By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
Singer Yossi Hodakov will perform the first Chassidic concert of Jewish music to be presented at Chabad Lubavitch’s new synagogue, on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m.
“It’ll be a great concert,” promises Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld. “There hasn’t been a type of concert like this in a long time.”
Chabad-Lubavitch has not presented a concert of this kind for more than three years. About 150 to 300 are expected to attend.
“I think anyone coming really will have a good time,” said Hodakov. “We really need everyone to hum along and clap along.”
Hodakov, originally from Crown Heights, a Hassidic community in Brooklyn, N.Y., grew up surrounded by Jewish music. As a child, he would often be found singing in the hallways at his school. Now in his mid-thirties, Hodakov has been performing professionally for the past 15 years. He has appeared in concerts across the U.S., Canada and the former Soviet Union, in addition to weddings and bar mitzvahs on the East Coast.
Rabbi Kornfeld, who has heard Hodakov perform on the East Coast, said the singer spreads joy through his voice.
A teacher by profession, Hodakov educates the audience about the songs he performs. He sings in Hebrew, Russian, English and Yiddish and intersperses his songs with insightful and humorous anecdotes. Hodakov’s upcoming performance will be accompanied by the local Od Yishama Orchestra. The two-hour program will include some slow songs, some fast songs and songs that the audience can dance to.
Hoping to get a pulse of what his Seattle audience will enjoy in his upcoming concert, Hodakov said he will be open to suggestions.
“I really like to connect with the people,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll put a little bit of everything into the evening.”
The program will be an informal and interactive evening for all ages.
“We’re making it a nice family event,” said Rabbi Sholom Ber Levitin.
The concert will take place at 6 p.m. at Congregation Shaarei Tefilah-Lubavitch, 6250 43rd Ave. N.E., Seattle. Tickets are $40 for adults, $5 for students/children and $40 per family. Contact Chabad at 206-527-1411 or e-mail to [email protected].