Channukah Concert Rocks Lamport Auditorium

The undergraduate campuses were all abuzz in the weeks prior to Chanukah in eager and excited anticipation of the most popular and enjoyable event of the year. Surprising many, the event exceeded any and all expectation. On December 9, YCSC and SCWSC played host to the preeminent names in Jewish music at the annual Chanukah Concert. An energetic crowd of over 1,100 attendees from YC, SCW, and an array of local Jewish high schools, deluged the theologically charged moshpit of Lamport Auditorium in a memorable event that afforded students the rare opportunity to engage in on-campus recreational activity.

The star-studded concert featured Avraham Fried, Dedi, Shloime Dachs, and Shalom Morgenstern. All of the performers enjoyed the musical accompaniment of the Neginah Orchestra. Shalom Morgenstern, a recent YC graduate, sang a set of three songs from his brand new album, L’Tav Avid, to get the evening’s performance underway. Morgensern’s sweet voice and hometown style received a rousing ovation as his fellow YU students rose to their feet chanting for their friend, a talented new star in the enigmatic field of Modern American Jewish Music. Concert Producer Naftali Olivestone noted that following Morgenstern’s performance, "at least a dozen people mentioned to me that they feel Shalom is going to be a big hit."

Following Morgenstern’s successful debut, the ever-popular Shloime Dachs entered from side stage singing an accapella intro to his famous "Yerav," evoking cheers and ear piercing shrieks from the audience. The screeching and shrieking subsided as he calmly and soulfully sang his most popular song "Hamalach." "It’s really a pleasure to be back at YU two years in a row," Dachs informed the crowd. "You always hear about the famous YU concert, and when I was called to do it last year, people told me to make it good, because you get there once and maybe they invite you back in five years. So I’m really flattered that you invited me back again." "Indeed, he is one of the best," commented Olivestone, who raved about Dachs’ performance. "Shloime has quickly distinguished himself as an audience favorite."

Continuing a long first half, the lights were dimmed to blackness for the entrance of special guest star, Dedi. Bedecked in a black t-shirt not bearing his trademark insignia, but rather the official logo of YU Chanukah Concert ‘99, Dedi explained that his casual garb was an indication that "when I come to YU, I am not performing, I come to party with you. I love YU!" Dedi belted out a full set of popular tunes including songs from his newest album as well as signature songs from past recordings. Of particular enjoyment to the crowd was Dedi’s performance of an almost forgotten song of Shlomo Carlebach, as he displayed his talent at playing guitar. Dedi’s set concluded with house shaking, rocking renditions of "Ki Va Moed" and "Hu Yigal," which had the entire crowd off their seats and screaming and begging for more.

The intermission featured some of the year’s most intense mixed, shiduch-encouraging socialization. A smattering of pick-up ma’ariv minyanim also sprang up in the Lamport foyer. YUSSR used the break in the action to sell tickets for its annual raffle while concert goers had the opportunity to partake of the senior class concession stands, or purchase Morgenstern’s best selling tape and CD. Free T-Shirts from J&R Music World, the concert’s corporate sponsor, were distributed along with free catalogs.

Subsequent to a brief Chanukah medley by the Neginah Orchestra, YU favorite and undisputed superstar Avraham Fried stole the night away with his headline performance. The most eagerly anticipated part of the night, Fried reminded all present why they had been so excitingly looking forward to his unsurpassed stellar performance. Fried whipped out an array of tunes ranging from his most popular classics to his most recent upbeat favorites. His set opened to the number one song of the 1990’s, "Didoh Bei," which set the tone for what was yet to come. His soulful rendition of the classic "No Jew will be Left Behind," accompanied by images of fire and Stars of David had the audience cheering to no avail. By the time Fried had sung seven songs, he had the crowd on the edge of their seats, begging to hear "Chazak," the song that Fried performed for the first time ever on the YU stage three years ago. When Fried reached the first chorus of the song, two flashpots exploded on each side of the stage, sending fire and smoke upward. The crowd roared its approval of Rabbi Dr. John Krug’s lighting effects, only to be surprised once more when two canons fired massive amounts of confetti over the entire auditorium.

After Fried’s set, much of the audience assumed the concert was over. However, an announcement was made over the sound system for everyone to take their seats, as the show was by no means over. Olivestone, with the help of Etan Walls, got the crowd roaring again, and then announced that there was a surprise finale. World famous composer Yossi Green was in attendance, and after a piano was set up, Green strolled onto the stage. The audience voiced its approval, chanting "Yossi, Yossi!" Green began to play on the piano and promptly, Morgenstern walked onto the stage singing "Shalom Aleichem." Dachs then appeared in the left aisle and joined in the singing. For the last verse of the song, Fried and Dedi walked down the right aisle surrounded by the audience. When they reached the stage, all of the performers joined Green for two of his most popular compositions, Dedi’s "Rotzoh," and Fried’s "Rifoeni." The finale ended with YU homesong "Simcha L’artzecah" and "Mizmor L’David" as all five stars huddled together in an unsurpassed performance of Pop-Hassidic music. The performers walked offstage with the crowd still loudly singing, dancing and applauding. <

This year’s was undoubtedly the best concert ever, due in no small part to the tireless weeks of work by Olivestone and his concert committee. "The concert was everything it was built up to be and more," declared one anxious concert-goer. The thoroughly enjoyable event is one that people will be talking about for a long time to come.