Lenny Solomon - Best Episode Ever!

SHLOCK ROCK RULES!!!!!

Lenny Solomon and Etan G rocked Omaha this past Shabbos!!!

Omaha, Nebraska was the first stop on the Shlock Rock Winter Wonderland Tour of 2014. 

We kicked off the Shabbos with a community wide Friday night dinner at the shul.  Lenny did some hits off of his Album Shabbos in Liverpool - Lenny's album where he put all of Shabbos davening to Beatles Tunes. 

On Shabbos we had a very special episode of Good Shabbos Nebraska - America's favorite Shabbos morning talk show. 

Omaha Singer Song writer Karen Javitch came on the show and 11 year old Danny Denninberg sang two hits off of her children's album - Who Knows One.  The songs were great, and the crowd was blown away with Danny's talent.  That kid is going places!

Then we had Dr. Eyal Margalit and Aryeh Epstein come on the show.  With the help of Dr. Howard Gendelman they have organized a med center chaburah that meets every Thursday at the Nebraska Medical Center.  For the last year they have been learning messechet Megillah and they recently finished.  They came on the show and taught us a bit about what thy learned, and they sponsored the Kiddush after the show where we enjoyed their special cholent that they personally prepared before Shabbos and they made a formal siyum for us all to celebrate. 

Next, I welcomed on Dan Gilbert.  Dan was one of the winners of last year's TOYO award and he was the one who nominated me for this year.  He told us a bit about the award and how he was proud to be the Jewish recipient last year and how it demonstrates to the greater Omaha community the important impact of the Jewish community and how it contributes to the diverse tapestry of our city.

After Dan we brought out Imac and the Zoester (Imac is actually on vacation so Elinor filled in again for her this week).  After their segment they started laying down a beat doing that hip cup banging thing that the Macabeats made popular in their dror yikrah video.  As they laid down the beat the crowd started clapping and then Etan G - the Jewish rapper made his dramatic entrance and started rapping his hit song "Time."  It was amazing!

Etan got in the seat and told us a bit about how he got into Jewish rapping and the impact that it has had on Jewish kids.  Then we introduced the one and only LENNY SOLOMON!!!!

What an incredible honor for me to welcome Lenny Solomon to Good Shabbos Nebraska!  To date the most famous person that I had on the show was Boris Gulko, which was a thrilling and unforgettable experience, but Lenny was different.  Besides the fact that Lenny and Shlock Rock are known throughout the world, I am from the generation of Jewish kids that Lenny had a profound influence upon.  For me personally this episode was something that I will never forget!

Lenny spoke about the origins of Shlock Rock and then - as we always do on Good Shabbos Nebraska - we went straight to the parshah.  We talked about how the Torah says that the purpose of the ten plagues was so that Pharoah, the Egyptians, the Jews, and the whole world for all of history should know that there is only one God. 

Lenny pointed out that is the major theme of the entire Tanach, and it is the central message that the Jewish people have been charged with sharing with the world. 

Lenny's latest project is a rock opera that he composed called "Daniel of Babylon."  Daniel of Babylon tells the story of the Biblical Daniel, his trials and tribulations as the first recorded diaspora Jew.  It also tells how throughout the story we see again and again how the world leaders came to recognize that Hashem is the one true God. 

Lenny has already finished Daniel of Babylon and he is looking for a few more investors to get the project playing on Broadway.  I think that this could be the next Joseph and the Technicolored Dream Coat.  If you are interested in investing please reach out to Lenny on his website. 

At Kiddush we had the siyum and after Kiddush Lenny answered some questions and sang some songs off of his Shabbos in Liverpool album.

After Shabbos Lenny and Etan G rocked the house with a Shlock Rock concert!  They packed the shul and they sold 100 CDs after the show! 

They pulled out all the hits!  We started the concert with his classic "Eliyahu" to lead into Havdalah. 

After Havdallah he pulled out "Havdallah! (Have a sniff see the light have a sip)
They sang classic hits like "Everyone knows its Rashi" "we got a strong desire" and of course "Minyan man"
Etan G pounded out Motzi and Yo Yo Yarmulka!
They did a Hebrew set with Lenny's classic Hinei Matov, Am Yisrael Chai, and some modern Israeli hits where he brought on our Israeli Shaliach Eliad Eliyahu to sing.
He did a holiday set where they played "Tu Bishvat" "Achashveirosh" I can't get no Humintashen" and "let's get this seder started!"
He did some Beatles hits, and closed with "To Unite All Jews."

Over the last ten years I saw bunch of concerts from some veteran bands including U2, Bon Jovi, and of course They Might Be Giants.  And yet last night's concert was by far and away the best concert I have seen since probably the last time that I saw Shlock Rock!

Lenny Solomon is like a fine wine.  he gets better with age.  He is to my generation what Shlomo Carlebach was to the generation before and what Yoseele Rosenblatt was to his generation. The best part of last night was to see all of the kids, including mine, who are now second generation Shlockers. 

Judaism has a hard time competing with the secular culture, but thanks to Lenny we have tools to bring Torah and mitzvoth front and center to our children.   He elevates the secular culture and uses it as an ally to teach Torah rather than view it as an adversary.  He makes Judaism fun and exciting, and hje makes being Jewish cool! 

My father bought Shlock Rock cassettes that we played non-stop in the car when I was a kid and they had a profound influence on me. 

Last night I had the privilege to buy them for my children on CD and to purchase some downloads so that I can provide the same inspiring Jewish experience to my kids that my parents gave to me.

Thank you Lenny for everything you do!  You are a Jewish hero. 

Keep on Shlocking and we will see you again next year in Omaha on Good Shabbos Nebraska - Where every Shabbos is a shabbaton!

Lenny Solomon on Good Shabbos Nebraska!

This Shabbos on Good Shabbos Nebraska - America's favorite shabbos morning talk show - we have the one and only Lenny Solomon!!!

Lenny Solomon rivals Shlomo Carlebach as the most influential Jewish musician in American Jewish history.  Lenny has performed in more communities in the United States than anyone other than perhaps Shlomo Carlebach and Yosselle Rosenblatt.

Lenny brought Torah, Jewish pride, and Jewish values to countless kids throughout American by rockin it out to songs that they already knew.  Lenny went to places where Jewish kids didn't know anything at all about Judaism and he inspired them to go and learn about their Jewish heritage.

Lenny's only agenda was inspiring young Jews.  He didn't push any particular brand of Judaism.  He got kids excited and inspired them to go learn.

Lenny was an inspiration to me when I was a kid.   For me, his most powerful song was the song Minayn Man.  To this day, I get choked up when I hear the song.

Minyan Man was very influential in my decision to dedicate my life to helping small Jewish communities like Omaha.

Here are the lyrics.  I expect everyone in Omaha to know them by 10 am tomorrow when we sing it with Lenny on Good Shabbos Nerbraska!

Minyan Man

I stepped off the bus in Mobile, Alabama
The sun was slowly setting by the bay
It was six o' clock on a summer Friday's afternoon
Shabbos was an hour away

I walked around the town
Wondering what to do
'Cause Shabbos is no time to be Feeling blue
And then I saw a man
Who looked the same way, too
I was quite relieved to find a fellow Jew

I asked the man I saw how many Jews in this town
He said to me
"There used to be a minyan around
But one of us passed away
And we've been feeling down
Yet now it seems as though another Jew has been found
Won't you stay with us for Shabbos, Minyan Man?"

We walked down Winston Avenue
A block then two more
And went into a shop that read "Closed" on the door
There was a Minyan in the back of the hardware store
Nine men, waiting for one more

We ushered in the Shabbos
With a beautiful song
The Chazzan had a voice that was clear and strong
We sang out as one
All Shabbos long
Then Maariv came again
I had to be moving on

I asked the man I saw…

Now, that was twenty years ago
But the vision is clear
And I think about it now and then
'Cause the place is still dear
And when I make that trip to Mobile
Once every year
I remember the man who prayed here

Now, the Minyan is gone
A few died
Some moved on
But the back of the store still remembers this song
The nine men who waited
Then one came along
And Shabbos was carried on a song

I asked the man I saw…

S1 E13 - Mid Season Special!

This week is the final episode of Good Shabbos Nebraska before our mid season hiatus so we are going out with a bang!  We have an incredible line up of some of the best talent in Jewish music today!

Headline our Shabbos extravaganza is the ONE AND ONLY LEGENDARY LENNY SOLOMON!

I cannot believe we got Lenny for Shabbos.  He is touring the US and he called me and told me that he wants to appear on Good Shabbos Nebraska! 

Coming with Lenny is his protege, the original Jewish Rapper - Etan G!  Here's the controversial clip where Etan G was kicked off of the chabad telethon in LA for his provocative song Motzi!

Also on the show this week we have Beth Israel member, singer song writer Karen Javitch.  Karen hosts a radio show in Omaha and she is a youtube sensation!  Her song in the nursery has received over 5 million hits from people all over the world!



Also on the show this week, is my cousin Seth.  Seth was a child prodigy, he has been playing the keyboard since he was about 3 years old.  At 12 years old he performs with his father in the Avi Maza orchestra, and he is a finalist in the international competition "Jewish Kids Got Talent."
Here's a clip of Seth playing some Jazz.  This kid is really incredible!

It is going to be an unbelievable Shabbos! 

Friday night Lenny is going to lead us in an inspiring Friday Night dinner and teach us some hits off of his latest Album, "Shabbos in Liverpool." 

Shabbos we are going to have an incredible episode of Good Shabbos Nebraska.

And After Shabbos Lenny is going to rock the house - Shlock Rock Style!

It all begins Friday at 6pm ONLY at Beth Israel Synagogue - where every Shabbos is a shabbaton!

S1 E13 of Good Shabbos Nebraska - Musical Legend Lenny Solomon

This week we have the great privilege of having the one and only LENNY SOLOMON as a guest on Good Shabbos Nebraska.

Lenny Solomon is probably one of the greatest living legends in the Jewish Music scene today.  He has recorded over 30 albums and has probably performed in more Jewish communities throughout the world than any musician other than maybe Shlomo Carlebach and Yossele Rosenblatt.  

Lenny was in Omaha almost 20 years ago and for the last ten years I have been anxiously waiting for an opportunity to bring him back.  

Thanks to Good Shabbos Nebraska, and some generous sponsors, he's is coming back!

We have had some amazing episodes this season, but this one looks like it may be our best episode yet!  

Come early this week because we are going to fill up quickly!  If you come at 10 there may not be a seat.  

We are going to open the doors to shul at 7:00 am on Shabbos morning but people can start lining up any time after midnight on Wednesday night.  

You do not want to miss this amazing episode of Good Shabbos Nebraska!  This and every Shabbos at 10am ONLY at Beth Israel Syangogue - where every shabbos is a shabbaton!

Musical guests closing out the first half of Good Shabbos Nebraska Season 1

As the new year approaches we are getting ready to close out the first half of season one of Good Shabbos Nebraska.

And what a season it has been so far!  To recap:

Shmuley Boteach spoke with us about suffering, Michael Jackson, Jesus, and sex.
Jonathan Rosenbaum gave us an archaeological tour of Avraham's travels.
Jonathan  Adelman briefed us Syria, Iran, and the Middle East.
Meir Bar Ilan introduced us to ancient Jewish magic, witchcraft, and numerology.
Moshe Goldfeder told us about polygamy and robots.
Boris Gulko gave us first hand accounts of his life as one of the most celebrated Russian Refusenik.
Avital Chizhik took on Amos Oz and Vladamir Putin.
Sheba Mason had us rolling in the aisles.
Sabrina Thomas informed us about Christian Zionism.
Josh Yuter challenged everything we thought we knew about being Jewish.
Sjimon Den Hollander spoke to us about speaking with Muslims.

Every week has been great conversations and great Torah.  Good Shabbos Nebraska is doing better than I ever could have imagined.  New people are coming, and our regulars are coming more often!  And people are sponsoring some great kiddushes for after shul!

This is the future of shul!  Stay tuned for a Good Shabbos Nebraska tribute show at a shul near you!

The next two weeks we have a line up of incredible Jewish musical talent!

This week we have the Potash Twins.  If you have not heard of these guys yet, you will very soon.  Adeev and Ezra Potash, two local Omaha boys and identical twins, have taken the New York Jazz scene by storm!  They have already played with some of the biggest names in jazz and their following is growing stronger by the day!

This Shabbos we are going to talk with them about being Jewish celebrities, challenges and opportunities, and they are going to tell us about TWINTUITION - there special powers that they say makes them a great music team.  It was the subject of their recent Ted Talk!

Next week we have the one and only - LENNY SOLOMON!!!!  Lenny Solomon just may be the greatest Jewish musician ever!  He started the band Shlock Rock in the mid 0s and since then he has inspired literally hundreds of thousands of Jewish kids throughout the world!

I am a huge Lenny fan, I have been since my bar mitzvah.  I cannot wait to have a chance to interview him in person on Good Shabbos Nebraska!

In addition, he is going to be bringing Etan G!  The Jewish Rapper!!!

It is going to be an unforgettable start studded two weeks and will take us with a bang into our mid winter Hiatus!

When we come back in February we have an incredible line up of great guests, EVERY WEEK!

So don't miss a single episode of Good Shabbos Nebraska - EVERY SHABBOS ONLY AT BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE - WHERE EVERY SHABBOS IS A SHABBATON!