Musical Showcase: Meet Mezumenet - Maryland's Female a Cappella Group

Mezumenet is the University of Maryland's Jewish a cappella group. It was founded in December 2008 by four young women who studied (and sang) in Israel together. When they came to the University of Maryland they wanted to continue to share their passion for singing and Jewish culture.

Their repertoire includes traditional Jewish melodies, current Israeli pop, classic rock, current Broadway hits, and contemporary radio hits, all rounded out with their unique Mezumenet parodies. 

Let us Bench is a parody of Be Our Guest from the animated film Beauty and the Beast. It's about the only thing that's left to do after a long Shabbat lunch -- saying the Grace After Meals (Benching). The lyrics appear below the video.

Enjoy, and Shabbat Shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.



Let us bench, let us bench
Let us daven like a mensch
We've been sitting here and talking and we really need a rest
Challah's gone, cholent too
So there's one thing left to do
It's halacha and I don't lie
Don't believe me? Ask the rabbi!

Time is short, I'm in a crunch
After all it's way past lunch
And I've already digested all this food
Go on and take that step
This is no time to schlep
So let us bench
Let us bench
Let us bench

I got here at twelve o'clock
And you never stopped your talk
Gossiping, oh it was fun
Oh have you seen the rabbi's son?
But politics don't thrill me
And I have somewhere to be
I don't mean to be complaining
You're no longer entertaining

We told jokes
Heard your schtick
Now come on, let's be quick
Oh the food was really great, I've no regrets
But drain that kiddush glass
Get up and off your--tuchus!
And let us bench
Let us bench
Let us bench

Life is so unnerving
For a girl who's so observing
And my head just needs a bed to lay upon
Ah, those Shabbos naps when I was little
Suddenly those good old naps are gone

For hours we've been sitting
And for me it's time for quitting
I need exercise, a chance to use my limbs
Today we just sat around the table
Flabby, fat, and lazy
And it's making me go crazy

Let's not bench, let's not bench
It's not something we suggest
You haven't been here all that long
And dear quite frankly you're our guest
So sit down, eat more food
It's not time yet to conclude
'Til the moonlight starts a-glowing
Let us help you, we'll keep going

Course by course
Song by song
We'll stay here 'til day is done
Then Mez can sing you off to sleep as you digest
We know you love to schmooze
(But I've just got to snooze!)
So let's not bench (So let us bench!)
Let's not bench (Let's bench!)
Let's not bench (Miriam, you pulled this last week, I'm not doing it again!)
Please let's not bench (The rabbi's son would be so disappointed!)