This past Sunday the heart of Boston was buzzing with activity as 1000 members of
Boston’s diverse Jewish community converged at the John Hancock Hall for a night of
unity and song.
The world-renowned Jewish Chassidic Superstar, Avraham Fried, electrified the
audience with a wide array of Jewish songs-- classic, pop, rock and jazz -- catering to a
diverse audience. Fried noted how “music is the pen of soul,” and the soul pursuit for
peace and positivity, is the perfect antidote for a fragmented and chaotic world.
One of the greatest Jewish music artists, Fried has entertained audiences all over the
globe in his 35 year career, and preformed for the first time in Boston.
Rabbi Shalom Ber Prus, director of Beth Menachem - Chabad of Newton, a major force
behind the Mega Jewish Concert, opened with a chapter of Psalms for the safety and
security of the Jews in Israel and for world peace, and paid special tribute to the victims
of the barbaric attack in France.
With the recent terror attacks at a concert hall in Paris looming large, the event
organizers were encouraged by the Department of Homeland security to proceed with
the concert as planned, without any worry.
“Tonight we counter a “Night of Horror” the world just witnessed in Paris with a “Night
of Happiness” and a “concert in the darkness” with a “concert de la luminaire” – a
concert of light,” noted Rabbi Yosef Zaklos, director of Chabad of Downtown Boston
co-host of the event.
The event celebrated the ancient tradition called “Hakhel,” the year of gathering. In
Biblical times, the entire Jewish nation assembled on a septennial basis in the temple
courtyard in Jerusalem, to hear the king address the people, and inspire them in their
commitment to their Jewish heritage.
The Concert was a joint project of Beth Menachem Chabad of Newton and many
neighboring Chabad centers, the CJP (combined Jewish philanthropies) and IAC (Israel
American Council).
