She was the voice of a generation, topping charts in the 1950s and ‘60s with hits like “Where the Boys Are” and “Stupid Cupid.” But long before TikTok rediscovered her timeless sound, Connie Francis left her mark on Jewish music history.

In 1960, the Italian-American pop star quietly released a heartfelt album titled “Connie Francis Sings Jewish Favorites.” It was a tribute to the Jewish neighbors she grew up with in Newark, New Jersey. Despite not being Jewish herself, Francis said she felt deeply connected to the culture and was proud to sing in both Yiddish and Hebrew on the record.

Today, at 86 years old, she’s enjoying a surprising comeback. Thanks to a viral TikTok trend using her classic songs, a new generation is falling in love with her music and uncovering the surprising story of a non-Jewish diva who once sang for her Jewish childhood friends.

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Read the full article from the original source:
Jewish Telegraphic Agency – Connie Francis, 20th-century star turned TikTok sensation, recorded an album of Jewish songs in 1960

Source: JTA, July 2025