The Story That Inspired Yaakov Shwekey’s New Song

By Sruly Meyer – COLlive

“I’ve had a rough year,” admits Jewish music star Yaakov Shwekey when he looks back at 5784. It wasn’t only the massacre of October 7 that deeply impacted him like the rest of the Jewish nation. This past year, Shwekey lost both his father and mother.

“You really reflect a lot when you go through a tragic loss, even more so two tragic losses that our family suffered,” he explains.

“Both of my parents excelled at helping others, even when they themselves were not in a good place. My mother was born in a displaced persons camp (DP) in Germany (after the Second World War). At 17, she had to fend for herself and made sure her younger sisters had what they needed.”

Shwekey says he found personal guidance – and the inspiration behind his latest music video – in a story told by the renowned lecturer Rabbi YY Jacobson about his grandmother, Mrs. Taibel Lipskier, who was also in a displaced persons camp before immigrating to the United States in 1947.

Due to the war and life’s struggles, Mrs. Lipskier suffered from anxiety and turned to the Rebbe for help. “The Rebbe gave her fascinating advice,” Rabbi Jacobson said. “He suggested that she go to as many Jewish weddings as possible and dance away.”

“As it happens to be, my grandmother was an exceptionally skilled dancer,” Rabbi Jacobson noted. “She embraced the Rebbe’s advice, and for decades, she would go to every possible wedding and dance away. She danced with family, friends, relatives, community members, and sometimes complete strangers.”

VIDEO: The Rebbe’s Advice for Anxiety – Rabbi YY Jacobson

Shwekey said: “This story really spoke to me. I needed to hear this, and not only did it inspire me personally, but I felt the need to release this message to the world. The Rebbe’s advice is so powerful, so personal, and so relevant, especially this past year.”

“Our secret weapon against these dark times is seeing happiness in others’ success and our love for another Jew,” Shwekey said. “Sinas chinam brought us into this Golus, but it’s Ahavas Yisroel that will bring the Geulah to its end. Mrs. Lipskier understood that through bringing others joy, she would bring herself joy. That’s my takeaway from this story.”

The result was the release of a new song, “Dance My Fears Away,” composed by Yitzy Waldner. “I wanted to create a new song that showcases what we do when we are faced with obstacles like these,” Shwekey said.

He said it is his hope that this song and its message will help people focus more on bringing joy to others, and focus on daily miracles around us.

“I think this is a helpful way to go into the new year and be b’simcha,” he added. “We are not a nation that should be absorbing painful news and painful experiences all the time. We are a nation that wants to be b’simcha. Yes, we need to be informed about news that affects us, but we also must step back and focus on Hashem’s daily miracles. We need to sing, and we need to dance!”

VIDEO: Yaakov Shwekey – Dance My Fears Away