Daniel Ahaviel, Hasidic Violinist, Performs at Kikar Hamusica in Jerusalem

We've been following the career of the amazing Hasidic Israeli fiddler Daniel Ahaviel ever since we discovered one of his early YouTube videos in 2010 and posted it on Jewish Humor Central.

His fame and his audiences keep growing as does our amazement at his boundless energy, his synthesis of Jewish, Irish, and bluegrass music, and finding that his talent comes from British secular musical roots.

Last year he performed at Kikar Hamusica, a modern complex in the picturesque Nachalat Shiva neighborhood in central Jerusalem and one of the most enchanting places to visit. Every day there are live performances in the square, the repertoire of performances in the square is wide and comprehensive, including rock n ‘roll, samba, klezmer, reggae, pop and Hasidic music.  

Enjoy!

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Throwback Thursday Musical Showcase: Political Commentator Ben Shapiro, at Age 12, Plays Theme from Schindler's List

Ben Shapiro is an American conservative political commentator, media host, bestselling author and attorney. At age 17, he became the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the United States.   

He writes columns for Creators Syndicate, Newsweek, and Ami Magazine, serves as editor emeritus for The Daily Wire, which he founded, and hosts The Ben Shapiro Show, a daily political podcast and live radio show. 

But at age 12 he seemed headed for an entirely different career. In 1996 he was featured at an Israeli Bonds banquet as a violinist. In this clip, Shapiro is introduced by Larry King and plays the theme from Schindler's List.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO. 

 

 

#Throwback Thursday    #TBT

Unexpected Traces in Jewish Places: Shalom Aleichem with Voice, Violin and Marimba

Recognized as one of the world's most successful performing artists of his generation from the People's Republic of China, the New York Times cites Xiang Gao as "a rare and soulful virtuoso."

His musical integrity and virtuoso technique have gained accolades from au-diences and reviewers around the world, and he has performed for many world leaders.

In this video he joins with a marimba player and a vocalist to bring us a very different version of the traditional Kabbalat Shabbat song Shalom Aleichem.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Hava Nagila Around the World - Polish Violin Virtuoso Artur Banaszkiewicz

Today we're adding to our growing collection (numbering more than 50) renditions of Hava Nagila. We always thought of this song as a simple Israeli folk song. But in the hands of an accomplished violin virtuoso like Artur Banaszkiewicz it can be much more.

Banaszkiewicz is a violinist, composer and arranger. He has been performing on stage since he was five. In 1985 he won the first prize at the Young Violinists' Contest in Koszalin. In 1988-1990 he benefited from the Polish Ministry of Culture and Arts scholarship and studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. 

Apart from the classical violin repertoire, he performs virtuoso fantasias and renderings of some famous and very much liked pieces from various realms of music.

Especially popular with Polish and international audiences is a concert show called "THE GYPSIES ENCHANTING EVENING". It comprises pieces inspired by the Gypsy folklore on the one hand, and the Jewish musical tradition on the other. 

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)