Articles

Last night in Lakewood there was an “Amen Yehay Shmay Rabba Event” which took place at the Toras Aron Hall. The program, which invited boys who filled out checklists with all of the Amein Yehay Shmay Raba’s in Davening. Each boy had to do 100 Amens, and then have their father sign it. Then you bring this signed checklist to this event and that would be your entry ticket.

Close to 1,000 children enjoyed performances by Dovid Gabay, Master Illusionist Shimi Illuzini and Rabbi Maymon Elbaz. The children also received refreshments as well as a free CD and a magnet.

[Photos and Video and partial text reposed from TheLakewoodScoop.com]

More >

TJL – We’ve heard that your new album entitled “Omar Dovid” is about to be released. Please tell us a little bit about it, and describe to us how it differs from your first album “Legabay”?
DG – It’s definitely different! Only the elite composers, arrangers, and musicians were called upon to make this album the masterpiece that it is. Names like Yossi Green, Yisroel Lamm, Baruch Levine, Leib Yaakov Rigler and Yitzy Waldner are names that people most likely would recognize. Elimelech Blumstein is an up and coming composer that many have yet to hear of. But believe me when I say “we’re going to hear a lot more of him in the coming years”. 5 of the 11 songs on this CD were composed by him. Every song has a different sound. From Sefardik/Israeli to a “Modern day Tanya” – It’s all here. There are two ways to present Jewish music. A) To inspire people with a slow heartzige nigun that penetrates right to the heart, and B) To simply entertain with Leibedig upbeat music. This album definitely has both!

TJL – Were you surprised by the huge success of your first CD?
DG – There is no way for a new artist to tell if his debut album will be matzliach before it hits the shelves. As a singer, you can love the songs and the production so much and almost be certain that it will do well, but you nevertheless need Siyata Dishmaya – and that’s what ultimately will push the album’s success over the top. All I can do is put in lots of hard work and effort and sing with all of my neshoma. Everything else is up to the Ribono Shel Olam. Baruch Hashem, I had a lot of help from the One above and “LeGabay” was very matzliach.

TJL – Will “Omar Dovid” be as original as “LeGabay”?
DG – I think so! As different and original as “LeGabay” was, it was still main stream enough not to make people ask “whoa what is this!?” Omar Dovid is full of new and fresh ideas. No Bagpipes anywhere to be found, but we did use the one and only 24 String Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra which delivered a full and classy sound. The kanun and oud (two middle-eastern instruments) were used in the song “Nagilah”. The English song brings out a message of how important it is that every Jew prays for their fellow (in specific, about having children). So, originality is definitely here.

TJL – Wow – The English song’s message is very powerful one!
DG – It hits home on a very personal level. Unfortunately, many people struggle to bring children to this world. Chazal tell us “Whoever davens for their friend will be answered”. That is the very special message that lies within “The Letter”.

TJL – What was the most special part of becoming a superstar?
DG – The way I can touch the hearts of so many people. Particularly children. Suddenly, shaking a child’s hand or giving him/her a smile can really touch their heart in a way that I may not have been able to before.

TJL – How many songs did you sift through until you chose the 11 for this album?
DG – I can’t really remember an exact amount, but I would say, easily in the hundreds.

TJL – Do you have a personal favorite on the album?
DG � Definitely! The last song, “Nagilah” is my favorite. I appreciate many different styles of music. The middle-eastern sound that Nagilah has just makes people want to get up and dance! I actually had a part in composing that song with Yitzy Waldner and Danny Flam. Every time I hear that song, it brings a smile to my face.

TJL – Who did you look up to in the music world as a youngster?
DG – I think every singer today would just about give the same answer to that question. Avraham Fried and Mordechai Ben David. In anyone’s line of work, the people that are looked up to are the ones that went through it all and were matzliach. They paved the path that the young singers have to walk on today and set the bar for success. I have met them at weddings, and sang with them at shows. As a kid, I was wowed by them, and as an adult, backstage, I see that they are the nicest people. I honestly believe, that’s what made them so successful. They are, and always will be, the two standing pillars of Jewish music.

TJL – What does your daily life look like? Learning? Family? Singing?
DG – I am very involved in all of the above! I have a wife and four boys. I learn in the morning. In the afternoons, I take care of whatever business that needs to be done. Whether it is booking a flight to a concert, or arranging sheet music for an out of town wedding. I spend time with my children then also. Sometimes in the evenings I am zoche to be home with my family, but often I am out at concerts and weddings.

TJL – What is your favorite part about singing at a wedding?
DG – It is amazing to show up to work where everyone is ready to be b’simcha. It is not the typical nine to five job! Everyone is in a good mood, and smiling. It is wonderful. You are adding to their simcha when it’s their happiest and most joyful time of their lives!

TJL -What message would you like to send to the world of Jewish music fans?
DG – Do everything l’shem shomayim! It doesn’t only apply to Jewish music. Anyone who conducts themselves in all of their endeavors with the attitude of “I’m doing everything l’shem shomayim” will ultimately have siyata dishmaya in their lives. Jewish music is meant to uplift. Utilize it the right way – it is tahor. We try our hardest to keep all of the tumah out. We want to bring people closer to Hashem, and this is our Kli. I hope that you love the album. I hope that it uplifts you. Enjoy!!

In America, “Omar Dovid” will be distributed by Sameach Music.
In Israel, “Omar Dovid” will be distributed by Ranenu Music.