Chaim Dovid performs in Lawrence

Singer makes guest appearance at public school

By Yaffi Spodek

Issue of Nov. 21, 2008 / 23 Cheshvan 5769

The halls of Lawrence High School resonated with the sounds of Jewish music on Nov. 10, when Israeli singer Chaim Dovid gave a surprise presentation to an advanced music class.

“I was blown away by his performance,” said Gary Schall, the director of music for the Lawrence Public Schools. “On a personal level, I was so moved by the event.”

Schall, who leads the Lawrence High School marching band, was familiar with Chaim Dovid’s music, having performed several of the singer’s compositions with his band at an Orthodox wedding in August. Upon hearing that Chaim Dovid was in America, Schall attended one of his concerts in Manhattan and spoke to him after the show.

“It was an honor to meet him... I was so moved by his musicianship, artistry and spirituality,” Schall recounted. “I asked if he would do a presentation for my A.P. Music Theory class and he graciously agreed.”

During his performance at the school, Chaim Dovid played guitar and sang his famous “ya ma mai” niggun as well as a Hebrew-English selection from shmoneh esrei, “l’ma’an sh’mo.” The students were particularly excited to hear the niggun, since several had performed the song with the Lawrence marching band at the wedding; two students even joined Chaim Dovid during his presentation and played together with him.

Schall explained that his students study harmony and the theory of music, and also discuss how “music can be used to benefit society and serve the community.” While they hadn’t really touched upon the angle of music and its connection to spirituality, “Chaim Dovid really addressed that,” Schall said. “It was a spiritual message that was really universal that the kids could appreciate, how music makes people feel a connection to a higher source... Everybody was impacted.”

With the help of Asher Mansdorf, a member of the Lawrence school board, the visit turned into a festive event, with the students and the high school’s music teachers enjoying bagels and cream cheese together with their guest.

Schall is also collaborating with Mansdorf to try to arrange for Chaim Dovid to perform with the Lawrence Philharmonic Orchestra later in the year.