New York – Jewish Music’s Elite Sing For Rubashkin [photos]

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    It was Mordechai Ben David’s song 'Unity' that was the inspiration behind the Unity for Justice.New York – Over twenty of the top names in Jewish music have joined together and are recording a song to be released in a few weeks, in support of Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin. The project, entitled “Unity for Justice”, is the brainchild of Danny Finkelman, leader of the Sparks boys choir in Crown Heights and Director of Outreach at the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center.

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    “We want people to be aware that justice was not served in this case,” said Finkelman, in an interview with VIN News. “Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin is a philanthropist, a great individual who is a true role model to all of us. Communities from all over the world have united in support of this very special individual. Unity is the key and we hope that through unity we will bring justice. Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin is just a metaphor. We, the Jewish community, are the prisoners. We are imprisoned by the bars of exile. By uniting in support of a fellow Jew, we can release not just Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin, but ourselves, as well, as we will finally be deserving of true redemption. ”

    It was Mordechai Ben David’s song composed by Shia Mendelowitz “Unity” that was the inspiration behind the Unity for Justice. Finkelman heard the song one day in his car and decided to re-record the song, bringing together a diverse group of some of Jewish music’s best and brightest for the project. The song, which will be redone with a new arrangement and additional lyrics, will feature the voices of Mordechai Ben David, Avraham Fried, Yaakov Shwekey, Lipa Schmeltzer, Yitzchok Meir Helfgott, Benny Friedman, Dovid Gabay, Yeedle, Ohad, Shloime Gertner, Gad Elbaz, Yehuda Green, Ken Burges, Yisroel Werdyger, Shloime Dachs, Dovid Dachs, Beri Weber, 8th Day, Avi and Yossi Piamenta, Dedi, Aaron Razel, Michoel Schnitzler, Dovid Stein, Yossi Goldstein, Sparks Choir and Shira Choir.

    “Mordechai Ben David deserves most of the credit,” said Finkelman. “Aside from allowing us to record in his home studio, he gave us his song, his time and his energy, making Unity for Justice a reality.”

    Unity for Justice is being sponsored by TrapCall.com, a division of TelTech Systems, a telecommunications company in Toms River, New Jersey.

    “We really believe in this cause,” said Meir Cohen, President and co-founder of TelTech. “It is very important to get the word out. The way people from all different communities have united behind Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin is simply amazing. We want everyone to be proud of the unity that has been created so far, which will hopefully help his case. While we can’t understand why something like this has happened, if it can bring achdus in the frum community it would bring about tremendous good from a very bad situation.”

    The devoted askanim of the Klal Yisroel Fund, also known as the Rubashkin Rescue Team, embraced the idea with great appreciation. Rabbi Shlomo Leizer Meisels said, “As mind boggling as the travesty of justice all along this Rubashkin case is, so is the astonishing unity of klal yisroel in this. Here we have a group with the finest talents in Jewish music coming together and crying out loud in favor of our dear brother Sholom Mordchai ben Rivka.”

    “This case sure deserves the maximum awareness possible, and we’re sure this impressive production will be’ezras Hashem deliver this message to many more who will hopefully come to the rescue and do everythin g possible to dispense this vital message even further and reach more and more, as wellas actively taking part financially to enable this uphill battle for the justice and freedom of Sholom Mordchai.”

    “Let’s hope the “unity” klal yisroel exercises in this, will bring the re-“unity” of the suffering noble Rubashkin Family, and very soon the “unity” of the entire Klal Yisroel”.

    Finkelman plans to do a full scale video shoot with all the singers shortly and hopes to release the video on YouTube around Rosh Hashana.

    All photos credit: Ezagui


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    67 Comments
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    Oy
    Oy
    13 years ago

    What is going on???

    Now we sing songs for criminals? Where is the busha???

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    He’s a criminal. Yes he’s getting more than deserved but there are plenty of non crime committing yidden who also need our help. Why should the criminal get all the attention. Go ahead scream at me. A lot of rabanim agree and are just afraid to stand up and say it.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    yitzchock fuches from israel is missing he made a beautiful song on the words of shachris moitzi asirim I think he is the real mamala mokem of rabbi shlomo

    Dov77
    Dov77
    13 years ago

    Great Idea we need to support SMR by all means possabile

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I understand that there is injustice here and we need to do what we can but why call him a “role model? Didn’t he commit a crime?

    Rifka
    Rifka
    13 years ago

    To #4
    Which crime did he commit?

    CountryYossi
    CountryYossi
    13 years ago

    To # 1..How are you not even ashamed to call him a criminal..? He was found NOT guilty on all the child labor charges and now the whole case is is limbo because Judge Reade had a self interest to have him indicted and locked away..Is this the way u prepare your self for the BIG yom hadin .? Your neshumeh is so clean that you believe yom kipper will forgive you for making such statements on a fellow jew.? I dont know your identity but i am sure if you look yourself in the mirror you will see a very different person then u try to show who you are….Shame on YOU….

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    To all of you who have begun to worship rav sholomo mordechai as a martyr and psudo mashiach, stop and think what you are doing. The sentence was clearly excessive and may get reduced on appeal but he was guilty of violating the law. You may not consider his white collar crimes as important for yidden but he was found guilty by a jury. Stop worshiping a convicted felon. There are so many thousands of yidden in desparate need of help even here in NYC but you idiots have becomed fixagted on someone who at a minimum showed terrible judgement and most likely is guilty of multiple felonies.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Bank fraud

    א חוצפה
    א חוצפה
    13 years ago

    (Reply to #1 )well if you find him as a criminal without you being involved particular in this case,I am sure I can find you as a criminal either!its a shame what a small head you are!its that small’¤’we are helping and having in mind all jews who are in trouble!but SMR was handled severely as a murder or perhaps even worse!!that Y we support him out of the ORDINARY!!and to you #7 …well if you don’t help your neighbor doesn’t mean everybody is alike with you!WE SIMPLY DO HELP!!!!

    BPHocker
    BPHocker
    13 years ago

    Vomit.

    13 years ago

    1, 4,5 He is a criminal. He was not honest but not 27 years in prison. Before you again say a bad word about him go through the records and see how many people got slap in the wrist for worse. Check geitner, rangel, barney frank, this guys also belong in Jail but are instead in our government rechamonus listlon

    13 years ago

    Why all name calling? Can’t we have a normal conversation about it? Those are calling him a criminal are not saying the punishment is not excessive. We all know it is and should do all we can to minimize it. However, what is bothering them is that why is this what is mobilizing klal yisroel when we have so many bigger issues to take care of and we are spending our resources to support someone who everyone admits commited a crime. Are we sending a wrong message to our children by treating a criminal like a hero? Please explain what i am missing

    smart guy
    smart guy
    13 years ago

    #18 very well said, I can’t agree more with you. #19 since when can a gabbai tzedokeh take 50%, my point is askonim will rather do and be involved in a case where they get famous people talk about them in mikvah etc… Btw, I don’t see where and why you need mosiach badly, don’t be stupid, moshiach is not stupid he is not coming to me and you, he is way smarter then that, if exsists of curse.

    13 years ago

    Hello, Chaverim,

    I signed several petitions pleading for a proportionate sentence for Shalom Rubashkin.

    I don’t want to receive a motion for a “new trial”, so by way of full disclosure, my family and I have enjoyed tasty Rubashkin products for many years 🙂

    Just an idea – how about a new song for the abuse survivors? I’m guessing that some of the involved musicians may be reading this post and the comments. I have, somewhat, a music and voice background. Maybe we can work together. I would welcome your contact.

    Elliot Pasik, Esq.
    President, Jewish Board of Advocates for Children, Inc.
    [email protected]

    sane
    sane
    13 years ago

    How about a song for Gilad Shalit? Do chareidim only care about chareidim?

    Herzog
    Herzog
    13 years ago

    This is going to be some 27 years if we forget about every other Jew who needs our attention, effort, energy and money. HEY JEWS! This guy in prison? We plan on devoting everything we have to him. Forget about what he did, he gave money to HIS community! Where can we meet to give money and sing and promise to say tehillim night and day for HIM? What? Someone else needs it? Silly notion.

    sam
    sam
    13 years ago

    The fact that the entire klal yisroel is watching this case shows that it is the most important tzedakah case that exists today, sholom mordechai is a pure tzaddik he provided kosher to thousands and thousands and gave away millions…m
    And if he was stam a criminal he would not be spoken about the way he is, just like all the others in federal prison are not spoken about, he is a korban for klal yisroel and he will be out very soon.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Reply to #24
    “he is a korban for klal yisroel and he will be out very soon”

    And who will be the korban chatas for what he has done and the damage his actions have caused to yidden throughout the country? He is NOT the most important issue facing jews today and the fixation on his conviction to the exclusion of concern regarding much more important issues is disgusting beyond belief. Hashem yarachem on those of you who who blindly have made a petty felon into a hero.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    He’s a criminal. Yes he’s getting more than deserved but there are plenty of non crime committing yidden who also need our help. Why should the criminal get all the attention. Go ahead scream at me. A lot of rabanim agree and are just afraid to stand up and say it.

    What's in your water?
    What's in your water?
    13 years ago

    Why are all the haters out here today?
    What’s the matter with you people?

    toronto
    toronto
    13 years ago

    The most well recognized name in jewish music Boruch Levine was left out. I heard they waited for him to fly across the country to end off the niggun.

    sealer
    sealer
    13 years ago

    I guess they are just trying to raise money to help him with his tremendous legal fees.

    SG11224
    SG11224
    13 years ago

    We are not haters.
    We just don’t feel the urgency as long as the family
    still makes LOTS of $$$ importing meat from Uraguay,
    and distributes meat throughout the USA.

    We also may have had some dealing with them, and
    won’t publish loshen hora especially in Chodesh Elul.

    Time for Teshuva my friend.

    I WONDER
    I WONDER
    13 years ago

    I wonder if any one of u learmt hilcos pidyin shevuim (eXcuse the spelling) I don’t recall anywhere saying the man has to be innocent in order for the mitzva which is doche shabbos to exist when a jew is being held by goyim their is a mitzva to redeem him no matter what (unless he’s a danger to society such as a killer) besides what do u call truth because it was decided by a jury of people makes it true and justice in which their is a difference. On these people whose grandparents prob killed jews they are wgho u rely on to make ure judgment if the non jewish court are so. Just why does the gemarah consider them nothing but a kangaroo court

    13 years ago

    reply to #34 :

    Maybe YOU should learn the halachos of Pidyon Shvuyim. This was for people thrown into prisons where they were tortured and beaten and were in actual severe danger.

    A person sent to a prison for being found guilty of committing crimes is not in danger of his life or health in the United States.

    you want to cry pidyon Shvuyim, then work for Gilad Shalit, or someone who is in mortal danger being imprisoned. What you are claiming is just a joke.

    13 years ago

    reply to #35 :

    Say what you will, this man was tried in court and found guilty by a jury. He is a convicted felon, no matter what you want to say.

    the fact that his punishment did not fit the crime does not take away from the fact that he was tried and convicted, no matter how much you all try to make this the judge’s fault, or the prosecutors’ fault, or the jury’s fault.

    He was found guilty, period. You want to try to get his sentence reduced, I am completely with you 100%.

    But please, please, please stop making him sound like one of the Lamed Vov. His own attorneys admitted that he took very substantial money out of the company for “business expenses” to redecorate and do construction on his house, and to buy silver, etc., claiming he would use it for “entertaining” business clients.

    How you all fall for this like sheep is incredible. And watch how people will now creep out of the woodwork, claiming I am a “hater” just because I’m not hypnotized by the BS people have now decided to actually sing about.

    Maybe they should make another version of “We are the World” to benefit Rubashkin.

    I wonder what all the other Jews in jail think, though…..

    13 years ago

    This has been the biggest con job on the Jewish people I have ever heard about or read about in all of history.

    I have no idea whether it is the result of mass hypnosis or what, but it is clear that when Rubashkin gets out of prison, the frum community will no doubt annoint him King of the Jews.

    BUT??
    BUT??
    13 years ago

    So we all agree that he did some bad things, (as if we never did) so how can you say “he did get more than he deserved, but…. HOW CAN YOU SAY “BUT” ????? Clearly you don’t know what it means to sit a day in prison!!! This judge is a clear case of a “modern haman” and he actions far outweigh rubashkins actions, she’s a judge!! And we must all stand up against her

    FactsofLife
    FactsofLife
    13 years ago

    The only crime he committed was causing the bank to lose money by advancing a loan that he would have been able to cover had the government not sabotaged his business behind the scenes. Halevai the vast majority of Jewish inmates would have this very minor level of crime.

    All those who call him a criminal are motzi shem ra and extremely gullible to the anti Semitic press yellow journalism. They should worry about their own din when they are so ureasonably strict with others.

    Shlomo
    Shlomo
    13 years ago

    How come they left out some of the finest singers? Simcha Weber, Mendy Wald, Yossi Rose, Shmilu Rosenberg, Avromi Flamm, Yisroel Williger, Mendy Werdyger, Menachem Phillip, Dudu Fisher, Michoel Streicher, Mendy Jerufi, Shloime Cohen, Efraim Mendelsohn, Dov Levine, Dov Hoffman, Abie Rotenberg, Gershon Veroba, Lenny Salamon, Matisyahu, Schwebel, Scharf, and Levine, Country Yossi, Yossi Sonnenblick, Eli Gerstner, Yerachmiel Begun, Benzion Shenker, Abish Brodt and Family, Ari Klein, Isaac Honig, Eli Beer, Shua Kessin, Sandy Shmueli, Yoel Sharabi, Chaim Yisrael, Chaim Dovid, Yosef Chaim Shwekey, Yumi Rosenbaum, Shimon Kramer, Shlomo Simcha Sufrin, Yitzy Spinner, The Rabbi’s Sons, Yaakov Motzen, Yaakov Stark, Benny Rogoznitzky, Benzion Miller, and the list probably goes on and on. If you have any more to add to the list please do at which point someone should contact the master Sheya Mendlowitz and have him bring all of the above together for SMR at which point any song sung all together would most definitely scare law enforce$ent into setting Rubashkin free. Looking forward.

    13 years ago

    reply to #45 : “…by stepping outside of her role as a judge, she opens herself to lawsuits, as she has absolute immunity only in her role as a judge, not as a law enforcement officer”

    Oh, really?

    Can you then explain why not even one big mouth like you has yet tried to sue her as you suggest?

    Once you attempt to deny that SMR was found guilty and is, at this point in time, a convicted felon found guilty by a jury in a court of law, it is difficult to build an argument that makes any sense based on such obviously false foundations.
    .
    So you’re suing the judge, the jury’s grandparents killed Jews, the White House is behind the whole thing, and let’s dupe all the Jewish singers into singing a Hebrew “we are the world” for SMR.

    What are you planning to sing for Madoff and Dwek? Aren’t they Jews in jail every bit as much as SMR is? Don’t THEY deserve a Jewish Kum-ba-ya, song,. too?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    now that weinstein from lakewood was just aressted today for running a ponzi scheme will he be getting an album too?

    Q
    Q
    13 years ago

    So long as it isn’t mixed seating. We don’t want the eidah upset at anyone……

    13 years ago

    You watch too many bad movies, and don’t know what you are talking about.

    I work with ex-prisoners for a living, and you are completely misinformed. EVERYBODY is in danger in the prison system if they don’t follow the accepted rules of conduct. Nobody cares if you’re Jewish or not, just whether you fail to show the proper respect and do not insult or disrespect the wrong people. This is real life.

    I do have contact with such people, but obviously not the kind of contact that you do. If they are no smarter than you, it is no surprise they got caught and ended up where they are.

    Reply to #51 :
    Q Says: I’m to tell you but you are totally misinformed on this subject. A Jew, particularly one easily recognised as Jewish, is absolutely in danger of severe physical harm in a medium or maximum security federal prison. Perhaps, perhaps, he or she is not in as great danger as one in many state prisons or local jails but certainly in danger of real physical harm.
    I am somewhat jealous of your obvious lack of contact with anyone who has been in a prison (not a prison farm or prison camp, a plain old fashioned prison) for an extended stay

    13 years ago

    reply to #53 :

    “Anti-Semitizem”?

    If you can’t even spell it, you don’t know it when you see it, and your spelling wasn’t even close.

    13 years ago

    How very sad that nothing like this is being done for Jonathan Pollard and not one commenter even mentioned the heartbreaking situation he has been in for the last 25 years. His only “crime” was giving information to Israel that was crucial for their security…information the United States signed an agreement to give and did not. The median sentence for this is 2-4 years. Read the facts page at jonathanpollard.org before anyone spews more lies about this and shows off how ignorant they are. It is absolutely mind numbing that there is virtual silence over this continued travesty of justice and overt anti-semitism. I truly believe he would be released if enough of us cared enough to show their outrage. If only…

    Month
    Month
    13 years ago

    This is a Reply to # 1 and to all of you who are sitting in your house and writing stupid comments and screaming criminal for a jaw who have done nothing wrong and is just a victim from the american liberal ANTISAMITS

    To all off I can wish 1 think

    You should get the same what shulem had

    Shame on you

    You are the Jewish KAPOYS who killed their own brothers in ww2

    SHAME ON. YOU

    13 years ago

    Reply to Month, comment #57:

    Who is the jaw, and who are the ANTISAMITS? And what language is this in?

    First of all, #1 is not sitting in my house or screaming anything, and the small part of your sneeze that i understood compared Rubashkin to the “KAPOYS” who killed other Jews in WW II? What are “KAPOYS” in your language?

    I am not an apologist for SMR, but I think he was way too harshly punished for what he did, and I hope his sentence is severely decreased anyway.

    But what you are writing (or trying to write in whatever language your home planet uses) is not only stupid, but very offensive.

    You don’t have to like Rubashkin, but please don’t compare him to killers, he may be a criminal, but he is not in any way a killer, he just made some legal mistakes. And PLEASE find someone from Earth to write your next comment!

    chestnutter
    chestnutter
    13 years ago

    Way to go Meir & Eli!! You guys are great! Keep up the good work!

    galicianer
    galicianer
    13 years ago

    Everyone here needs to be reminded of one major point regarding American “justice”: Just because one is convicted by a jury, it doesn’t make him truly guilty.

    Also, #22 , seems you don’t care much for chrareidim. When you will be making nice comments about about everyone else outside your own selfish sphere, you can criticize the others.
    Wanna distribute all the songs recorded for Shalit?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Whoever claims that SMR is a theif and desereves punishment please listen to sonme of his wifes interviews…I think they have a lot of batchun and are very nice people, such people don’t just do crimes bec they believe parnusa comes from above, so don’t just write things without knowing facts

    13 years ago

    reply to Q, comment #60 :

    You are more than welcome, if you enjoy them, I have more for you.

    The only thing “it” proves is that you are wrong, and proud of it.