Benny Friedman (singer)

This article is about the Hasidic singer. For the American football quarterback, see Benny Friedman.

Benny Friedman
Friedman in 2018
Background information
Born (1984-12-03) December 3, 1984 (age 39)
St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
GenresOrthodox pop
OccupationSinger
Years active1998–present
Websitebennysmusic.com
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Controversies

Benzion Hakohen "Benny" Friedman (Hebrew: בנציון הכהן פרידמן; born 1984)[1] is an American Hasidic Jewish singer and a non-pulpit rabbi. Professionally trained in voice, he rose to prominence on the Orthodox pop scene with his first album in 2009. Singing mainly in Hebrew, Friedman tours extensively and also appears in music videos. He views his music as a shlichus (outreach) tool, with the goal of drawing Jews closer to Judaism.[1][2]

Early life and family

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Friedman was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, where his father, Rabbi Manis Friedman, was a Chabad shaliach.[2][1] His uncle (his father's brother) is Orthodox Jewish singing star Avraham Fried; he is also the first-cousin of Shmuel and Bentzi Marcus (sons of his father's sister Ita) of the band 8th Day.[3]

At the age of twelve he was sent to learn at the Lubavitcher yeshiva in Postville, Iowa,[2] where he boarded in the home of Rabbi Sholom Rubashkin.[4] At age 15 he traveled to Israel to study in the Lubavitcher yeshiva in Safed. He earned rabbinic ordination and worked as a Chabad shaliach in Tucson, Arizona for several years.[2]

He married in 2009 and resides in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.[5]

Music career

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As a child, Friedman enjoyed singing at the family Shabbat table and listening to the CDs of Avraham Fried, Mordechai Ben David, and Moshe Yess. He was also comfortable performing in front of audiences.[2] After his bar mitzvah he began performing in Orthodox Jewish summer camps in the Catskill Mountains; later he gave concerts in the U.S., Europe, and Israel during his vacations from yeshiva.[6]

Before his marriage, Friedman trained for four years with voice coach Seth Riggs in California.[7] During that time, he created a show called "Judaism: The Song and the Story", which toured the West Coast for several years running.[6][8][9]

Friedman came to national attention with the release of his first solo album, Taamu, produced by Avi Newmark along with Technical Producer, Sruly Meyer in 2009. Afterward he began touring in concert and singing at Jewish weddings.[7] He was a guest vocalist on the 2011 album Nagila V'Nismicha, singing with the Nagilah Orchestra.[10]

His second solo album, Yesh Tikvah: Dawn of Moshiach (2012), also produced by Newmark, along with Technical Producer, Sruly Meyer, made a splash in the Orthodox Jewish world with its title track, "Yesh Tikvah".[11] The Hebrew-language song encouraging hope and faith[12] was co-written by Ari Goldwag and Miriam Israeli.[13] The song earned a mention in an editorial in the Yated Ne'eman Orthodox Jewish newspaper, a paper not known for music reviews.[11][14] "Yesh Tikvah" has been covered by numerous major Orthodox Jewish singers and choirs[11] and was rendered into Yiddish by the Yedidim Choir.[15]

In 2013 Friedman released his first spinoff album B'nei Heichala: A Shabbos with Benny Friedman, which includes traditional and modern Shabbat zemirot.[16]

In 2014, he released his third solo album, Kol Haneshama Sheli.[17]

in 2016, Friedman released a new album with 13 original songs, titled Fill The World With Light.

In 2019, he released Kulanu Nelech – a studio album featuring 13 tracks. The music was executive produced by Benny Friedman and written by a wide range of composers, including: Ari Goldwag, Udi Damari, Moshe and Yitzy Waldner. Three tracks were recorded live with the Budapest Art Orchestra, Hungary, including orchestral arrangements by Frederic Bernard, Gershon Freishtat and Elchanan Elchadad.[18]

In 2020, he released his first a cappella album, Whispers of the Heart. The album was conceived and recorded over one week, during the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] The following year he released a follow-up album Whispers of the Heart 2.[20] Whispers of the Heart 3 was released two years later.

Since then he has released numerous singles, including the hit Yama, which won Kol Chai Music's Song of the Year award.

Benefit performances

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Friedman has performed on three fund-raising singles: "Chasoif", a free download supporting the rebuilding of the Chabad house damaged in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and families of the victims;[21] "Unity", a production by 30 top Orthodox Jewish performers to benefit the legal defense of Sholom Rubashkin;[22] and "Berachamim", whose proceeds were earmarked for the medical expenses of Ilan Tocker, a Cedarhurst man who suffered a traumatic brain injury.[23] In 2014 Friedman sang on the album Shir (Song), a collection of 18 songs composed by Shlomo Rechnitz and performed by the leading musical artists in the Orthodox Jewish world. The artists all donated their talents, and proceeds from album sales will benefit the Keren Hashviis Fund, which supports Israeli farmers keeping the laws of Shmita.[24]

Friedman was a headliner at HASC 24, "A Time for Duets" (2011), singing both solo and in duets with his uncle, Avraham Fried;[25] HASC 26 (2013);[26] HASC 27 (2014);[27] and other HASC concerts.

Friedman frequently performs at Chabad events.[9][28][29][30] In 2009 he was the guest vocalist at the first anniversary memorial for the Chabad shluchim murdered in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.[9] In 2013 he sang for both adults and youth at the annual Kinus HaShluchim Conference in New York City.[31] In December 2013 he sang the national anthem of the US at the first Jewish Heritage Night at a Brooklyn Nets game.[32]

In 2014 he performed at a Chasdei Soul II Soul concert to benefit special-needs students in Crown Heights.[33]

Musical style

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Friedman's music is categorized as pop Jewish music.[2] He mainly sings in Hebrew, as well as in English.[34]

Music videos

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Friedman appears in music videos to promote his songs. The 2012 "Yesh Tikvah" music video has him singing against a nighttime cityscape and then moving to a sunny field to the accompaniment of a chorus of children.[35] In the 2013 music video for "Maaleh Ani", Friedman sings by the Malibu, California coastline while a guitarist, bass guitarist, and drummer play underwater in a swimming pool.[36][37] Friedman eventually jumps into the pool fully clothed in his trademark black dress suit, white shirt, and tie – clapping, drumming, and playing air guitar with the band.[37] In his 2022 music video "Yama", he appears to run through Israel from coast to coast.

Discography

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Solo albums

[edit]
  • Taamu (2009)
  • Yesh Tikvah – Dawn of Moshiach (2012)
  • Kol Haneshama Sheli – With All My Soul (2014)
  • Fill The World With Light (2016)[38]
  • Kulanu Nelech (2019)
  • It Sounds Like Purim (2022)
  • It Sounds Like Chanukah (2022)
  • Whispers of the Heart Acapella
  • Whispers of the Heart 2 Acapella
  • Whispers of the Heart 3 Acapella
  • Am Yisrael Chai (2023)

Spinoffs

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  • Nagila V'Nismicha with the Nagilah Orchestra (2011)
  • B'nei Heichala – A Shabbos with Benny Friedman (2013)
  • Whispers of the Heart – A Cappella Inspiration for Sefira & The 3 Weeks (2020)
  • Whispers of the Heart 2 – A Cappella Inspiration for Sefira & The 3 Weeks (2021)
  • Whispers of the Heart 3 – A Cappella Inspiration for Sefira & The 3 Weeks (2023)

Singles

[edit]
  • Chasoif - with Yitzy Spinner and Yisroel Werdyger (2008)
  • Berachamim - with Ari Goldwag (2010) (also featured on Yesh Tikvah)
  • Mi Shemaamin (2011)
  • Light One Candle (2013)
  • Kulam Sharim (2016) (also featured on Fill The World With Light)
  • B'sefer Chaim (2016) (also featured on Fill The World With Light)
  • V'haarev Na - with Baruch Levine (2018)
  • Lichtig un Varem (2018)
  • Vesechezena (2018)
  • No Time Like Now (2018)
  • My Dear Rebbe - with Yitzy Waldner (2019)
  • Hareini Mekabel (2019) (also featured on Kulanu Nelech)
  • Vzakeini - with Baruch Levine (2020)
  • B'Shir - with Sruly Green (2020)
  • Ich Bin Dans - with Dovy Meisels (2020)
  • 25,000 Candles (2021)
  • We May All Be Different - with Joey Newcomb (2021)
  • A Yid (2021)
  • It's a Rebbe's Life (2021)
  • Thank You Rebbi - with Yitzy Waldner (2021)
  • Stand Up For Our Morahs (2021)
  • Hold On Tight - with Baruch Levine (2022)
  • Dear Am Yisroel (2022)
  • YAMA (2022)
  • Emunah, Bitachon, Geulah (2022)
  • Our Children are our Mission - with Shloime Gertner (2022)
  • Tu Tu Tu (2023)
  • Vshavu Banim - with Baruch Levine (2023)
  • We Are With You (2023)
  • Rebbi - It's All From You! (2023)
  • Lo Lefached (2023)
  • Am Yisroel Chai Mashup - with Moshe Tischler (2024)

Guest appearances

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  • HASC 24 - A Time For Duets (HASC), 2011 ("Avraham Fried & Benny Friedman Medley")
  • The Music We Love (Ohel Concert), 2012 ("Taamu", "Yavducha", "One Day")
  • Kumzing 2 (Hamenganim Orchestra), 2012 ("No Lyrics", "Letova", "Kad Yasvun")
  • Simchas Hachaim 2 (Aderet Music), 2013 ("Chabad Medley")
  • The Yess Legacy (tribute to Moshe Yess), 2013 ("As A Jew")
  • Believe (Six13), 2013 ("Yesh Tikvah")
  • Chai (The Chevra), 2013 ("Ad Olam" - with Yeshiva Boys Choir)
  • HASC 26 (HASC), 2013 ("Family Medley")
  • Am Echad (Ari Goldwag), 2013 ("Min Hameitzar")
  • Simchas Hachaim 3 (Aderet Music), 2014 ("Nodeh Leshimacha", "Zeh Hayom", "Niggun Karlin", "Ashrei Mi")
  • One Day More (Maccabeats), 2014 ("Yesh Tikvah")
  • A Cappella Soul 2 (Ari Goldwag), 2014 ("Min Hameitzar")
  • Shir (Shlomo Rechnitz), 2014 ("Hinei Hinei")
  • HASC 27 (HASC), 2014 ("Dreams Come True", "Shalom Aleichem", "Hashem Melech")
  • 2nd Dance II (The A Team), 2014 ("Melech Malchei Hamlachim")
  • Simchas Hachaim 4 (Aderet Music), 2015 ("Batorah", "Hareini Mizamen", "Nigun Avod", "Habet Na", "Ze Ho'ois")
  • Simchas Hachaim 5 (Aderet Music), 2016 ("Ani Maamin", "Nishmas", "Nigun Chabad", "Teka Teka", "Uvenei")
  • A Cappella Soul 3 (Ari Goldwag), 2016 ("Lehisaneg")
  • Shirei Pinchas (Reb Pinchas Wolf), 2016 ("Torah Tziva", "Hashomayim")
  • The Rebbe's Nigunim (DVD) (Tashbar Media), 2016 ("Asader LeSeudoso")
  • Neemos Hachaim (Aderet Music), 2016
  • Heart Beats (Mishpacha Magazine), 2016
  • Shir 2 (Shlomo Rechnitz), 2016 ("B'chayachon")
  • Simchas Hachaim 7 (Aderet Music), 2016
  • Storm the World (Ruvi New), 2017 ("The Night A Soul Was Saved")
  • Uncle Moishy Volume 19 (Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah Men), 2018 ("A Holiday")
  • Matana Tova (Shlomo Rechnitz), 2018 ("Motzi Asirim")
  • The Great Farby (Chony Milecki), 2018 ("It's Late", "Want You")
  • Ashrecha (Eitan Katz), 2018 ("B'Fi Yeshorim")
  • The Fingerprint Album (Sruli Bodansky), 2019 ("Ki Yaakov")
  • Lev El Hanishomah (Cheskie Wiesz), 2019 ("Shira")
  • Aish 3 (Abie Rotenberg & Shlomo Simcha), 2020 ("Rachamana")
  • How Aw Ya Reb Yid? (Joey Newcomb), 2020 ("Mi K'amcha Yisrael")
  • Off the Record (Baruch Levine), 2020
  • Emes (New York Boys Choir), 2020 ("Vzakeini")
  • Shir 3 (Shlomo Rechnitz), 2021 ("I'm Eshkachech")
  • Shema B'ni (Tzvi Silberstein), 2021 ("Poseach")
  • Taher Libi (Naftali Kalfa), 2021 ("Yehudi Yakar")
  • Tzama 6 (Tzama), 2022 ("Nigun Simcha")
  • Journeys 5 (Abie Rotenberg), 2022 ("Chaverim Kol Yisrael")
  • Miracles 3 (Chayala Neuhaus), 2022 ("Odeh Lakel")

References

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  1. ^ a b c Besser, Yisroel. "On the Mic: Benny Friedman". Mishpacha Special Supplement: "Heart Beats", Sukkos 5777 (Fall 2016), pp. 43–46.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Bensoussan, Barbara. "Speaking to the Soul: Rabbis Manis and Benny Friedman use their talents to awaken the pintele Yid". Mishpacha Special Supplement: "A Father to Follow". Pesach 5771 (Spring 2011), pp. 18–25.
  3. ^ Besser, Yisroel. "On the Wings of a Song". Mishpacha, March 20, 2013, pp. 84–101.
  4. ^ Vogel, Chani. "A Hometown Concert for Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin". Ami, April 6, 2016, pp. 60-62.
  5. ^ Scarr, Cindy (November 13, 2019). "Benny Finds His Magic". Mishpacha Magazine. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Benny Friedman". All Jewish Digital. April 16, 2012. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "About". bennysmusic.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  8. ^ "[Audio] Now in Stores! B'nei Heichala – A Shabbos With Benny Friedman". Conejo Jewish Academy. December 31, 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "March concert unites Benny Friedman and Michael Allen Harrison on Salem stage". Oregon Jewish Life. March 2014. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  10. ^ "Nagila V'nismicha Review". Jewish Music Report. March 28, 2011. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c Hisiger, Rabbi Yitzchok (February 16, 2013). "The Phenomenon of 'Yesh Tikva'". Yated Ne'eman. COLLive. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  12. ^ "Benny Friedman: Yesh Tikvah". Jewish Music Report. December 28, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  13. ^ Hirsch, Ari (November 26, 2013). "Ari Goldwag's 'Am Echad' is Lighting Up the Charts". The Vues. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  14. ^ Lipschutz, Rabbi Pinchos (February 7, 2013). "Yesh Tikvah". matzav.com. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  15. ^ "Yedidim Choir Release Yiddish Version of Yesh Tikvah". Jewish Insights. July 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  16. ^ "[Audio] Now in Stores! B'nei Heichala – A Shabbos with Benny Friedman". Jewish Music Report. December 31, 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  17. ^ "Benny Friedman To Release New Album". Jewish Music Report. December 2, 2014. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  18. ^ "Kulanu Nelech - Booklet (English)". Scribd. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  19. ^ "Coronavirus Propelled Benny Friedman's New Acapella Album". April 28, 2020.
  20. ^ "Benny Friedman – Whispers of the Heart Vol. 2". April 5, 2021.
  21. ^ "Chasoif: A Tribute to Mumbai". Jewish Music Report. November 18, 2009. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  22. ^ "Video: Rubashkin Unity Song Released". matzav.com. October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  23. ^ Eller, Sandy (November 3, 2010). "Long Island, NY – Song Released to Benefit Cedarhurst Man". Vosizneias. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  24. ^ "Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz Releases Album To Raise Funds For Keren Hashviis 'SHIR'". Yiddish Music. August 12, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  25. ^ "FINAL HASC DUET ANNOUNCED – Avraham Fried & Benny Friedman". Jewish Music Report. November 21, 2010. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  26. ^ "HASC 26 Now Available on CD & DVD". Jewish Insights. June 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  27. ^ "HASC 27: 40 Pictures by Stan Weiss to Celebrate 40 Years of Camp HASC". Jewish Insights. January 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  28. ^ "Chanukah Celebration at City Walk – Hollywood, California, USA". chabad.org. December 12, 2009. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  29. ^ "Benny Friedman at Chabad of South Broward (video)". Chabad.org. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  30. ^ "A Slam Dunk for CTeens at Barclays Center". chabad.org. December 5, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  31. ^ "Benny Friedman Sings at Chabad Shluchim Conference". gruntig.net. November 4, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  32. ^ "Benny, Maccabeats to Sing at Barclays". shturem.org. November 19, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  33. ^ Wolfe, Yedida (January 2014). "No Child Left Behind". N'shei Chabad Newsletter. ISBN 978-1311826992. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  34. ^ Wittenberg, Ed (July 29, 2014). "Friedman Ready to Inspire Following Tisha B'Av". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  35. ^ "Benney Friedman's New Music Video "Yesh Tikvah!"". crownheights.ch. November 19, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  36. ^ Eller, Sandy (January 27, 2013). "Watch: Behind the Scenes and Underwater – a Jewish Video Hit". The Jewish Press. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  37. ^ a b "New York – Behind the Scene: Chasidic Singer Shoots Underwater Music Video (photo-video)". Vosizneias. January 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  38. ^ קורן, שירה (November 27, 2016). "אלבום רביעי לבני פרידמן: "מלאו את העולם באור!" | כל הזמן". www.kolhazman.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved November 27, 2016.
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