By COLlive reporter
Photos by Yaakov Hellinger
Over 150 people attended a rare and historic event to benefit Lamplighters Yeshivah, a Montessori-style school for Jewish children in Crown Heights, at the Green Building in Brooklyn recently.
The event, produced and hosted by Zevi Kugel (with event planning by Mimulo), showcased the legendary composer and songwriter Yossi Green, who sang and shared the stories that inspired some of the most memorable songs in Jewish music.
The interactive musical journey began with the Zmiros choir singing an acapella version of Lipa Schmeltzer’s “Yossi my’ne chaver” and an opener by Boruch Sholom Blesofsky.
Described as a “Lamplighter” of the Jewish music world, Yossi Green then joined the stage and began a musical montage of his compositions and personal stories, accompanied by the choir and music producer Ruli Ezrachi.
As Green played on the grand piano, the captive audience was transported to an evening of nostalgia while in the presence of creative genius. Green was also joined on stage by singer Eli Marcus, who sang songs made famous by his uncle Avraham Fried.
Marcus, who has become known in the Jewish wedding scene, also sang snippets of new songs, composed by Green himself, that will be included on Marcus’ soon-to-be-released debut album.
At some point, interjected in a montage of his music, Yossi Green talked about his visit to Lamplighters Yeshivah which aims to strike a balance between staying true to timeless traditions and connecting with every Jewish child, in his own unique way, to his personal mission.
“I got to see these maalachim learning, with so much concentration, it was so beautiful! I was transfixed!” Greed gushed. “I couldn’t help imagining what my life would have been like, how much more I would have become, had I learnt to a school like this.
Green speculated that “I probably would have been a huge Talmid Chochom, a Gaon!”
The audience laughed and applauded, but the message was clear: an education at Lamplighters Yeshivah has the power to unlock a child’s greatest potential, parents and the school’s staff commented.
The inspirational evening of music and soul was followed by words from the school’s executive director, Yocheved Sidof.
“Yossi Green truly is a Lamplighter. He has taken his most profound gifts and talents and developed them in such a meaningful way. And more than that, he shares his talents and has transformed the world…
“Imagine a whole world of Yossi Greens, of individuals who have developed their own unique gifts and have set out to uplift the world through their special Shlichus. That is our mission at Lamplighters Yeshivah. To empower our children to light up the world, each in his or her own distinctive, personal way.”
Zevi kugel rocks!
Alef.
Zevi, lighting the lamp for lamplighter 🙂
Sorry to those that missed it. it was quite nice, intimate, great wine.
Kudos to the producers.
-Yossi Green is a genius.
-Eli MArcus was on fire.
-Yossi green doesnt have a “good voice” but his passion for music comes thru big time.
I love everything this school does! Go Lamplighters!!