By Yochanan Gordon
Reb Chaim Brisker famously quipped, “Az iz felt in hasbarah felt in havana,” which means anything that cannot be articulated is not sufficiently understood. However, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook contrarily quipped that there are certain experiences or ideas that language falls short of being able to articulate. As such, there are experiences that are too large to be conveyed within limited speech.
If “Beyond Words” is the name and spirit of the HASC 38 concert, as envisioned by its creative directors, it behooves us to seek the true meaning and intent behind those words. My first impression was that the HASC concert had achieved a certain sense of timeliness that runs hand-in-hand with it being “beyond words.” Words are effective only within a certain time and space. Words create structures that are by their nature defined and limited. A cursory glance at the last 38 years of HASC concerts and a quick run-down of this year’s lineup and the people who occupied the sold-out NJPAC in Newark, NJ this past Sunday evening will allow you to easily conclude that there is, in fact, something timeless about the HASC concert.
Avraham Fried, Rivie Schwebel, and Yaakov Shwekey are artists who have been featured repeatedly on the HASC stage. In fact, Avraham Fried reminisced last night about being featured at the very first HASC concert and again this year, almost four decades later. They were joined this year by Benny Friedman, Eli Schwebel, Yonatan Razel, Zusha, and Shuli Rand. Right there we have a confluence of cultures, musical genres, and a seamless meeting of past and future on the present stage.
The concert was attended by people who have been fixtures in the HASC theatres for decades and who have given generously of their resources to support the amazing, life-saving, and world-building work that the people at Camp HASC have done year after year for over fifty years, shoulder-to-shoulder with their children and grandchildren who represent the today and tomorrow of HASC’s benefactors. There were rabbis in attendance; I spotted Chazzan Nissim Saal in the crowd at the pre-concert dinner as well as Davidi Crombie, who is himself an accomplished concert producer and is part of the magic behind Ishay Ribo’s NY Tours. There were professionals and laypeople alike who contributed to the undefinable HASC experience
However, beyond developing a musical repertoire that speaks to young and old alike, there is a need to bring the HASC production technologically into the 21st Century, which Shloime Steinmetz and the team at the Pivot Group succeeded in doing again—this year, beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.
The lighting and the cutting edge videographic production brought a contemporary feel to the overall experience that could compete with any theatrical production. This led to a video of a boy walking through the city who ends up on stage conducting the opening overture. The evening was hosted by Nochum Segal, whose presence is part and parcel of the HASC experience. Singer-songwriter and musical impresario, Eli Schwebel opened the concert with an exhilarating rendition of “This Is We,” describing the inner turmoil that festers in the hearts of children with disabilities, but at the same time, the courage and the resolve that enables them to live life with joy, excitement, and purpose.
Eli was joined on stage with his father Rivie of Dveykus fame and together they performed “Habeit” and “In a Vinkele,” both famous Abie Rottenberg tunes. The first song, “Habeit,” was written specifically for the HASC stage and “In a Vinkele,” which aptly describes the experience of many parents and spouses of our young and brave IDF soldiers whose loved ones have put everything on the line to protect our homeland since October 7th, a day that will live in infamy in the hearts and minds of Jews and all good people the world over. They concluded with “Uvnei,” also by Abie Rottenberg, a lively and spirited song that expresses hopeful anticipation for the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash and the coming of Moshiach.
Benny Friedman came out singing his new song: “Thinkin’ About Thankin,” which he performed together with a group of dancers dressed as construction workers, adding a new dimension to the performance. Benny was joined on stage by Eli Schwebel to perform, “Who Am I,” “Candles,” and A Small Piece of Heaven,” which brought down the house.
Benny Friedman remained on stage and sang the worldwide viral tune originally performed by Sasson Ifram Shaulov and produced by Eli Keshet and Shai Reuven: “Tamid Oheiv Oti” in French, Spanish, Klezmer, and Israeli musical styles.
Yochanan Gordon can be reached at ygordon@5tjt.com.
