Beth Shalom Staff Parody 'Honey I'm Good' for Rosh Hashanah

A staff member at Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook had a little fun with his co-workers prior to their celebration of Rosh Hashanah this year.

Matt Rissien, the director of youth activities at the synagogue, put together a spoof of the popular Andy Grammer song “Honey I’m Good.”

The parody, titled “Apples and Honey are Good,” features Rissien, Beth Shalom’s new Assistant Rabbi Ari Averbach and other staff members who wanted to make a fun video about Jewish holidays “as a way to help younger teens and youth relate to the holidays.”

Rissien said he noticed several appearances from couples in Grammer’s original music video.

“I thought it would be fun to get the synagogue staff involved and also ask for participation from my friends on Facebook,” he said.

His friend Brian Wright did the recording and editing as Rissien recorded the song at Dr. Caw Studios in Northbrook.

The refrain of the parody is “Awe baby, naw baby - You’re eating it all wrong baby.”

In addition to Rissien, the video features Averbach and Beth Shalom staff Leann Blue, Deanne Friedman, Maria Catezone, Estelle Miller, Eli Castellano, Naomi Weiss, Brenda Wasserman, Susan Karlinsky and Executive Director Michael Garlin. Clips from the Blaustein, Footlik and Goldwin families were also included.

This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sunday, September 13 and ends at sunset on Tuesday, September 15.