Yaakov Shwekey
Encyclopedia
Yaakov Shwekey (born in 1977) is an Orthodox
Jewish American recording artist, and musical entertainer. Through his father, he is of Egyptian
and Syrian
Sephardic heritage, although his mother is Ashkenazic.
for a short period of time. As a young man Shwekey learned in Rabbi Menachem Davidowitz's yeshiva (TIUNY) in Rochester, NY, and for a short time in Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Toronto
. For a period of time he was an unofficial wedding singer.
His debut solo album, Shomati, was released in 2001. To date, ten albums have been released, including both albums of original songs and compilations of covers (an album of wedding songs and an album of kumzitz songs). Less than one year after releasing an album, Ad Bli Dai, Shwekey released a brand new all middle eastern style songs album, titled, Libi Bamizrach - My Heart is in the East (July 2010). While Shwekey used some of his well known past composers, this time he also went to many of the composers and arrangers who have become mainstays working with the current Mizrachi genre in Israel. Featuring 10 brand new songs, and one traditional Sfardic melody, Libi Bamizrach includes songs composed by Yitzi Waldner, Yoni Rohe, Moshe Wertzberger, Yonatan Razel, Eli Laufer. Shwekey has headlined numerous concerts, including 3 HASC concerts and an OHEL
concert. Although Yaakov's popularity is not nearly as close to some other orthodox singers such as Mordechai Ben David, who is known as 'The King of Jewish Music' and Avraham Fried, the second most popular orthodox singer, Yaakov is however among the top singers today with popular stars such as Lipa Schmeltzer, Shloime Gertner and Dovid Gabay.
Some of Shwekey's songs have garnered a substantial following. His most famous song is Racheim composed by Pinky Weber. The lyrics are from the prayer after eating, asking God to have mercy on the Jewish nation and the city of Jerusalem. As Shwekey describes this song, "It’s a prayer. It’s not just a song. We connect with G-d and ask Him to have mercy". In 2008/2009 Vehi She'omdah, composed by Yonatan Razel
and debuted on his Live in Caesaria concert DVD, and later rerecorded on Ad Bli Dai became a major hit. Many of his songs, including Shomati (from the Talmud) composed by Yossi Green
and Im Eshkacheich, from Psalms
137, have found considerable popularity as Jewish wedding songs.
were slated to headline a major concert in Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium. The event was produced by Moshe Ben-Zimra and billed as a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.
Leading chareidi Rabbis, including Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, the Gerrer
and Belzer
Rabbis, Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman, Rabbi Shmuel Wosner
, and Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg signed a ban which appeared in the chareidi press forbidding participation or attendance of the event or similar events.
Yaakov Shwekey issued a response that he had already posed the question to his rabbi, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
, when an earlier concert featuring him, along with Mordechai Ben David
, was also banned. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef responded that there is absolutely no prohibition as long as it is a completely separate seating event. Neither Shwekey nor Fried pulled out of the concert.
His wife Jenine is a founder of "Special Children's Center of Lakewood", a respite and support program for special needs children and Shwekey also volunteers much time and energy to this philanthropic endeavor. In an interview with the Yated Ne'eman, Shwekey said "I’m convinced that the success I’ve experienced in my music career is all because of our work with these special children".
live in Caesaria 2 2011
In addition, Shwekey appears on the following albums:
(Kechu, Kerasicha, Im Eshkachech, Shuvi Nafshi, and Yerushalayim)
(Zoche)
(Zoche)
(Al Tiktzof)
(Racheim)
(Mama Rachel)
(Ben Bag Bag, Mama Rachel, Shomrim, Rebono, and Finale)
(Vehu Keili)
(Eternity)
(Yedid, and Finale)
(Yehi Shalom)
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
Jewish American recording artist, and musical entertainer. Through his father, he is of Egyptian
Egyptians
Egyptians are nation an ethnic group made up of Mediterranean North Africans, the indigenous people of Egypt.Egyptian identity is closely tied to geography. The population of Egypt is concentrated in the lower Nile Valley, the small strip of cultivable land stretching from the First Cataract to...
and Syrian
Demographics of Syria
Syrians today are an overall indigenous Levantine people. While modern-day Syrians are commonly described as Arabs by virtue of their modern-day language and bonds to Arab culture and history...
Sephardic heritage, although his mother is Ashkenazic.
Biography
Yaakov Shwekey was raised in Brooklyn where he attended Yeshiva of Brooklyn. He now lives in Deal, New Jersey with his wife Jenine and their four children. Yaakov's career began when he and his brother Yisroel Meir sang with the Miami Boys ChoirMiami Boys Choir
-History:Formed in 1977 by Yerachmiel Begun, the Miami Boys Choir was part of a larger surge in popularity of Orthodox Jewish choral music.While the group was formed in Miami Beach, Florida, after releasing the first few albums, Begun moved the choir to New York...
for a short period of time. As a young man Shwekey learned in Rabbi Menachem Davidowitz's yeshiva (TIUNY) in Rochester, NY, and for a short time in Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Toronto
Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Toronto
Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Toronto is a Haredi yeshiva that was founded in 1959 as a branch of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore . It is no longer affiliated with Ner Yisroel in Baltimore. The yeshiva includes a both a Beis Midrash program and a high school.- Past leadership :The yeshiva was...
. For a period of time he was an unofficial wedding singer.
His debut solo album, Shomati, was released in 2001. To date, ten albums have been released, including both albums of original songs and compilations of covers (an album of wedding songs and an album of kumzitz songs). Less than one year after releasing an album, Ad Bli Dai, Shwekey released a brand new all middle eastern style songs album, titled, Libi Bamizrach - My Heart is in the East (July 2010). While Shwekey used some of his well known past composers, this time he also went to many of the composers and arrangers who have become mainstays working with the current Mizrachi genre in Israel. Featuring 10 brand new songs, and one traditional Sfardic melody, Libi Bamizrach includes songs composed by Yitzi Waldner, Yoni Rohe, Moshe Wertzberger, Yonatan Razel, Eli Laufer. Shwekey has headlined numerous concerts, including 3 HASC concerts and an OHEL
OHEL
Ohel is a large Jewish social service agency, primarily located in New York City, which provides counseling, crisis intervention, and other services to children and families who are going through or suffering from abuse, domestic violence, marital problems, and/or neglect...
concert. Although Yaakov's popularity is not nearly as close to some other orthodox singers such as Mordechai Ben David, who is known as 'The King of Jewish Music' and Avraham Fried, the second most popular orthodox singer, Yaakov is however among the top singers today with popular stars such as Lipa Schmeltzer, Shloime Gertner and Dovid Gabay.
Musical style
Yaakov Shwekey is a singer and his music and songs are composed by others. His albums are produced by Yochi Briskman, and distributed in the US by Aderet Music, and in Israel by Greentec. Many different arrangers have arranged his albums including Moshe Laufer, Mona Rosenblum, Yanky Briskman, Leib Yaakov Rigler, and Yisroel Lamm. Until 2006 Shwekey’s primary studio was “Studio X” (run by Yochi Briskman, engineered by Zohar "Baba" Buerger), today, most of his recording is done in his private home studio.Some of Shwekey's songs have garnered a substantial following. His most famous song is Racheim composed by Pinky Weber. The lyrics are from the prayer after eating, asking God to have mercy on the Jewish nation and the city of Jerusalem. As Shwekey describes this song, "It’s a prayer. It’s not just a song. We connect with G-d and ask Him to have mercy". In 2008/2009 Vehi She'omdah, composed by Yonatan Razel
Yonatan Razel
Yonatan Razel is a singer, writer, composer, musical arranger and conductor.- Background :As a child learned to play on piano and cello, and studied conducting with Mendi Rodan. With his siblings Aharon, Yehuda and Ricka, the Razels formed a band and performed on Rivka Michaeli's program. Razel's...
and debuted on his Live in Caesaria concert DVD, and later rerecorded on Ad Bli Dai became a major hit. Many of his songs, including Shomati (from the Talmud) composed by Yossi Green
Yossi Green
Yossi Green is a composer of Jewish music. His works include some major hits of the Jewish industry. He wrote his first international hit song for Yigal Calek and the London School of Jewish Song in 1973....
and Im Eshkacheich, from Psalms
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
137, have found considerable popularity as Jewish wedding songs.
Concert controversy
In August 2007, Yaakov Shwekey and Avraham FriedAvraham Fried
Avraham Shabshi Hakohen Friedman better known by his stage name, Avraham Fried, is a popular musical entertainer in the Orthodox Jewish community.-Career:...
were slated to headline a major concert in Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium. The event was produced by Moshe Ben-Zimra and billed as a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.
Leading chareidi Rabbis, including Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, the Gerrer
Ger (Hasidic dynasty)
Ger, or Gur is a Hasidic dynasty originating from Ger, the Yiddish name of Góra Kalwaria, a small town in Poland....
and Belzer
Belz (Hasidic dynasty)
Belz is a Hasidic dynasty named for the town of Belz in Western Ukraine, near the Polish border. The town has existed since at least the 10th century, with the Jewish community being established during the 14th century. The town became home to Hasidic Judaism in the early 19th century...
Rabbis, Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman, Rabbi Shmuel Wosner
Shmuel Wosner
Rabbi Shmuel Wosner is a Haredi rabbi and posek living in Bnei Brak, Israel....
, and Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg signed a ban which appeared in the chareidi press forbidding participation or attendance of the event or similar events.
Yaakov Shwekey issued a response that he had already posed the question to his rabbi, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
Ovadia Yosef
Ovadia Yosef is the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, a recognised Talmudic scholar and foremost halakhic authority.He currently serves as the spiritual leader of the Shas political party in the Israeli parliament...
, when an earlier concert featuring him, along with Mordechai Ben David
Mordechai ben David
Mordechai Werdyger , professionally known as Mordechai Ben David or MBD for short, is an American Hasidic Jewish singer and songwriter popular in the Orthodox Jewish community. He has been referred to as the 'King of Jewish music'. He has produced many popular Jewish albums over the past 40 years...
, was also banned. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef responded that there is absolutely no prohibition as long as it is a completely separate seating event. Neither Shwekey nor Fried pulled out of the concert.
Personal life
Shwekey supports his family through his albums, performances at Jewish weddings, and concerts. He also performs at fundraisers for charitable organizations.His wife Jenine is a founder of "Special Children's Center of Lakewood", a respite and support program for special needs children and Shwekey also volunteers much time and energy to this philanthropic endeavor. In an interview with the Yated Ne'eman, Shwekey said "I’m convinced that the success I’ve experienced in my music career is all because of our work with these special children".
Discography
- Shomati, 2001
- Shwekey 2, 2002
- Besimcha, 2003 שינחת
- Yedid (Shwekey 3), 2004
- Behisorerus, 2005
- Live in Paris, 2006
- Leshem Shomayim (Shwekey 4), 2007
- Live in Caesaria, 2008
- Ad Bli Dai (Shwekey 5), 2009
- The Shwekey Collection, 2010
- Libi Bamizrach, 2010
live in Caesaria 2 2011
In addition, Shwekey appears on the following albums:
- Vishuvu El Hashem (Rav Shmuel Brazil), 2000
(Kechu, Kerasicha, Im Eshkachech, Shuvi Nafshi, and Yerushalayim)
- Dance With Neginah 5 (Neginah), 2001
(Zoche)
- Dance With the Stars, 2002
(Zoche)
- The Best of The Best 2 (Gideon Levine), 2002
(Al Tiktzof)
- Miami 25 (Miami Boys ChoirMiami Boys Choir-History:Formed in 1977 by Yerachmiel Begun, the Miami Boys Choir was part of a larger surge in popularity of Orthodox Jewish choral music.While the group was formed in Miami Beach, Florida, after releasing the first few albums, Begun moved the choir to New York...
), 2002
(Racheim)
- Journeys 4 (Abie RotenbergAbie RotenbergAbie Rotenberg is a prolific Orthodox Jewish musician, composer and entertainer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He has been producing music since the mid 1970s with a style which has been described as "soft and sweet" with a strong folk influence....
), 2002
(Mama Rachel)
- HASC 18 (HASCHebrew Academy for Special ChildrenHebrew Academy For Special Children is a Jewish non-profit agency in New York City, United States, providing a wide range of supportive services to children with special needs...
), 2005
(Ben Bag Bag, Mama Rachel, Shomrim, Rebono, and Finale)
- Vezakeni (Baruch Levine), 2006
(Vehu Keili)
- Eternity (Oorah), 2006
(Eternity)
- Highlights - HASC 19 (HASCHebrew Academy for Special ChildrenHebrew Academy For Special Children is a Jewish non-profit agency in New York City, United States, providing a wide range of supportive services to children with special needs...
), 2006
(Yedid, and Finale)
- Harei Yehuda (Yehuda Gilden), 2008
(Yehi Shalom)
- Hasc 22 (HASCHebrew Academy for Special ChildrenHebrew Academy For Special Children is a Jewish non-profit agency in New York City, United States, providing a wide range of supportive services to children with special needs...
), 2009