Ep. 22: The Voice of a Chossid with Avraham Fried

I don't think it'll be an exaggeration to say that's what [music] keeps me going and that's what uh what keeps me alive. If it was a personal agenda, I might have peted out already, you know, okay, been there, you know, reached reached reached a certain level and time to retire. But, uh, I think it's safe to say that it's it's the the mission is gives me the and people still want to hear me sing. If you've been enjoying this podcast, please like and subscribe so that others can enjoy it as well. In addition, if you've benefited in any way from a monk podcast and would like to give something back, you can do so today at their.org/donate. I'm Yasi Cayman. Welcome to among an ongoing fabin about life as a vibrant connection with theb and inspired living shaped by the way he teaches us each and every day. This episode is dedicated for and shalom. How are you? >> Okay. Thank you so much for making the time out of your very busy schedule to to do this. >> Thank you for the invite. I made it to the deer. What what's left? >> Okay. I know you're a fan, so uh makes sense. >> Absolutely. >> Um so I think that's just a frame what this conversation about. I don't think you're new to talking to people and you know being out there but um we might focus on things that are not focused on on other conversations that you have with other people. >> Okay. >> So that's that's my intention. >> Good. Bring it on. >> Okay. So generally um this the podcast is called a monk and what we're really doing is talking to different from all different types and different stripes. in that I feel that you're very unique in the sense that you're >> and you're in a position >> exactly >> go on go on >> and uh you're you're in a position that other people are not so just in order to say maybe I'll ask you a question that has to do just in chronological order of your life just that that might make things simple how's that >> okay >> okay um so I obviously know that uh you you grew up here >> Crown Heights by the Rabba and um most people I mean you were born is it is it a secret what year you were born? >> What year? >> Yeah. >> Is it important? >> The the the decade. Just tell me the decade. >> Um I was born uh after the already just give in. >> Okay. So, >> okay. >> Um, so the kuffs, the llamas, I mean, this is uh this is something like that. So, this is um >> I mean it's it's I don't know if it's unique, but I don't know how many people here are around that grew up, you know, I think you grew up on President Street, right? >> Correct. That was Second Stop. >> That was Second Stop. >> Mhm. >> Um, so I'll tell you what I know and you can fill me in. >> Okay. I do know the first thing I know about you is that the building that you lived in 1418 144 President Street 1418 is the next one >> correct >> obviously that's a famous building because um the Rabbi's mother lived there and I believe there was some interaction maybe uh you can tell us tell me about it >> it's well known that we were neighbors with Rabbi's mother and we knew exactly when Dev would come every day to see his mother and I would stand outside and sing and Deb would do that to me. So that's the whole story. That's it. End of conversation. >> So you're talking about this was like a very often that this would happen. >> You probably Yeah. Not every day. I don't remember but it was it was often I had this to sing for in her house. >> So what was that? >> Um my mother would go visit sometimes. I don't know how that got arranged but and uh she would say to me uh zing zingus I guess she knew that my family is a singing family because she would hear this midas from our our apartment. >> So you lived in 1414 she lived in 1418 correct she could hear from in front >> she Yeah exactly when she was outside she would hear Shabas and she very much enjoyed um hearing this music so she knew that we were singing family and uh she would say to me sing. So I was told I don't remember exactly cuz I was 4 years old. So um I would sing from behind the curtain cuz I was uh a little bit shy. And uh she very much enjoyed that was my biggest sing. >> Do you remember what you sang? >> Let's see. I think it was Tanya or I'm not sure. [laughter] >> I probably what did I sing? I mean, you know, >> there's a few stories with the rabbit with the rabb's mother. >> Yeah. >> First of all, um I don't know if it's public, but there's there's a recording of that people say is her singing and gimm I think which are um >> her father's and others I think as well. And um there's a few stories like she would ask what teach she would ask she like I think she interacted with people a lot. >> Mhm. >> She would say she was on >> Yeah. That's what I understood. Yeah. >> Yeah. Then of course it's her braha that uh that accompanies me till this very day where she told Rabbi Weinberg that I'm not I don't know exact exact but he has a future in being >> really okay I didn't know that >> now you know >> okay so >> I know the whole story >> you heard about that uh or this is later >> I heard that from the daughter of Mendel Marov who was debased So she was standing and talking was standing and talking to Rabbi Weinberg Weineberg and she told him is that fence there is I think I think she called me and uh he he will have a a future. >> Wow. Okay. So it's from's mother. >> Correct. Um, was there something with um with Art Abbertson? >> All that I know is I was told that in the caram would play the cassettes for her in the car and she very much liked Tatanu obviously and uh the lyrics that I wrote about describing the that has to etc. And then he he told he printed it. It's written in a written in a book that one edash before she was singing this nigu. >> And that's one of your that's on one of the first albums. >> That's was on the third album. >> Third album. Okay. So, besides the singing, let's um I'm curious to first of all, I've noticed throughout the years I've been watching videos of the Reb. >> Yeah, that's nice. >> That um I see you not only by Fabian, but like sometimes uh in the weekday, you know, especially the later years and the B saying all the whole time you're you're part of the people. Am I correct that sometimes you stood like in the front near Kadesh? Is that is that something accurate that I think I remember? >> Could be. I didn't have a m kava during those. >> Yeah, those Yeah, but I think I saw you more than once in that spot. >> I mean, uh I I live in Crown Heights, you know. So, when that was in I was there, >> right? >> So, what's what's the but the Yeah. >> What's the um if every single person in Crown Heights was there by every single thing? >> Unless they were busy working. I mean, if there was a, you know, >> we'd get a beeper and we'd run to 770, >> right? And um you when you when you were a kid, you went to to where did you attend? >> Oh, my life. >> I understand that your family um didn't um like your father like didn't come from Labavage, right? No, my Zaha both zedas were not connected to kabad in any way in in in the in the in the uh coming to America my uh my father met the rashag actually in Tashkant I don't know how much of a bond they had but something clicked when my father came to my parents came to America the rashag offered him a job to come work inim on Bford Avenue Bford and Dean and uh he worked there for 45 years but he kept he kept his minhogim his his lavush his he was >> so I'm a combination of >> so my my question is your father like he he didn't consider he never officially made a switch it's just that he's he's here like how does that work >> well he he he was definitely aid but he didn't change his Uh, you know, um, but all his kids he gave to the Reb, >> right? So, >> the parents gave to the Reb. >> So, how did he decide to send his kids to to >> We'll have to ask him. [laughter] >> I'll try. >> Yeah. I think they tried for a year didn't work out and then Kabad became the permanent address. So the so there was there was no like transition just that the kids >> Yeah. pretty much >> took on pretty much everything. >> Yeah. >> And they all went to Ala. It's important. >> Um they all went to Ala >> even though your father worked in >> went to in the beginning. Yeah. Maybe then it moved over to the ocean. Ocean ocean. Where was it? Uh I'm not sure but it's all at the beginning for sure. And um yeah, >> right. [snorts] So my question for you is but like um being around 770 so it was something that you and your brothers acquired on your own like your father wasn't there every Februing and >> No. >> Yeah. >> No. Yes. This was a self-trained uh army. >> So how how old were you when you started doing that? >> I was I was already I was born into it. I had no no adjusting. >> So the Freeman brothers were just >> maybe at the beginning they had a little adjust but I didn't it didn't last too long. So it was a very easy adjustment. >> Right. >> It wasn't after like 10 years of being there that they moved over. It was like I think it was maybe a year that they tried in a different yeshiva and it didn't work. So that was it. It was a quick quick adjustment. Did your father have uh your like your parents had were they? >> Yeah. Yeah. Sure. >> Absolutely. >> Do you remember it? >> With me was my braitz. That was the one only that I had. >> What happened then? >> They have asked me about my pill and I got a little blit and he helped me out. He was very nice to me and uh that was that was the only I had but my other brothers and sisters they had and everything. >> Yeah. Mhm. So, um I think what uh what I noticed, you know, before we get to the the music part, let me just think um a little more. So, and you were here, you were in New York the whole time in >> Yeah. >> whatever. >> Yeah. Till till we went uh for two years to New Haven. It was already that was already >> in New Haven. >> Yeah. all the tail all the way through. >> So fine. So I I think that um what's I noticed um as someone growing up uh consuming some of your material >> consuming is a good word. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Consuming. Okay. >> Okay. >> Is that the wrong word? I don't know. >> That's a good word. It's a good word. Okay. >> So what I noticed is and I I read this also. What I noticed is that the themes especially of the early albums for sure specifically the Msiah themes but a lot of them for example the one you just mentioned about that that says that that is born to parents right these are things that the said hundreds of times and I feel like in your the messaging in your music, especially the English songs were very much connected to what the deba was speaking. >> I am very pleased to hear that you got that that you figured that out because I basically based all my songs on what I heard from the Reb. or myself. I mean the English or the Yiddish where I had a chance to say what I'm feeling not a uh basically what I heard from the Reb left behind was clearly from the you know [clears throat] the giant shoulders >> tattoo giant shoulders time is now um all these themes were things I heard from the basically my that was my uh go-to. So my question is, was that for you like a was that an intentional um thing? I guess the I guess the question is >> it's very intentional. >> Yeah, I guess the question how was it for you? I'm sure it wasn't simple for you. Um the it's it wasn't the typical yeshiva especially in those times things to do the the the sing the sing >> clearly that's why I changed my name. >> Was that hard for you? >> It was very hard. It was it was a uncharted territory. >> Well you started off in charted territory. Weren't you in a choir? >> Oh that was okay. That was kosher. That was fine. That was you know that was a lipker. All of our >> That's what me and you have in common that we were both in Alps choir. >> You were >> I made it probably the >> Yeah, probably the end of the year. >> Oh, look at that. >> We can say we were lips choir. >> I told I told to my kids myself and Freed were choir. >> I like that. So you're a B. You're a Baggin something. I hope so. Maybe. >> Okay, good. Good. >> When I was in Lipker, they were only sing only sing >> only. You too also for all these albums that he made. >> My f my my favorite. >> What's that record? There's a solo of you. >> My favorite solo that was in Minnesota. >> But there's another solo of you. Is that Lipk? What what choir is that? >> On on his albums that had solos, >> right? And that's not >> No, but those are his songs. >> Oh, so he he made he composed that song. >> He composed a lot of songs. >> Really? >> Those are his songs. I think the two three albums that he put out his songs. We had a lot of songs. Had some good songs. >> So that's separate from the choir. >> That was the choir was concerts concerts. That was all. >> Right. That's right. >> The albums were his songs. Two separate. >> And you were a soloist on that. >> I was discovered me. >> I didn't realize that he composed those songs. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, and then some of the songs we sing are songs that he sing on like we sing him. Yeah, that's him. Yeah, >> that's how that's how I learned the song. >> There's a lot of to that. >> Yeah. >> So like I have I do the ali. He's a good mocker. >> You know you know the story with him at the >> What was the he he he you weren't the first one in Labavich. Um the way I heard the story was that he was basically >> Yeah. Yeah. Remind me. I guess >> he he was he was leaving. He's from >> right to to learn, right? You can't uh that he was leaving Seder and going to get music lessons >> like paid for it. >> Yeah. Then I think for for not not singing for >> whichever whichever instrument he was playing >> and then found they want to throw him out >> and I don't know exactly the context those years had every every month was then the said to not not only not to throw him out the asked how is he paying for it and then the no it's not it's not sorry I'm I'm amazed. >> Yeah. Yeah. Then the Neba paid for the for the music lessons. >> He's another good example >> of a guy that I mean he's not like he's not right. Okay. You mentioned him before. Um I mean he's he's right. But what do you mean he's who's making the who's doing the choir? Who's doing the who's playing by every who's playing by every rally? >> Yeah. >> Did you sing? Did you sing in front of the deb? >> Only as a little kid coming to visit his mother. >> Never. Never in the later years. No, never worked out. >> But um although I saw a picture of youing when that when the when Rosenberg had the sil the choir. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You're you're getting that that time. >> Believe. I believe >> I I went every time to get >> um I have a video actually of me getting the bottle. >> Yeah. >> The whole like >> I have a clear video of it. >> I think that's when the I think that's when I think it was that one. >> Tatka is another >> Tatus is another guy. Mhm. >> another another and that the Reb wanted to singba asked as >> the violin player who told to play. Lookb was very asked to sing not they wanted the Russian wanted and the said those three um those three. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I read somewhere that >> never had a such a brilliant approach to things was I mean imagine squashing a liker added so much so much toad he has a whole series of he plays on the piano and he sang the whole from the notes >> the whole he did the whole thing I >> think so yeah that's what and that's what it is it's the whole he saying >> what a treasure >> among is brought to you by we live in a chaotic [music] world a world where for We do not have the ability to hear and see the on a daily basis. Yet we know that the is very much with us and is alive and thriving more than ever before. One needs to only tap into it. Provides you and your family with the tools necessary to tap into all of this. Whether it's the monthly magazine, the way it all began, whether it's their hair books, their hair online content, and so much more, men, women, and children throughout the world benefit and use these tools on a daily basis. 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Enjoy the rest of the podcast. >> Um, yeah, but as I, you know, got older, there was singing was not the very popular thing to do. bail and a choir is one thing but to be a solo singer was and uh but somehow someway I decided to go ahead with it they gave me this mashova and uh that's why I changed from freedman to freed so nobody should know cuz I never wanted to be in this gala I wanted to be a a tadik nister you know >> and for a few months no one knew who this who is this guy freed who zinger and I had to reveal my true identity and but the name was Mat so I I stuck with it >> one second but before that you were besides Ali Lipkar I know of another thing that you did in >> you're on >> that's true I was in the choir for many years and that doing those uh but I was at one solo >> maybe you could tell me a little bit about what it was to record >> you know I I don't have that much of a recollection there was you know some adult choir And we went into a studio and we sang. >> Who was doing it? >> I don't remember. Was it Silvermans? I don't remember who he was even conducting. >> I don't remember. >> But who who was the labeer that was wasky was it was involved in Ellie Lipker. Those were the two I think uh those were the two. But you remind me of a cute story I heard from Velv Past. He was also he was conducting some of the choirs, some of some of the albums. And uh he writes in his book that um he was telling Zamov that on this and this day we're going to go into studio with the younger light we're going to record and I'm the conductor you watch me when we sing I show you when we when we start when we finish when we pause when we breathe smiled and said I'm very happy to hear that you're going to conduct us but don't take it to heart but when you're going to be conducting not looking at you won't be looking at you he says why not say we sing we sing with our eyes closed [laughter] choir >> conductor conductor >> you heard this from him >> he writes it in his book yeah >> I saw some other [clears throat] write up he has a book okay I I saw a write up from him >> there's a whole write up of I think it's a transcript of a talk that he gave >> he describes different things like this >> I think one of I think the first time they recorded uh they're about to start. It's like you can't start pulled out. >> Even better. Good. Even better. So, you're dealing with real professional choirs, >> right? Conductor, conductor. Um, I could I could probably venture a guess that as when you hear the recordings, you hear that they're singing with their eyes closed because you know it's not this professional tight and then you know so so perfect. That's what we had to grow up with. >> Yeah, >> that's what we had. I was to put out four albums after that but that was based on the >> the concept. I heard that from you know the branch day in from >> you want to hear an interesting story. A year or two ago, I was invited to Rashas in Williamsburg and uh the guy from the choir says to me people like [snorts] said it's very I said what? That was the best compliment I ever got. >> Yeah. said that's pretty amazing. They introduced you said see this guy he sings it at every so it's not anymore is not >> he said he wants they want they love what could be better that was really old news >> that's amazing >> okay >> took time it took time for these songs to get but Now on the top in my concerts I always put in the medley place gets up. It's just as something holy and and >> you see is that when people play other whatever other songs you know the crowds like to have only and others don't they always have a niggan in there and you can see it's a different vibe. >> I agree. once told me what's the difference between and not this is not written anywhere but you see it [snorts] >> that or maybe make you uh want to dance with yourself make you want to dance with other people >> that's good I like that >> and you can actually see that like like I've since he told me that I've watched that see like like they're seeing all the the modern songs it's very hard to dance with other people and then you're going to like >> I like that >> that you you get into a circle your hand in the shoulders or whatever it is. >> I like that. I once gave a hakda that some music is for your body the you know the proto music and some music you feel that the >> it's touching your soul but this is a good um that's a >> I have to ask him if he is a muker for such a thing or this is his sociological >> is the mucker if it works then that's you know but do they have as the best muker >> maybe I'm jumping around but I'm I'm going to remember what I was holding >> so you did four albums Right. In my estimation, you >> have to do more. Yeah. >> Okay. In my in my estimation because I remember when you came out with them. I feel I mean today everyone sings all >> I feel that part of what popularized them in the belt was your albums. Is that is that something you >> I love hearing that. That's best compliment. >> Okay. Good. So, so this ties into what we were holding. So, I believe side with the inside and side with the messaging in your singing once you were doing it. Maybe you were uncomfortable starting, but you did it. But I think that you knows that everything's and everything like that. And I really feel like you took that to heart and that was part of the the mission. Um I don't think it'll be an exaggeration to say that's what keeps me going that is and that's what uh what keeps me alive. If it was a personal agenda, I might have peted out already, you know, okay, been there, you know, reached reached reached a certain level and time to retire. But, uh, I think it's safe to say that it's it's the the mission the gives me the kayak and people still want to hear me sing. >> So, how do you today? So I mean then you were doing the live messaging from from how do you feel like today you're being I guess there's two crowds there's and in the last few years you've been very involved with people outside of the that are not yet mitzvah you're also dealing with other kaizen in the film >> in the duets the Israeli duets >> like how how is that what are the two >> it's part of it it's all part of it to you know bridge the gap through music with others than myself uh which has worked wonderfully byem. Um look whatever we have from the is we have it you know so we have his guidelines we have his um feelings about subjects how he thinks about things what his take is what his so uh we have enough material to to keep going at basia >> mhm >> what are the topics today same topics still still screaming at masai Mashiach is still a popular topic although it's becoming a little more painful about um you know what's taking so long. >> You're saying when you came out with the time is now. >> Yeah. It was very >> that was supposed to be the last album. >> That's it. Exactly. No Jew. Why? Why the time is even? No Jew. We're talking already 45 years later. Kimat. It's a long time to scream about Mai. But uh we'll continue till we bring the house down. >> Right. No, I'm I'm saying even for myself as um in my house there wasn't only in I have to admit there's actually a story. I don't know if I'm allowed to say stories from people without getting the details right without asking them first, but I know Rabi Darren um who we had on the podcast a few episodes ago. >> Nice. >> Um and I hope I get corrected if I'm saying it wrong, but apparently Raikov told him or maybe he told his wife, I don't I have to find out a happy house. So he recommended what one of the ways to do that is to play music in the house and [snorts] he said >> oh really that's >> so I asked him I asked son Yasi what did you so what what was it David that's what that's what it was >> beautiful >> so I'm saying that as a as a kid so I grew up you know I was born before gumas but in my formative years afterwards. So the whole the way the Reb was talking about Msiah was >> Yeah. But it's also it's also was you know fresh fresh in people's minds. >> Part of the way I was exposed to that in my personal experience was through listening to that's what I had in the house. All all those all those albums that you're talking about. >> It's funny because when I >> my mother didn't like the musical arrangements on the time is now. Oh yeah. But but the uh >> you have you have to interview her. What's your question? Didn't like it. >> I don't know. [snorts] Um it's funny because when I give a to I'll say to them your house should be filled with you know and good music very important >> right >> so um is is a wonderful uh ingredient the beats being in the house that's for sure >> right and I did see that there were some um from the to to your actual career. Like I I last night >> I was uh I went on Jem's uh website >> on the living [snorts] archive for all the photos and I saw a picture of you which I never saw before >> handing the the album. A cassette. >> The cassette. Yeah. The tape. Yeah. [snorts] Do you remember what the Reba said then? It looks like you're saying something to the >> I probably have it written down somewhere. I'm actually surprised I I spoke cuz I never I never said a word to the Reba. But I guess someone someone encouraged me to give the Reba the new cassette and say this is the new uh the new album. What he said about I don't I have to look up. I I have a lot of answers from the Reb. >> You do? >> Mhm. >> About what? >> What can you share? >> The trips whether it was we're talking now in >> Mhm. The Reb told me once when I had concerts in I notified the Reb said translates >> surely you will mention at every concert the idea the concept of the king is in the field in the month of says in in >> so that you wrote to theb like your itinerary you're doing this you're doing that coming out the album >> every step of the way >> and what what other answers >> before and after I have a lot of different >> I should have I should have asked to bring them with you >> different answers so was his here's an example so gave me >> to mention the last the last few weeks wherever I've been in London and in Australia was on the uh on the program >> so I I assumed that these type of things that you do was something that you took on as a past to do. I didn't realize that you actually have from the doing these things. >> The pushka the pushka is another. >> So what is it once gave me a dollar and said to me uh I told they had a a job that night and this is before you sing and then another dollar. second dollar to give after the concert as a thank you to Hashem for the so for the last 30 plus years I traveled with a pushka I'm not sure how many years I started doing it on stage I would do it you know offstage before and after it wasn't hij to do it on stage but I [snorts] think someone said to me you know what why don't you do it in public let people see that you're doing uh you know you're connected to Hashem before and after each concert saying thank you and so now thank you Hashem is very popular thanks to the thank Thank you Hashem guys. But the was thank you with a mitzvah >> right? >> It wasn't just saying thank you Hashem. It was thank you Hashem with a mashi with giving saddaka and uh people know that ped comes to a concert with a yellow pushka. It's like my uh you know gave me this this unique u privilege approach. >> Mhm. So uh the Reba found a way to take a a young a young Bakar at the time I started when I was a Bakar and find ways to keep me connected to him whether it was the first that I got from the on the first album was to print on it not to play in Shabas and that was very important to him. So already he found the first uh first way to give me give me a I remember I cried when I first got the answer because I said the took from his time to answer a young bach is putting out a an album you know busy with other things that took the time to answer me and he answered me a lot of times since then and um actually have an interesting story. So sometimes before going on a on a long tour on a trip besides going to the like on the airplane I'll send a a request for a I'm on the plane now I'm heading out on a long trip like a long trip a long trip and give me a sign that you're that you're with me and you're benching me and this is going to be good and uh I'll usually add a little in the that how am I going to know if I had a sign from the reba if someone on this trip tells me a story about you this will be the best decim so my first stop was in London was mitzvah in London and uh mitzvah people were leaving on the way out okay I figured okay nothing happened on this particular night next night or whatever the other the other trips it's not a long trip to be on the On the way out, one guy comes over to me, very well-dressed guy, and he says to me, "Oh, Mr. Freed, I'm going to tell you something. You know that I don't look like a right? But I want you to know that sometimes I'll get on a plane, I'll fly to JFK, I'll go to the oil and fly right back to London. See, I don't look like aid, but I go to I come right back. I don't even go out of the, you know, out of the Oh, then he says, I have a story for you." [snorts] I said, "Yeah, what story?" And he says, "My father is a businessman, travels a lot, and recently he was on a flight and the turbulence pushet scared the wits out of it because it was severe, severe turbulence, and he was like really really scared and his glasses fell down and he puts his hand under the seat to get his glasses and he feels something under his seat. Pulls it out. It's a picture of the Reb on it. Now they give it at the airport. >> Airport. Yeah. >> So when he when he found under his seat on a luanza flight someplace over Europe a picture of the Reb under his seat and it calmed him down and they landed safely. They survived but he that that picture calmed him down. That story he tells me. I gave him a big hug and I said thank you very much for sharing this story. I said Reb is with me. Amazing story. >> Yeah. >> Under his seat on a plane to find a card of pillar. So, I got my sign. It's happened a few times. So, we know that we're connected. >> Yeah. >> And um yeah, that's very that's very special that you're connecting uh every every trip with with the >> you got to stay connected. And um I know also you did certain things like um part of the inavich in a certain period was uh was after the fall of communism and I know you did a a bunch of concerts over there and uh >> yeah that was a yeah that was a very memorable um couple of concerts there uh and Lav V and in and in Minsk and Pinsk I think and uh I remember singing for a little kid from Pryich with Comet Alf. Oh some good memories and uh is very special. I'm going to Russia you know it was like it was like neesh going to to >> what year is he talking about like >> yeah yeah yeah I think the early nuns I think. Yeah. And um by the way now I have an um that I'm on recently this young man in Florida came out with a story that happened with him you know the Lithowski from Florida. >> Yeah. Yeah I saw that. Yeah. >> He came from Russia what his mother as a little boy and then he grew older and he would come to for dollars and for bringing his and then he stopped coming because he got a job in construction and he was always so dirty. He didn't feel it. One time he came Sunday and uh Reb gives him the dollar and he says, "Oh, um and he says to the Reb, I guess I meant I I live in this. I live here. I'm in the neighborhood." The said, "Why don't you come?" So he said, "I can't come. you know, uh, I have a a job in construction. My my my clothes are dirty. I can't come. Reb looked at him and said, I saw the story. Come as you are, but just come. And the story gave me such a such an amazing line. Like I mean, we know that the Reb looks past our exterior, but to hear from the Reb, it's like it's such a hopeful line. like we know you're not perfect, but I want to see you anyway. I I I relish. I I enjoy just seeing you. I can look past your shortcomings. >> [snorts] >> So when I told when I read the story on the spot is manga found it to of I beast [singing] and uh tells me that this this is making waves all over the world giving people that we know you're not perfect but come anyway. Hashem wants to see us. The Reb wants to see us. And it's just a beautiful message. >> So why is this why is this story? Why? >> I guess I think it touched everybody. I think everybody you can't help but be touched with such a story because it it it's so it's so um what's the right word? It's um it's so hopeful. It's so positive. It's so beautiful that don't you want to try to be perfect, try, but till you get there, don't let that hold you back. Don't let your exterior or your even even spiritual shortcomings hold you back because deep down you're good. >> I think that's connected >> deep down you're a good guy. I think it's connected to what you said about the first answer you got from the Reb about >> I think I think what you said was that it was like a a showed >> you what you're doing between the lines I'm reading you were questioning about what you're doing >> and the was saying uh okay you're you're you're part you're part of this we're going to give you a job And uh >> yeah, the the hero were were um so I mean first of all the connection the connection that you know keeps you connected but this idea of of that always found positive in everything those that was that was but for a young guy to was going into singing at that time singing was not so popular I was still a bach yeshiva [sighs and gasps] shocking and uh never found a way didn't What? What are you doing? Sit in Leen, you know. And then for years and years and years and years before every concert, after concert albums, what I'm doing, what I'm singing about, what's the theme, what the what songs? And um I have from the dollars, Australian dollars, British dollars, Israeli shekels. that would send out I was notified the I'm heading out on a trip and he would send out the currency where where I was going. >> That happened often. I have I have a pack of uh yeah >> okay so >> she and >> I'm glad we're having this conversation because these are all for me at least I don't know for others they're heading >> so it's that to me that's really a literally in every in all your in all your inas it's like a >> yes very humbling >> absolutely >> so I I did notice so Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I noticed throughout from different I don't know if we're allowed to say this, but there are other singers also. And I've not >> That's a Yeah. >> And I've noticed that there's it has a place by the Reb this concept of the hashb that singers have whether it's [snorts] the gave to David or the the pimementas. I mean the pimementas have a whole long answer from the about music which is printed in and [snorts] if you with David I don't know if I'm allowed to say this but I feel like it's sometimes it's a little more begully because you're you're coming as and doesn't make any noise in front of the but you say there's more he's talking and is answering and you see that is really >> the the whole I think believes in so if you have a gift that's clear if you can use it for you know to bring even closer inspire them with your matana of course he was for it absolutely >> right um so today um the what is this whole thing that I I see that you're interacting with other people, other singers that are not imitating mitzvah and it looks to me like the way you're doing it is um besides just singing with them and collaborating with them, it's it's also there's a that's being accomplished. >> No question. This is mostly ner where we have a lot of concerts there and um my my good friends out there my my my team out there came up with this idea that instead of having another singer at your concerts what would be the kadesh let's get some Israeli singers and maybe those who not even you know mitzvah and um the reaction has been amazing people are telling me what's and then of course the the last one was with a geffen who was a total coming from the other side totally and uh people said what a great keshm it's I think that's the of that uh it you know it brings people together if you sing together then you could at least have a opening to start talking together and um clearly they're inspired they come they see the it's it's um I think it's very inspiring for them. I think it reminds them of, you know, who they really are. And some place deep down last year, I met a guy in Los Angeles. He said to me, "Your song, Yakov, I met I broke off was very much in love with and I broke it off. Now I'm married to a Jewish girl because of that song." >> Really? CL >> it's amazing >> like he heard it or that song heard clinked >> he heard it and uh was it wasn't easy we were we were ready to get married >> at um I want to go backwards to 770 backwards in time >> so I think this is going to be released after tish But the the listeners and the viewers are going to have to forgive me because I'm holding. >> Okay. >> And um um is there something that you want to share um from with whether it's or it's a specific event or something that you want to share? What can I share with you about um right have the stroke >> the heart attack heart attack. So my place was up against the misra wall. So I could see the reb from from the side, right? The reb would stand facing miz and I would >> see mizra on the other side of the kadesh. >> Yes, I was on top of the kadesh. >> Okay. So I was on to something. I told you before I saw in the videos on top. >> Ah. >> No, but I saw something in the front is I stood at the other side of on the left side up on the bleaches on the other side. might have >> you. Oh, and the bleachers, the big bleachers, >> right? >> Mhm. >> So during I'm looking at the obviously I'm looking and uh it was during a break know during one of the they were being mab for for and um I said to the guy behind me, the Reb looks so white. Look at the Reb's face. He's so pale. That's when the whole thing happened. Reba sat down. The whole balagan broke loose. They started screaming for everybody out of sh. They have to break the windows. Reba needs ear. Get out of sh. Get out of sh. So I ran out of shul. And I ran around the back of 770. The windows were were still there. Colorful windows. And um I think that too the windows were broken. I peeked out through the window. Deb was walking out of the shaw. He's holding his sitter. There was some some people still in the shul who did not leave the shaw even though they were told to leave. And the they were singing. >> They were the whatever. And Reb was making with his hand. But down here didn't raise up his hand. He was was making with his hand to this song even though he was experiencing what he was experiencing as we know that it was a severe heart attack. But he was making with his hand down couldn't. So I that I remember clearly and then the next day some 30 30 of us decided >> that was some that was a different one >> a different group >> different group >> I think went that night maybe >> maybe we went the next day next night we went for Queens so you're talking about second the next night the next night by day like time. >> Yeah. >> You walked to the Yeah. >> First we walked Rabbi to do our office. >> Then we walked from there to the oil. I was the only coen in the uh today there, you know, it was it was locked. The gate was locked. It wasn't like today open all the time. So uh we all climbed over the gate. I was the last one in. So I climbed into the circle, jumped into a circle. We walked to to the oil and we davened and we walked back. It was a very long walk. >> I did it once. >> The belt parkway is endless when you walk in it. >> I once walked it. Took me 4 hours. >> Oh, okay. I remember coming coming to East Parkway. Some of the guys had to stop by every bench. They sat down at every bench cuz their feet were swollen and it was and then as we got closer we started running to what's going on. And then the first report we got was Reb's was feeling better and said something. >> I think that was after something. The singing the singing is giving uh >> Oh yeah. >> The singing singing is giving giving >> because there was a announcers usually at the end of the This is in the morning. You >> told me in the morning in the morning as we came back people dancing in the sh. Mhm. >> So I think label said that the music the singing is giving gizont something like that. So we felt better that we got good viewport after our walk to the oil and um I think somebody clocked it after that like with 20 or 30 miles we walked something like that. But uh so that was a memorable sim. What else? I remember one time I was I decided to be brave and stand in the in the washing machine or in the dryer right right in front of the beam of >> usually I'm up on bleachers and I I'm going to try to stand down there. That was the you the smoke coming up from the crowd. You first of all you couldn't put you sit out like this to say to say anything because there's no room. So you're like sitting like this and the steam was coming up. It was like it was it was like a being in a in a dryer. I survived and uh was was um heavenly amazing. I understand that even even there's other shors in Crown Heights at Davin and um what whether they shouldn't close or whatever because people lived there but I think everyone all these would stop and everyone came to 77. >> Yes. Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. What else? Um I mean I could mention to you that uh it was I walked by the to get it usually takes a second, you know. And I got my and I'm ready to move on. And I see some I thought I saw the Reb's hand something moving in my direction. I look back and the Reb is standing with a bottle and for a moment I I froze. I said, "Reb you sure this is for me?" I didn't say a word but took a second you sure this is for me didn't take it back and he gave me the bottle. That too to this day gives me tremendous that uh >> usually the gives. Yeah. So that was my my moment of >> without saying. >> And you were a bak then right? >> I was a bak I [snorts] remember walking away and I was like what they gave me a bottle. I was like blown away. >> Didn't say a word. Didn't say a word. Nothing, not a word. But I took it to me. It was so gave me a bottle. Every concert is a hakil. So take it, you know, and I took it to every concert. I gave it out to people. >> I feel like is like the beginning when you took off, right? Is that accurate? >> Took off. What do you mean? >> I'm saying like the concerts and uh it's around that time. >> I started me along. So um it was already a couple years that I was singing but anything particular happened in me that took off any but that was that was a moment that of course I cherish to this day they're giving me a bottle. [snorts] >> That's pretty amazing. So um so what's the message for uh those I mean there's many people that are and everything like that but there are those that are not and have a different um profession. what's the message that you have based on what you what you experience from the you know and utilizing it for as a like what is the >> I don't I'm not following your question >> saying what what is something that what is the this message that the was giving you that battle no in general to to utilize your >> um for to to to fulfill the the the of >> Yeah. >> What What's your message for other people that are in >> Everyone has a talent. Everyone has a talent. As we know the famous saying, if you could teach olive, teach olive. Everyone has a talent. And don't don't play humble that I'm not so talented. I don't have what to offer. Everyone has a talent. Everyone has a gift that you could use to be mad. Whatever that might be, you know what you have. And use it. Use it. Don't don't squander your gift. I happen to have a a gift that that's that's global. So, uh Okay. So, uh that's why I'm talking to you cuz I'm I'm a global uh I'm a global guy, but every every teacher who's not on a global level has, you know, the great to teach and be mad and inspire, you know, that that's you use your talent. even though you might not be getting interviewed under their hair on a podcast, but uh do what you got to do. You have a talent, use it. Use it. Otherwise, it's just squandering ashk. >> Okay. Um I had a question that uh I guess it's more trivial, but uh I heard it's connected to the rabbit. Is your is your song. Was that connected to the That's not true. >> No. >> Okay. I need to get that out of the way. >> No, no. >> Cuz I met I once met David and I asked him if uh everyone says the rashi his song about rashi is something that they hear from the he told me also that that's not accurate. >> Okay, good. Could you verify this stuff cuz [clears throat] >> yeah know okay and and you said you're saying that there's plans to do more >> also another thing that I um another connection with with and you're singing is that the recording of capital God is also done by you. >> Yes. Yeah. That was way back. That was way back. Yeah. I had to be part of that for a while. Then I decided to retire from that. Uh >> Oh, you did a few. >> No, I was I was of choosing and uh yeah, it didn't last too long. >> But I did I did get to do God. >> Yeah, I remember the whole year we sang that that was our first of the fangans the capital that was chosen. That was the song for the whole year >> until I think from the base. >> Some songs were better than others. You know, they're about to sit, you know, go go through. That was it. I think later in the base I think it changed to like the gula. >> Yeah. I mean the early years when taleski would take old and put it to the those are very popular till today. Those are very popular and you know all these they worked. Yeah they worked was a good he was he was he was a good chhat. >> He's the one that always did it. I think so. >> Interesting. >> He's the one. I think he's always doing He's always doing >> Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. >> I spent some time with him, too. >> Yeah. >> He used to drive me to drive me. He used to make a minion, >> right? >> I was one of the boys that would uh >> that would go every day to make a minion. >> Nice. Good for you. Flappush. >> So this >> Yeah. >> Nice. That and then uh now it's already a popular area but back then back then it was you know uncharted territory for uh for right was there. Exactly. >> It was the Yeah. and uh I remember Rosenfeld my principal Rosenfeld was not my age quite older than me >> yeah but I I have memories of who were nice to me and who didn't say a word to me but those who did made a very warm impression you know in my heart. Rosenfeld was one of them. He would call me from time to time and he would say, "Areo, you're making it famous in the whole world. Keep it up. Keep it up. Keep it up." I have very very few pictures in my office of performances [snorts] or or people. I don't I don't I don't put that on the walls or I have a few pictures of Elidim who weren't kind to me. One is Rosevelt giving me a big big hug and a kush at one of the dinners or something. And then another picture of the um and I forget his name >> with Rabbi Guerrari after he he would come to my concerts. He was in his 90s. He was a big fan. He would come to my concerts. >> We just had a picture of him in deer. There was Oh, yeah. He wrote an article about um Mitch Kogan. >> So in there we had we had a picture of the M in Russia before he came here. >> Nice. So there's a picture of him kissing my hand after a concert. Those are two I have in my hanging in my office was nice to me. He would say Tanya that mean it means for a young ber say I listen to your music precious priceless then those who didn't didn't acknowledge or say a word to me but those who did >> from what I from what I've heard of the menas sounds uh sounds right >> I think he had >> very very Um Tanya Tanya um yeah so these are people who made an impression even though they were much older mentioned so Rosenfeld it's nice to be acknowledged by an elder statesman >> yeah who are your who are the teachers then in >> my teachers was writes this is the beginning >> oh much much later >> I'm a little younger than you few years of angle. Yeah. Because he taught for many many years. Then he moved to Pittsburgh, right? He moved >> I don't think he's alive. >> No, I understand. But he >> Oh, afterwards. Yeah, maybe. >> Um, Rabbi Rabbi Vashetski, Rabbi uh all all the freedom was already in the zoinorf. Then um and then Aal Rab Majeski came along or Majeski rather from the younger >> he was the younger Mashim. >> The younger Mashim started started by Galitzki. Yeah. Yeah. I mean you know the uh >> Yeah. The cream of the crop. >> Yeah. All right. So I think uh people will have ho >> I hope so >> from uh from this conversation. the best. That's the best inspiration. >> I I you know that I don't know one of the camps this summer I think on Detroit made a camp song about it as well. >> Oh yeah. >> So it's entering multiple >> good good >> forms of >> good you have something to do with that. >> I hope so. I hope so. >> All right. And I guess we can say you were able to do it for a very long time and uh I for one when I was at an event uh one of the mistas made an event that you were singing at I was very I was blown away by the fact that uh your voice is aging like fine wine. So uh >> but um the to keep singing for many many more years but but the uh the subject the attitude should change that should be part of your braha. Instead of singing about masai we should be singing about finally the the the text should change >> and you even have a song already. >> I'm ready for we're ready ready to roll. >> Ready to ready to go. >> It should be taken from Amen. And You're you're you're right because and and okay. [clears throat] So you should have your Amen. Amen.