Mendy Cahan

Mendy Cahan was conceived and produced in Antwerp (Belgium) in 1963, and grew up there, in the Yiddish-speaking community of the city of diamonds. That maybe explains his attraction to multi-facetedness, brilliance, and to both the polished and the rough components of culture.

While growing up - an activity that still preoccupies him - he absorbed the sing-song of Talmud learning, the traditional lore of zmires, prayers and khazones, as well as the songs of Brel, Brassens and Leonard Cohen - influences that can be perceived in his performing.

Mendy Cahan has degrees in Philosphy and in Yiddish from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is the founder and director of the Yung YiDish Cultural Centre in Jerusalem, as well as founder and director of the Vilnius Yiddish Institute at Vilnius University in Vilna, Lithuania. He lectures on Yiddish literature, performs in various constellations, but feels privileged and lucky when he performs with the brilliant musicians of Yiddish Express. He feels indebted to them all, and especially to Yankele Segal (bass guitar) for his accomplished musical direction and arrangements.