YU Alumnus Shmuel Bodenheimer Opens Chanukah Concert

For the second year in a row, former YU student Shmuel Bodenheimer was the opening act at the annual Chanukah Concert. Joined by current YU students and members of Bodenheimer's band B'Smamim: Avi Moche (YC '99), Elisha Mayer (YC '98), and Ephraim Yablok (YC '98), Bodenheimer played three songs of his own composition.

Due to popular demand, B'Samim opened with Bodenheimer's Hinei MaTov, which he used to begin last year's concert. In addition, they performed two new songs that Bodenheimer composed over the past year. Bodenheimer described the songs as "a mixture of popular Jewish music and contemporary new age sound." He expressed his enthusiasm over the opportunity to "perform alongside Jewish music industry icons such as MBD and Dedi." In addition, the group dedicated their performance to the recovery of Raphael Shmuel Avraham ben Rochel Leah, a four year old boy afflicted with cancer.

Bodenheimer said that positive student feedback from his performance in last year's concert inspired him to start thinking about forming a group. Over the last few months, Bodenheimer has worked on composing songs for an upcoming album soon to be released. Also, he has formed a seven member band called B'Samim which will be displayed on his upcoming tape. Aside for focusing his time on his music, Bodenheimer is also a part time student in the music division of the Juilliard School and the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Bodenheimer has also kept his connection to YU, learning morning seder in the main Beis Medrash.

After their performance at the concert, Bodenheimer said that B'Smamim will be performing at engagement parties and simchas. Describing his feelings at playing the concert, Bodenheimer stated, "I'm excited to start a series of B'Samim concerts in the near future at home [YU], where it all began last year." In addition, Bodenheimer plans to release B'Samim's first album under Yedid Productions, by the beginning of February.

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