Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah Men

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Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah Men is a Jewish American children's music cassette and video series.

"Uncle Moishy" is a Hassidic Orthodox Jew who sings about adhering to Jewish law. His style has been compared to that of Mister Rogers or Captain Kangaroo.

The project began in Toronto in the late 1970s. The original band members were Moishe Tanenbaum, Zale Newman, and Chaim Shainehouse. Newman and Shainehouse have left a while ago, leaving Moishe Tanenbaum soloing as everybody's favorite uncle. The group has produced 14 cd's and 8 videos to date.

His tapes and videos are sold in most Jewish stores around the world. While he is based in New York, he has traveled all around the globe, among the places are Israel, Canada, England, South Africa and Hong Kong.

Characteristic songs are "Give a Little Tzedakah" and various tracks encouraging keeping kosher. For example, the following is an excerpt from one of his songs (sung partially to the tune of "Ten Little Indians"):

Throw away your ham and bacon

I won't eat it, you're mistaken.

I'm a Jew and I'm not fakin'

I eat only kosher.

So every time you're in the market,

Only get food with the kosher sign on it.

It's good for me and its good for you

And what do you know: Hashem loves it too!

Interestingly, Uncle Moishy is not Mr. Tannenbaum's main gig. When not entertaining kids he is actually a skilled wedding and portrait photographer.