By Yochanan Gordon
In last week’s column, “The Antidote to Exiled Speech,” I had decided to write about the absence of words as it relates to the Egyptian Exile, which has been defined as an inability to communicate effectively. However, that describes a weakness in the speaker rather than in the ability of the words themselves. I didn’t intend for this topic to be addressed for more than one week, but then I found myself at HASC 38 in the NJPAC in Newark, NJ, and the theme for the evening that was emblazoned on the cover of the Playbill were the words, “Beyond Words.” Beyond Words describes not necessarily a person’s inability to describe an experience but rather the inability of the words themselves to capture the true magnificence of an experience.
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.
Avraham Fried sang “No Jew Will Be Left Behind” and “Dido Bey” together with a piano appearance by concerto pianist and HASC throwback, Yaron Gershovsky on “Lamah Hashem” followed by Chabad hits “Hu Elokeinu,” “Ki Anu Amecha,” and concluding with “Utzu Aitzah” and “Hoshea Es Amecha.”
Israeli singer, songwriter, and actor Shuli Rand was introduced to the HASC stage to sing his hits “Ayekah,” “Oker Harim,” and “If I Were a Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof.
Shlomo Gaisin and Zach Goldschmiedt of Zushe hit the stage with Zach as the DJ getting the HASC audience to its feet singing and dancing to brighter, shining faces on the hits, “Don’t Leave Me on My Own,” “World to Come,” and “Same Love.”
At that point the HASC Concert choir led by Meir Popowitz and the J Tunes Singers introduced Oshi Jungreis, a HASC Camper who celebrated his bar mitzvah in camp this past summer, together with his father and famed Zaide, the Nikolsburger Rebbe, who sang and danced to “Every Yid’s a Big Tzaddik.”
Avraham Fried, Rivie Schwebel, and Benny Friedman performed a tribute to the late, legendary choirmaster and composer of the London School of Jewish Song, singing his timeless hits such as “Ashirah Lahashem Bechayai,” “Kan Tzipor,” “Be’ein Melitz Yosher,” “Mareh Kohen” and “Rochel Mevakah.”
Yonatan Razel was introduced to play and sing his worldwide hit “Katonti” and “Mimkomcha,” followed by “Eit Milchama” and the Eitan Katz hit “Ein Shum Ye’ush.”
Yaakov Shwekey headlined the concert singing “United We Stand,” “Guf Uneshama” and “Galgalim.”
Camp HASC was founded in 1979 by Rabbi Moshe Kahan and his wife Blanche and is co-directed by their son, Shmiel Kahan and Rabbi Judah Mischel, administered by Chaya Miller, and run by a dedicated staff who invest body and soul to making Camp HASC the happiest place on earth, providing an unforgettable summer experience for the campers while providing a much-needed respite for the parents of these extraordinary children who are able to rest assured that every aspect of their kids’ well-being is being taken care of.
The Kahans sensed a need and acted selflessly on it in founding this incredible camp. There’s no way to know for sure, but I believe that if they could see how their dream grew and evolved, they would truly be at a loss for words.
Yochanan Gordon can be reached at ygordon@5tjt.com.
