The Farbrengen experience in Chabad Houses, Shuls, and homes worldwide is taking on a new interactive dimension with the newly expanded Seder Nigunim companion from The Moshiach Office at Merkos 302.
“The first time I heard Chassidic songs sung like that, I knew it was something special, but I had no idea what it was,” says Jackie Korchowsky, a Chabad House volunteer in Williamsville, NY.
Due to overwhelming demand, with last year’s sales reaching 1,000 copies, the Seder Nigunim companion is now available in a second edition. This edition is dedicated L’ilui Nishmas beloved Shliach Rabbi Levi Wolosow A”H, who deeply cherished nigunim and loved the Festival of the Future project. Rabbi Wolosow passed away nearly two months ago, leaving behind his wife and eight children. This reprint serves as a tribute to his passion for nigunim and his impact on his community, particularly in the farbrengen realm.
Now available in both English and Spanish, the full-color companion provides a wealth of insight, background, and meaning behind the Rebbeim’s nigunim, inviting everyone to participate and connect with the soul of the melodies.
For Moshe Bolinsky, a community member at Chabad of Long Beach, NY, the Seder Nigunim companion has been a game-changer. “From my days in Crown Heights, I am familiar with the Rebbeim’s nigunim, but using the links in the companion allows me to practice them, plus be inspired when listening.”
Photos of the Rebbeim bring the nigunim to life, giving readers a visual of the song’s composer. The appendix includes Daled Bavos along with its preparatory and subsequent nigunim. For those unfamiliar with the tunes, QR codes in the back of the companion provide easy access for learning.
At a round-table family Seder Nigunim, Zalman Negin, musician and founder of Mamesh Music, shares how each child introduced a nigun before singing it together. “The companion added a layer of depth that made the experience much more meaningful.”
“The Farbrengen has always been a key element of the warmth and joy that Shluchim infuse into their community members’ lives,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “The goal of the companion is to ensure a meaningful and interactive Farbrengen experience for those who may not have had the opportunity.”
The Seder Nigunim Companion will be available for order until 5 Nissan (April 3). Its available for purchase online at shop.tutaltz.com. Contact [email protected] to inquire about a customizable option for weddings, bar mitzvahs, or family reunions as mementos or gifts.
