released. Produced and directed by Finkelman in conjunction with Teltech Entertainment, The Japan Song is sponsored by the Aaron Teitelbaum Orchestra and Hitech Merchant Services, with musical production by Eli Lishinsky and Nir Graf and cinematography by Mauricio Arenas and De Grupo Films.

While filming in Japan, Daskal and Finkelman had the opportunity to spend thirty minutes with each of the two young men. Meeting them and spending time at the Chiba Detention Center left Daskal and Finkelman feeling even more inspired than ever to do whatever they could to help the pair.

“While I was impressed with the good nature of the Japanese people and their respect for us as Jews,” said Finkelman, “it was heartbreaking to realize that despite the fact that these two young men are imprisoned just a few feet away from each other, they are kept separated and have not spoken to each other for almost three years. While so many of us pray for the welfare of these two young men, it is important that we remember them both with prayers and the donations that are so desperately needed to fund their defense.”

Donations can be made at TheJapanSong.com, and can be purchased from MostlyMusic.com, which also features the actual music video, song lyrics, information about the case and pictures of both the Chiba Detention Center and the recording sessions in both Japan and New York. Contributions can also be mailed to Ezras Rayim c/o Japan Boys, 17B Cedar Lane, Monsey, New York 10952.

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21 Comments

  • Leah

    Unfortunately this video is not helping the boys in Japan and may in fact be harming them. The families of the boys, and those closely involved in the case begged the creators of this video not to go ahead. The Japanese legal team feels strongly this will harm their case. Sadly, the makers of this video chose to continue with its production despite these repeated requests.It is also not clear that money sent to the above address will go to helping the boys.

  • Mottel

    At a time when 12,000 people have been killed by a deadly tsunami and quake, and another 16,000 are still missing, it seems in incredibly poor taste to release this video.

  • shalit

    its all very nice….but how come noone thinks of gilad shalit whos being held by hamas for so long…no songs no tehilim for him..why?

  • Anonymous

    To Leah #2

    Thats interesting why is the father of one of the boys in this very video, don’t you think that if it was a bad idea he would be against it.

  • TO number 3

    It is very simple one jewish soul has a value that is unexplainable! We ALL FEEL for the tradegy in Japan it doesn’t change anything it doesn’t make these boys need of help any less. One tragedy doesn’t negate another tragedy.

  • song

    The songs are amazing, but did not like the background or the video, it did not go with the heart rending words.

    Hashem please send Moshiach now then we all(Yidden) can go home to Yerushalyim.

  • To #5

    Perhaps because with Shalit there is no cause that raising money can help. Unfortunately there are no lawyers to pay and no court to appeal to. This video seems to have been released to raise money as money can help with the boys chances of being released through repeated legal efforts. So unless you know of a hitman that can be hired to help get Shalit back there is really no reason to raise money. And if you find that hitman, I don’t think you will need a music video to raise money. Now your real question should be “what about Jonathan Pollard?”.

  • Jews Unite

    beautiful video, and what does the tsunami have to do with releasing the boys? Since Japan is now dealing with devastation we should ignore two Jewish souls in prison????? I am so confused by the strong words against something that is done to only do good. Yashar Koach to all of you that have a part in making this video. I personally forgot about those boys, it is a necessity that am yisroel be reminded!!!

  • GITEL

    WHY DOESN’T JAPAN WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT THIS DEVASTATION CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE TREATMENT OF THESE TWO BOYS?