Yeshiva's Own to Give Concerts in NY Metro Area

Yeshiva University's homegrown Jewish music group, B'samim, is beginning a three-month concert tour in the New York metro area. The group, led by Yeshiva College alumnus Shmuel Bodenheimer (YC '97) has already booked four performance dates including one at the "Mecca" of Jewish music, Queens College.

B'samim currently consists of five former or current YU students. The band includes vocalists Elie Borger (YC '97) and Elisha Mayer (YC '98), guitarist Alex Remer (YC '00), drummer/vocalist Ephraim Yablok (YC '98), and Bodenheimer, who serves in the capacity of keyboardist/vocalist/composer. According to Bodenheimer, the name, B'samim has significance to the Yeshiva students who have been imbued with a Torah U'Maddah duality. It intends to convey the message found in havdalah; that of combining the holy with the secular within the context of our Jewish lives.

Bsamim's first real exposure came at the annual YU Chanukah concert last year, when it opened for Avraham Fried, Dedi, and Mendy Wald. The YU community responded well to the band, composed entirely of fellow YU students. Audience members also appreciated the distinct sound the group brought to the stage.

In the months following the concert, B'samim's popularity spread beyond the proverbial borders of the YU campus. The release of their first album, "Lihavdil," at last year's SOY Seforim Sale ushered the band into the realm of mainstream Jewish music, highlighted by their inclusion in the annual Israel Day Parade concert in Central Park.

Bodenheimer explained B'samim's appeal as partially resulting from the lack of diversity within modern Jewish music. "There is a tremendous want for artistic creativity," he emphasized. "B'samim's goal from its inception was to add something new to Jewish music. Unlike other Jewish bands and soloists that rely on outside orchestras for accompaniment, B'samim is completely self-sufficient. We combine strong rich vocals with our own heartfelt accompaniment in singing many newly composed songs to produce a sound that is all our own."

Like many Orthodox bands, B'samim has sought to impress a message upon its followers. Its songs reflect central themes in Jewish life and the lyrics often originate from Tehillim, Tefillah and Tanach. A spokesman for the band claimed that the theme song of their first album, "Havdalah," discusses the essence of Judaism, life's purpose, and the task of bringing the holy into the mundane; a task that many at YU and Stern can appreciate. Other tracks, such as "Heenai Ma Tov," call for peace and achdut (unity) within the larger Jewish community.

B'samim attributes their good fortune to the support of the YU community. Guitarist Alex Remer comments that, "One of the things that's great about B'samim is that we're part of a community. We're a bunch of guys who went to school together and we're a part of that whole experience. It's an amazing thing." B'samim tries its best to show its appreciation to the YU community for all its support. At last year's SOY Seforim Sale, B'samim offered advanced copies of "Lihavdil" to YU students before its release to the rest of the public. When asked about future concerts on the YU campuses, Bodenheimer had the following to say, "A concert with our closest friends, where it all began for us? We'd love to."

B'samim can be visited at their website: www.bsamim.com. The band already has a good idea of what material will be appearing on their second album and hope to record sometime this summer for release next Chanukah. They will be performing in numerous upcoming local concerts, where they will offer samples of their upcoming record. Their first release, "Lihavdil," is available from Sameach Music and can be purchased at most Jewish music outlets or through their website.