Chazak Concert This Weekend

Over two thousand people are expected to gather at the Sullivan County Community College to salute special needs children and their families at the 13th annual Chazak concert. The unique concert allows the outstanding children to become “the Stars of the Show,” joining with the singers on stage in song and dance.

This year performers include Dovid Gabbai, Shlomo Simcha, Shloime Dachs, Yosef Chaim and The Fiddler Rabbi who will bring the audience to its feet with his famous rendition of Hop Kossak. A special tribute will be paid to the late Izzy Taubenfeld of Sameach Music who was an integral part of the Chazak concerts.

Tributes, proclamations and commendations have been received from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NYC Comptroller William Thompson, New York State Governor David Paterson, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alveraz, NYC Councilman David Weprin, and many others.

In proclaiming Saturday, August 1, 2009 as “Moses and Aaron Foundation Day in the City of New York,” Mayor Bloomberg salutes the foundation and its supporters and that “this unique event brings together leading singers in the world of Jewish music and the Guests of Honor, those children who the foundation refers to not as having ”special needs,” but as being “Outstanding” for the way they daily face adversity with an ever renewed spirit and courage.”

This announcement is in keeping with the teachings of the Rebbe zy”a, who, when referring to the physically challenged, said, “I strongly recommend a change in the term “handicapped”- and prefer the term outstanding or excellent ones, for their excellence that enables them to transcend whatever physical limitations they may have.”

“What we have seen at these concerts, having the children gain esteem and self-confidence, is something truly marvelous,” said foundation president Rabbi Yaacov Kaploun.

Tickets for the event are available by calling 212-560-0992.