There are certain things you come to expect every year at the HASC Concert in Lincoln Center. You expect to see a capacity audience filled with passionate music lovers, with dignitaries, with celebrities, with the many dedicated friends of HASC, and with some of the most prominent members of our community. You come to expect a polished-to-perfection Neginah Orchestra under the direction of Yisroel Lamm playing an opening Overture that will take your breath away. You come to expect the most celebrated and outstanding performers in the world of Jewish music, joining together in top form. And you come to expect a video presentation of Camp HASC in action that will invariably bring you to tears.
But even those of us who have been to many HASC concert performances and have watched the event becoming bigger and better over time are still completely enchanted and captivated every time we come. There’s something about the majesty of the Hall, the thrill of the music, and the striking significance of this cause, that makes the HASC performance a treat for the senses as well as the soul. Ask the many HASC Concert-goers who come back year after year after year. Even though A Time For Music is somehow consistently scheduled during the coldest days of the season, they are undeterred. The magic of this annual event is going to be a source of inspiration to last all winter long.
This year’s performance was, of course, irresistible. Avremel and Lipa? Two mega-talented undisputed superstars? What could possibly be better than that? Add to this a sprinkling of Dedi with his charming self-deprecating humor, and it’s no wonder that this was a performance that was sold out in record time.
As Master of Ceremonies, Nochum Segal pointed out that Lipa and Avremel certainly make an interesting pair. "One of them," he said, "was the original star of A Time For Music I. The other was still in kindergarten at the time!" Yet if each one has his own style of singing and represents his own distinct genre of entertainment, we learned that there is an unmistakable chemistry between the two that transcends all. Onstage they sang, they danced, they kibbitzed, they shmoozed. And in doing so, they treated us to an amazing and unforgettable evening.
There’s always lots of different things going on during a HASC performance. While the stars sang their hearts out, a huge video screen offered more entertainment. Avremel in a shtreimel? Lipa in a top hat? Clever captions ("Avremel, can I convince you to get a new pair of glasses?). And who is that guy climbing down a rope from the ceiling? Welcome to the HASC Concert experience.
In 1963, Rabbi Mordechai and Mrs. Blanche Kahn, OB"M introduced special education to the Jewish world with the creation of HASC. Since then, HASC has grown to include a large network of programs, centers, schools, and divisions to serve the special needs community in many different ways. The name HASC has become synonymous with excellence. And yet, the crowning jewel of the HASC network continues to be its summer camp program.
Located in Parksville, New York Camp HASC provides special education and recreational programming for children and adults with various developmental delays. This state-of-the-art facility has a full medical staff on premises and is designed to meet the needs of its handicapped campers. The dedicated staff and counselors of Camp HASC do everything possible to allow these campers to thrive. There’s something magical in the air at the Camp, something that allows miracles to happen on a continuous basis. No wonder it’s been called "The Happiest Place in the World" and "Heaven on Earth."
Concert Chairman Abe Eisner, CEO of GFI Mortgage Bankers, thanked the co-sponsors of this event. He also quoted the Lakewood Mashgiach, Rav Mattisyahu Solomon, Shlita, who once told the counselors and campers at HASC, "When Moshiach comes, you will be there up front to greet him. Please remember to tell him that I am a good friend."
The evening’s Honorary Concert Co-Chairmen were Larry and Ronnie Birnbaum and Allen I. Gross. Co-Sponsors included Revival Home Health Care, Atlantic Office Technology, and Apple Bank for Savings. The Executive Committee were Barry Hertz, Shmuel Kahn, and Shlomo Stern.
An Alumni Award was presented to Abe and Rikki Kopolovich. Abe is a former counselor at Camp HASC, a place which he says continues to inspire him each and every day. "The person I am today," he said, "is a reflection of the experiences that I had at HASC." Both Abe and Rikki are known as true Ambassadors of Chessed.
New York Senator Charles Schumer appeared on stage, saying that "HASC is an amazing organization that exemplifies our Jewish values of tzedaka and chesed." Senator Schumer introduced the Speaker of the Assembly of the State of New York, Sheldon Silver, and presented him with a plaque. "I’m a big fan of HASC," said Mr. Silver. "And as long as I’m Speaker you will have a true friend and ally in your state government." He also said that "I am thrilled to share a stage with Lipa and Avraham Fried."
Sadly, three close friends of HASC were lost during this year, and a few moments were taken to recognize their contributions and pay tribute to their memories. Izzy Taubenfeld, founder of Sameach Music, has always been a strong supporter of HASC. Chezky Ehrenfeld has volunteered to help HASC in any possible way. And Aliza Shull, a young wife and mother, was a devoted counselor at Camp HASC. In a moving tribute, Avremel sang ‘Gam Ki Elech’ together with Aliza’s husband, Gabi, who is a member of the HASC Concert choir.
The mood changed quickly when Dedi dropped by. Warm, witty, and always entertaining, he joined the two superstars in a medley of old favorites. Then Lipa and Avremel challenged each other in a dueling duo of traditional vs. innovative songs, proving that there’s no such thing as old music or new music, as long as it inspires the spirit and uplifts the soul.
The evening was passing fast, way too fast for most of us who wanted to cherish every moment and hold on to it forever. Rav Yitzchok Fuchs joined Lipa in a rousing rendition of "Halilu". A clever video presentation (Was that Uncle Moishie?) proves that Lipa can even entertain us while waiting on line in the bank. A heart tugging video offered a glimpse of the wonders at Camp HASC while Avremel sang his own stunning composition, "Changing the World One Smile at a Time." Before we knew what hit us, the Finale began. One last burst of song and music and inspiration.
And then it was over. Silently, we filed out of the awesome Avery Fisher Hall into the dark and frigid New York City evening, each of us clinging tightly to our own favorite memories. The cold didn’t really bother us that night, and neither did the dark. We had just been fortunate enough to experience A Time For Music XXIII. And we knew that its vibrant energy and deep inspiration would keep us warm and cozy for a long time to come.
