The lead singer of a popular Israeli band was given a standing ovation by a packed auditorium in Jerusalem’s National Conference Center when he called for Arutz-7 to be brought back on the airwaves.
The Annual Reb Shlomo Carlebach Memorial Concert was held Saturday evening at Jerusalem’s Convention Center. Eleven musical acts came together before an audience of thousands to pay tribute to the songs and legacy of the legendary ‘singing Rabbi,’ Reb Shlomo Carlebach, of blessed memory.
Musicians from across the religious spectrum - some wearing the hats and frocks of traditional Hassidic garb, some dressed comfortably and colorfully, and many seeming to reach back in time to the fashions of the Bible – came together to continue the legacy of the late “dancing Rabbi” whose influence has spread from the hills of Judea and Samaria to Northern Tel Aviv to the study halls of B’nei Brak and Mea She’arim, as well as all over the world.
Each musician played three or four melodies composed by ‘Reb Shlomo’ – as he insisted on being referred to during his lifetime - infusing each tune with their unique style – Hassidic, modern Israeli, American jam-band, or the simple flute and guitar of the hilltops of Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza).
Many performers took the opportunity to say a few words. Some spoke about their relationship with the late Rabbi. Some offered prayers to God, and words of strength and comfort to the Jewish people during these hard times. Some reminded the crowd that, although every sector and denomination now openly accepts Reb Shlomo – even claiming that ‘he was from us’ – during his lifetime he was literally spat upon in many circles, his music forbidden and his way ridiculed. The crowd was reminded not to make the same mistakes today – failing to recognize the greatness of a fellow Jew until it’ too late.
Yehuda Katz, a student and close friend of Reb Shlomo, asked the massive crowd to quiet down for a few moments so he could say a few words. “Reb Shlomo was the sweetest most soft spoken person I’ve ever known,” said Katz. “The only time I saw him get angry is when someone would say something bad about the Jews and their right to all of the Land of Israel, and when someone would shut somebody else up and not allow them to be themselves.” Katz then raised his voice and beseeched the audience: “I know that both of these things force me cry out, demanding that Arutz-7 be brought back on the airwaves.”
Katz, who immigrated to Israel with his family in 1993, joined together with other new immigrants to form his current band, Reva L’Sheva – whose name refers to the fifteen minutes before the Sabbath which is a metaphor given for our current generation and its proximity to the redemption.
“Although there are many who carry in Reb Shlomo’s musical legacy, it was very comforting to hear a man who is carrying on Shlomo’s insistence on defending the honor of the Jewish people and our Land, as well,” said Miriam HaLevi, who attended Saturday night’s concert.
The observance of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s 9th memorial will take place with prayer, song and psalms at 2 PM Tuesday, November 11th at the Har HaMenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem.
The Annual Reb Shlomo Carlebach Memorial Concert was held Saturday evening at Jerusalem’s Convention Center. Eleven musical acts came together before an audience of thousands to pay tribute to the songs and legacy of the legendary ‘singing Rabbi,’ Reb Shlomo Carlebach, of blessed memory.
Musicians from across the religious spectrum - some wearing the hats and frocks of traditional Hassidic garb, some dressed comfortably and colorfully, and many seeming to reach back in time to the fashions of the Bible – came together to continue the legacy of the late “dancing Rabbi” whose influence has spread from the hills of Judea and Samaria to Northern Tel Aviv to the study halls of B’nei Brak and Mea She’arim, as well as all over the world.
Each musician played three or four melodies composed by ‘Reb Shlomo’ – as he insisted on being referred to during his lifetime - infusing each tune with their unique style – Hassidic, modern Israeli, American jam-band, or the simple flute and guitar of the hilltops of Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza).
Many performers took the opportunity to say a few words. Some spoke about their relationship with the late Rabbi. Some offered prayers to God, and words of strength and comfort to the Jewish people during these hard times. Some reminded the crowd that, although every sector and denomination now openly accepts Reb Shlomo – even claiming that ‘he was from us’ – during his lifetime he was literally spat upon in many circles, his music forbidden and his way ridiculed. The crowd was reminded not to make the same mistakes today – failing to recognize the greatness of a fellow Jew until it’ too late.
Yehuda Katz, a student and close friend of Reb Shlomo, asked the massive crowd to quiet down for a few moments so he could say a few words. “Reb Shlomo was the sweetest most soft spoken person I’ve ever known,” said Katz. “The only time I saw him get angry is when someone would say something bad about the Jews and their right to all of the Land of Israel, and when someone would shut somebody else up and not allow them to be themselves.” Katz then raised his voice and beseeched the audience: “I know that both of these things force me cry out, demanding that Arutz-7 be brought back on the airwaves.”
Katz, who immigrated to Israel with his family in 1993, joined together with other new immigrants to form his current band, Reva L’Sheva – whose name refers to the fifteen minutes before the Sabbath which is a metaphor given for our current generation and its proximity to the redemption.
“Although there are many who carry in Reb Shlomo’s musical legacy, it was very comforting to hear a man who is carrying on Shlomo’s insistence on defending the honor of the Jewish people and our Land, as well,” said Miriam HaLevi, who attended Saturday night’s concert.
The observance of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s 9th memorial will take place with prayer, song and psalms at 2 PM Tuesday, November 11th at the Har HaMenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem.