Then And Now

 These are the songs of days and years and decades gone by. Songs by iconic composers like Rabbis Shlomo Carlebach and Baruch Chait. Tunes that have stood the test of time and still sound so fresh and appealing that it appears they have transcended time and space and never seem to grow old

Back in the early ’60s, longtime Five Towns resident Yussi Sonnenblick lived with his family in Laurelton, Queens while attending the relatively new Yeshiva of South Shore. He was immediately recognized as a boy wonder with a captivating voice and a natural stage presence.

His first albums were recorded with Ben Zion Shenker, a musical star in his own right in the Chassidishe Velt, whose records featured the niggunim of the Modzitzer Rebbe. It was during those early appearances when Yussi’s voice was discovered and he was recruited to sing solo as a 10-year-old on the Pirchei Agudath Yisraelchoir albums and later with the choir at the Agudah conventions and other venues and opportunities as they presented themselves.

On his new album, “Then and Now,” which can be downloaded from most social media platforms, Yussi sings those classics of yesteryear but with a surprising twist. On the cover, you can catch a glimpse of Yussi with Reb Shlomo Carlebach as well as standing on what looks like a chair singing at an Agudah convention with Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, and Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman sitting nearby and listening attentively.

His new album features a mix of the young Yussi harmonizing with himself—60 years later—reaching those high notes on an array of great and memorable songs along with the Yussi of today, whose voice is still able to produce a silky-smooth sound, just like it did back then when it sounded like it could pierce the very heavens. Thanks to modern technology, the blending of the voices in a recording studio is seamless, breathtaking…and timeless. 

Yussi says that he never really thought about pursuing a career as a singer and instead worked in the computer industry for many years until a decade ago when he turned to teaching Judaic Studies at upscale schools like North Shore Hebrew Academy and Landers College, a subsidiary of Touro University. But at the same time, not a day went by when Yussi did not think about some aspect of the Jewish music and recording industry. For Jewish music aficionados, it’s easy to identify Yussi Sonnenblick’s distinct sound on extraordinarily popular songs and in singing groups like Dveykus and later with Abie Rotenberg and Journeys.

It might have taken half a century, but the idea of doing something with those early recordings has been on Yussi’s mind regularly. That is, until about a year ago when he decided to make it happen.

Some of his well-known and highly recognizable songs on the album include the original “Pischu Li” composed by Itzy Weisberg and Muty Parnes, a’h, and “Mi Haish” with lyrics and music by Simcha Leiner and Baruch Chait. These are what can easily and rightfully be referred to as tunes that are a blast from the past.

What’s so unusual in “Then and Now” is the idea of Yussi harmonizing with himself, blending his youthful voice of the ’60s with the skillful way he can still belt out a tune in 2025. The album, which debuted in January, has evoked a combination of nostalgic excitement and new interest. Some of the comments he received from listeners were: “Mesmerized! I am taken by the new album, thank you for bringing me back to those days, I’m filled with emotion having just listened.”

And also: “It sent shivers down my spine and touches the heart. It brings back memories of my youth and the harmonies of today and the chazzanus pieces are spectacular.”

The new album is truly something special. Actually, it’s an idea that other artists who have achieved some professional longevity should explore as well: matching the talent of one’s youth combined with their maturation as performers. As you see, it can bring a lot of pleasure and enjoyment to the listeners.

I asked Yussi if there are more songs that he might want to explore recording in the future in a follow-up album. He thought for a moment and said it was possible, but the songs on “Then and Now” have a timelessness to them that sounds like they were just written and recorded. And in a way, they were.

Next week there is a school board and library board election in an area that covers the majority of what is known as the Five Towns. It is expected that the popular incumbents will achieve an easy victory on the school board. And they are: Dr. David Sussman, Michael Hatten, and Tova Plaut. Dr. Sussman is running against college student Ezra Glass, and Mr. Hatten is being opposed by Tova Rosenfeld. Ms. Plaut is running unopposed.

For the most part, the school board exists in the shadows and operates quietly. And that is only because it is being directed so efficiently by board members that include President Murray Forman, Dr. Asher Mansdorf, Abel Feldhamer, and Heshy Blachorsky, long-time board members who are not up for re-election this year. It’s nice when things are quiet. We are a quaint and manageable educational district. As noted last week, things were definitely up in the air about two decades ago but have since settled down.

At the same time, this year there is a flurry of activity emanating from that direction. Mr. Glass is opposing Dr. Sussman. I met Mr. Glass last week and expressed some disagreement with him for opposing an educational district hero like Dr. Sussman. In response, Mr. Glass asked me why I was opposed to democracy and a democratic election?

I explained to Ezra that I’m not opposed to elections and he was reading the situation all wrong. He certainly has a right to declare his candidacy for the school board, but I think that if I editorialize about how we as a community owe a debt of gratitude to the members who have served us, that is my right as well. I explained that just because there is a scheduled election, it does not mean all the candidates need opponents.

Tova Rosenfeld is opposing Michael Hatten and while I did speak with Tova about her interest and vision for the school district, it is interesting that incumbent board member, Tova Plaut, in a letter that appears in this issue, is supporting Ms. Rosenfeld instead of her long-serving colleague, Mr. Hatten. The letter does not make clear the reasons why Ms. Plaut is supporting the challenger, but that is of course her right to do so.

From my vantage point, Michael Hatten has always served the community well and the success of the school board these last two decades has been due to their consistency and the extent to which they can work together as a unit to serve the community well. n

Read more of Larry Gordon’s articles at 5TJT.com. Follow 5 Towns Jewish Times on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and live videos. Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome at 5TJT.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.