A. Cohen
Over 2,100 people packed into the beautiful Howard Gillman Opera House Sunday for a night they would never forget.
The event was a special evening marking 30 years since the Lubavitcher Rebbe started the Jewish children’s organization Tzivos Hashem, and 30 years of hard work and devotion to Jewish children worldwide through clubs, rallies, countless publications, craft workshops and more.
The atmosphere was electric as the house lights faded and the hall fell silent. A voice over the loudspeaker announced the beginning of the show and the hall erupted in cheers and applause. The MC for the evening, comedian Elon Gold of Los Angeles had the crowd roaring with laughter from the start.
The theme song, ‘Impact’, written by Moshe Kravitsky and performed by the Sparks Choir together with Avraham Fried and Lipa Schmeltzer, was beautifully executed and the children performed to the highest standards. The words of the song highlighted the theme of the evening, ‘children have got the power to change the world’ by using their talents and through doing good they can really make an impact ‘to bring Moshiach now.’
Jewish superstars Avraham Fried and Lipa Schmeltzer were on fire as they wowed the crowd with impressive performances of their hit songs.
Together with the Shira Choir and the Redwine Dance group the performance element of the evening was exciting and entertaining.
A skit, written and directed by Tzirel Raskin and Michelle Lieberman, gave a story of inspiration about how kids themselves can be the ones to influence others, and in their innocence change the world for the good. Never underestimate the power of the young, was the message imparted and the little actors, joined by Fried and Lipa who played themselves, gave over this message in a skit full of meaning and a touch of humor.
Over the course of the evening many talented children graced the stage to show what they are doing to make the world a better place, in the form of the finals of the ‘Power of Jewish Children’ Competition. The finalists of the three competition categories, Chessed, Achievement, and Performing Arts, showcased their talents and acts of kindness before the guest judges made their final decision.
Honored judges were Elly Klienman – President and CEO of The Americare Companies and partner of the event, Nancy Spielberg – Executive Producer, Rabbi Simon Jacobson – bestselling author of ‘Towards and Meaningful Life,’ Ambassador Palitha Kohona of Sri Lanka – Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Cat Greenleaf – features reporter for WNBC NY. Prizes up for grabs included cash for a non-profit organization of the winner’s choice, a sizable amount for themselves and a library of books from Kehot Publishing house.
After each of the finalists performed, the judges had the chance to ask them a few questions about their talent. Winner of the Achievement category Menachem Farkash was challenged by Rabbi Jacobson to begin a chapter of Mishnayus that he had chosen. Menachem was able to recite them from the exact spot the Rabbi had picked, flawlessly, much to the amazement of the judges and the crowed who cheered loudly.
Michelle Stern, the young violinist, astounded the crowd with her violin skills. Accompanied by her mother on the piano, she had the audience on the edge of their seats and wide mouthed in awe as she played her piece. The crowd rose to their feet as she finished and applauded loudly, she was a clear winner in the performance category.
The chessed finalists all impressed the judges and finding an overall winner was difficult, but the final winner was chosen after a lovely performance of ‘If I were a rich man’ from Fiddler on the roof by Mendel Kugel of Crown Heights, who uses his talent to raise money for charity, bring joy to the sick and entertain the elderly.
All the finalists were awarded medals and their prizes by co-chairpersons of the evening Mr. Ira Yavarkovsky and Dr. Marcia Wilf, both long-time friends and supporters of Tzivos Hashem.
Produced by Danny Kaizler of Israevents and Danny Finkelman of Sparks Productions it was a fabulous evening of performance and talent and one that won’t be forgotten too quickly.
The Tzivos Hashem ‘Jewish Kids Got Talent’ Concert Gala brought to you by The Americare Companies, and sponsored in part by The Jewish Press and COLlive.com was a resounding success and a wonderful way to commemorate the 30 successful years of Tzivos Hashem and a promise to never give up and strive to do better and provide for future generations of Jewish children.
GO MENDY SAMUELS!!!! BEST ACTOR EVER
you are tzivos hashem
does anyone know the lyrics to the tzivos hashem song that sparks choir was singing?
wahooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! Y R U NOT IN ENGLAND FOR THE WEDDING???!!!!!
Go Yoni T!!!!
please make a video of the skit beccosi would like to see it
the top 30- when are they getting their prizes?
YOU WERE AMAIZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey shabi i see u there u look sooooooooooooooo nice from ur cousin
great actor !!!!
i don’t know who won but whoever won good for them
chana friedmannn
esty levin u rock!!!
We all know what to expect from Avremel and Lipa , but what was really enlightening and astounding was the singing of Mendel Piekarski. His voice , poise , and modesty are telltale signs of a bright future. It is nice to know that we have such talent among our own and we wish him the best.
this is Mendel Piekarski. witch cousin is this???
great job everyone
im so proud to be his cousin!!!! you are righ we are very proud of him!! : )
go mendle piekarski!
Mendel Piekarski in “Shuvah” was the best!! What a talent!! His family must be so proud of him!
please post video’s from the beutiful shira chiar
Can we see more…please? 🙂
Chessed
1st place- Mendel Kugel
2nd place- Esty Levin
3rd Place- Mushka Heidingsfeld
Talent
1st- Michelle Stern
2nd- Motty Hertz
3rd-Levi Brod
Achievmant
1st-Menachem Farkash
2nd-Zalman Gansburg
3rd- Eden Harari
totally agree with #30
we couldn’t stop talking about that
Gold medals as follows:
Achievement: Farkash (for mishnayos be al pe)
Music: Michelle Stern (Unimaginable 7 yers old violinist)
Chesed: Mendy Kugel (Very talented violinist who offers hist talent for farbrengins, doing bikur holim and fund raising. Seemed like overall favorite although there was no such category)
Mendel Piekarski what amazing singing!!!!
your video was phenomenal.well done!
We live aboard. it looks like it was amazing!!!
can u post more clips of the concert please?
TIA
What an amazing event! Kol Hakavod to all those that made it a reality! And of course the finalists. I was very impressed by the concert! A real Kiddush Hashem!
Mendel Piekarski..what a star! What talent!
much hatzlocho in all you do.
We love you
Can we please please have a few MORE videos!!
We missed such a spectacular event 🙁 🙁
We LOVE the one you put up, but we need MORE, please!!
Go Shabbi
What’s with the sun glasses?
u guys rock!!!!!!!!!!!!
mushka h. should have won b/c she is actually doing the rebbes shlichus!
cant you read?
Menachem Farkash kol hakavod
a real z’chus and a aliyas neshomoh for your grandmother
Rebetzin SARA ROCHEL SCHOCHET obm from Los Angeles
Moshe you rock the stage we all love you love the flints
Nisi Schlanger u r the cutest child ever. We love u. Great jobbbbbbb!
Schnuer Zalman you were awesome!
GO NISI AND ZALMAN !!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE UR rapping!
ZALMAN CONGRATULATIONSS we are so proud of you both! LOVE Shaina & Avremi
ilu!!!!!! u look awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is that really you? Youre the bomb!!
Ur the best !!!!!!!!
Well written.
The rap is mamosh geshmak!
please more videos for the sake of out of towners who couldn’t be there!
Sparks boys choir worked so hard and were as professional as any yeshiva choir ever on the scene, we want more!
follow sos student 🙂
Yoni we are so proud of you great job. Thank you for posting the videos.
I HAD SO MUCH FUNN!!!! THANKS GUYS!
Go Moshe Kravitsky.
Shabbi, you’re adorable
go chaya weisssss!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks soo much for the 2 until now
who got the 2,500 dollars?
Wow what an event! Kol Hakavod to Tzivos Hashem
what a show!
the highlight was avraham fried singing with the footage of the rebbe on the screen behind him…
what a powerful impact!
i got chills
Can we please see more???
I really hope they produce a full length dvd of this concert. It is sure sure to sell well!!!
beautiful and arranged well!