The name “Levine and His Flying Machine” is the title of a song about Charles A. Levine, the first Jew to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean, a few weeks after Charles A. Lindbergh’s flight. I enjoy the title because it’s a little old-worldy and a little ridiculous: especially when you learn that Levine didn’t actually fly the plane himself (he paid a gentile pilot to do it). Somehow this made him a community hero who brought “everlasting fame” to the name Levine — at least according to the song.

One recent cover of the song, by the klezmer band Kapelye, is available here. The song was also mentioned in the 2002 NPR series about Yiddish radio. You can listen to that series here. Lyrics to the song (in transliterated Yiddish and translated into English) are available here.

The header is derived from a lovely saguaro photo posted online at Golden Canyon Embroidery. Hopefully they don’t mind me borrowing it!

The Chinese text is a lyric from the revolutionary opera song “Eternal Friendship.” It means “the flowers of the revolution open in our hearts.” You can listen to a nice version with traditional instruments and piano here (note: It’s probably more enjoyable if you speak Chinese).