The great Hasidic singers Avraham Fried and Yaakov Shwekey, who reside in the USA, joined together last Thursday in Beit Shemesh for a joint performance. It has been 15 years since they last appeared together on stage.
At first glance, it may seem like just another routine performance where each of them visits the Holy Land several times a year and enchants the audience of Jewish music enthusiasts. However, this year fate had a different plan, and the unity and connection were not limited to the realms of music alone. Israeli society has been torn for about seven months and overseas, there is a great concern for our well-being on the part of our brothers and sisters residing in the diaspora.
In the past few years, Fried and Shwekey have been collaborating on many joint performances with Israeli musicians, blending various music styles. The highlight among them is the connection between Aviv Gefen and Avraham Fried a few years ago. Can their unity be brought from the stages of "Brechat HeSultan" and "Heichal HaTarbut" to the main stage of Israel? Together, they share with "Srugim" their feelings about the turbulent events in the country and also drop a subtle hint about a new album that is on the way.
Unity - through music
Shwekey: "I hear from others about everything happening here, it seems like we need to continue with performances like in Beit Shemesh to convey a message of unity, because there's nothing like music to bring us together, without the media. In order to create a connection between us, we need to touch people's hearts."
Fried: "Each person works in their field to do what is required, and we, as singers, strive to unite through singing."
A new album is on the way
You haven't released new music in a long time
Fried and Shwekey: "We are working on something new, it is nearing completion."
