Benzion Hakohen "Benny" Friedman ( he, בנציון הכהן פרידמן; born 1984)Besser, Yisroel. "On the Mic: Benny Friedman". ''

Mishpacha ''Mishpacha'' ( he, משפחה, : Family) - Jewish Family Weekly is a Haredi weekly magazine package produced by The Mishpacha Group in both English and Hebrew. History The Mishpacha Publishing Group was founded in 1984 with the publication ...

'' Special Supplement: "Heart Beats", Sukkos 5777 (Fall 2016), pp. 43–46. is an American Hasidic

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

singer and a non-pulpit rabbi. Professionally trained in voice, he rose to prominence on the Orthodox pop scene with his first album in 2009. Singing mainly in

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

, Friedman tours extensively and also appears in

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...

s. He views his music as a '' shlichus'' (outreach) tool, with the goal of drawing Jews closer to Judaism.

Early life and family

Benny Friedman was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, where his father, Rabbi

Manis Friedman Manis Friedman (full name: Menachem Manis HaKohen Friedman, he, מנחם מניס הכהן פרידמן; born 1946) is a Hassid, rabbi, author, social philosopher and public speaker. He is also the dean of the Bais Chana Institute of Jewish St ...

, was a

Chabad Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (), is an Orthodox Jewish Hasidic dynasty. Chabad is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, particularly for its outreach activities. It is one of the largest Hasidic grou ...

shaliach In halakha, Jewish law, a shaliaḥ ( he, שָלִיחַ, ; pl. , ''sheliḥim'' or ''sheliah'', literally "emissary" or "messenger") is a legal agent. In practice, "the shaliaḥ for a person is as this person himself." Accordingly, a shaliaḥ ...

''. His uncle (his father's brother) is Orthodox Jewish singing superstar

Avraham Fried Avraham Shabsi Hakohen Friedman ( he, אברהם שבתי הכהן פרידמן, born March 22, 1959) better known by his stage name, Avraham Fried, is a popular musical entertainer in the Orthodox Jewish community. Career Fried was encourag ...

; he is also the first-cousin of Shmuel and Bentzi Marcus (sons of his father's sister Ita) of the band 8th Day.Besser, Yisroel. "On the Wings of a Song". ''Mishpacha'', March 20, 2013, pp. 84–101. At the age of twelve he was sent to learn at the

Lubavitcher Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (), is an Orthodox Jewish Hasidic dynasty. Chabad is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, particularly for its outreach activities. It is one of the largest Hasidic grou ...

yeshiva A yeshiva (; he, ישיבה, , sitting; pl. , or ) is a traditional Jewish educational institution focused on the study of Rabbinic literature, primarily the Talmud and halacha (Jewish law), while Torah and Jewish philosophy are st ...

Postville, Iowa Postville is a village in Allamakee and Clayton counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. It lies near the junction of four counties and at the intersection of U.S. Routes 18 and 52 and Iowa Highway 51, with airport facilities in the neighboring co ...

, where he boarded in the home of Rabbi

Sholom Rubashkin Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin (born October 30, 1959) is a convicted felon and the former CEO of Agriprocessors, a now-bankrupt kosher slaughterhouse and meat packing plant in Postville, Iowa, formerly owned by his father, Aaron Rubashkin. Durin ...

. At age 15 he traveled to Israel to study in the Lubavitcher yeshiva in Safed. He earned

rabbinic ordination Semikhah ( he, סמיכה) is the traditional Jewish name for rabbinic ordination. The original ''semikhah'' was the formal "transmission of authority" from Moses through the generations. This form of ''semikhah'' ceased between 360 and 425 C ...

and worked as a Chabad ''shaliach'' in

Tucson , "(at the) base of the black ill , nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town" , image_map = , mapsize = 260px , map_caption = Interactive map ...

, Arizona for several years. He married in 2009 and resides in

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

.Bensoussan, Barbara. "Speaking to the Soul: Rabbis Manis and Benny Friedman use their talents to awaken the pintele Yid". ''Mishpacha'' Special Supplement: "A Father to Follow". Pesach 5771 (Spring 2011), pp. 18–25.

Music career

As a child, Friedman enjoyed singing at the family Shabbat table and listening to the CDs of Avraham Fried, Mordechai Ben David, and Moshe Yess. He was also comfortable performing in front of audiences. After his bar mitzvah he began performing in

Orthodox Jewish Orthodox Judaism is the collective term for the traditionalist and theologically conservative branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Written and Oral, as revealed by God to Moses on M ...

summer camps in the Catskill Mountains; later he gave concerts in the U.S., Europe, and Israel during his vacations from yeshiva. Before his marriage, Friedman trained for four years with

voice coach Voice therapy consists of techniques and procedures that target vocal parameters, such as vocal fold closure, pitch, volume, and quality. This therapy is provided by speech-language pathologists and is primarily used to aid in the management of v ...

Seth Riggs in California and later with Yacov Young in Crown Heights. During that time, he created a show called "Judaism: The Song and the Story", which toured the West Coast for several years running. Friedman came to national attention with the release of his first solo album, ''Tammu'', produced by Avi Newmark along with Technical Producer, Sruly Meyer in 2009. Afterward he began touring in concert and singing at

Jewish wedding A Jewish wedding is a wedding ceremony that follows Jewish laws and traditions. While wedding ceremonies vary, common features of a Jewish wedding include a ''ketubah'' (marriage contract) which is signed by two witnesses, a ''chuppah'' or ''hu ...

s. He was a guest vocalist on the 2011 album ''Nagila V'Nismicha'', singing with the Nagilah Orchestra. His second solo album, ''Yesh Tikvah: Dawn of Moshiach'' (2012), also produced by Newmark, along with Technical Producer, Sruly Meyer, made a splash in the Orthodox Jewish world with its title track, "''Yesh Tikvah''". The

Hebrew-language Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved th ...

song encouraging hope and faith was co-written by

Ari Goldwag Ari Goldwag (born 1979) is an American Orthodox Jewish singer, songwriter, composer, and producer of contemporary Jewish religious music, as well as an author and teacher living in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. He was a soloist for the Miami Boys Ch ...

and Miriam Israeli. The song earned a mention in an editorial in the '' Yated Ne'eman'' Orthodox Jewish newspaper, a paper not known for music reviews. "''Yesh Tikvah''" has been covered by numerous major Orthodox Jewish singers and choirs and was rendered into

Yiddish Yiddish (, or , ''yidish'' or ''idish'', , ; , ''Yidish-Taytsh'', ) is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated during the 9th century in Central Europe, providing the nascent Ashkenazi community with a ve ...

by the Yedidim Choir. In 2013 Friedman released his first spinoff album ''B'nei Heichala: A Shabbos with Benny Friedman'', which includes traditional and modern Shabbat ''

zemirot Zemirot or Z'miros ( he, זמירות ''zǝmîrôt'', singular: zimrah but often called by the masculine zemer) are Jewish hymns, usually sung in the Hebrew or Aramaic languages, but sometimes also in Yiddish or Ladino. The best known are tho ...

''. In 2014, he released his third solo album, ''Kol Haneshama Sheli''. in 2016, Friedman released a new album with 13 original songs, titled ''Fill The World With Light''. In 2019, he released ''Kulanu Nelech'' – a studio album featuring 13 tracks. The music was executive produced by Benny Friedman and written by a wide range of composers, including: Ari Goldwag, Udi Damari, Moshe and Yitzy Waldner. Three tracks where recorded live with the Budapest Art Orchestra, Hungary, including orchestral arrangements by Frederic Bernard, Gershon Freishtat and Elchanan Elchadad. In 2020, he released his first a cappella album, ''Whispers of the Heart''. The album was conceived and recorded over one week, during the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...

. The following year he released a follow up album ''Whispers of the Heart 2''.

Benefit performances

Friedman has performed on three fund-raising singles: "''Chasoif''", a free download supporting the rebuilding of the

Chabad house A Chabad house is a centre for disseminating traditional Judaism by the Chabad movement. Chabad houses are run by a Chabad Shaliach (emissary), and Shalucha (fem. for emissary) and their family. They are located in cities and on or near college ...

damaged in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and families of the victims; "Unity", a production by 30 top Orthodox Jewish performers to benefit the legal defense of

; and "''Berachamim''", whose proceeds were earmarked for the medical expenses of Ilan Tocker, a Cedarhurst man who suffered a

traumatic brain injury A traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as an intracranial injury, is an injury to the brain caused by an external force. TBI can be classified based on severity (ranging from mild traumatic brain injury TBI/concussionto severe traumatic br ...

. In 2014 Friedman sang on the album ''Shir'' (Song), a collection of 18 songs composed by

Shlomo Rechnitz Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of TwinMed and owner of Brius Healthcare Services. Early life and education Shlomo Rechnitz attended high school at the Mesivta of Long Beach, New York and ...

and performed by the leading musical artists in the Orthodox Jewish world. The artists all donated their talents, and proceeds from album sales will benefit the Keren Shviis Fund, which supports Israeli farmers keeping the laws of Shmita. Friedman was a headliner at HASC 24, "A Time for Duets" (2011), singing both solo and in duets with his uncle, Avraham Fried; HASC 26 (2013); and HASC 27 (2014). Friedman frequently performs at Chabad events. In 2009 he was the guest vocalist at the first anniversary memorial for the Chabad ''shluchim'' murdered in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. In 2013 he sang for both adults and youth at the annual Kinus HaShluchim Conference in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

. In December 2013 he sang the national anthem of the US at the first Jewish Heritage Night at a

Brooklyn Nets The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The ...

game. In 2014 he performed at a Chasdei Soul II Soul concert to benefit special-needs students in Crown Heights.

Musical style

Friedman's music is categorized as pop Jewish music. He mainly sings in Hebrew.

Music videos

Friedman appears in music videos to promote his songs. The 2012 "''Yesh Tikvah''" music video has him singing against a nighttime cityscape and then moving to a sunny field to the accompaniment of a chorus of children. In the 2013 music video for "''Maaleh Ani''", Friedman sings by the

Malibu, California Malibu ( ; es, Malibú; Chumash: ) is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, situated about west of Downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate and its strip of the Malib ...

coastline while a guitarist, bass guitarist, and drummer play underwater in a swimming pool. Friedman eventually jumps into the pool fully clothed in his trademark black dress suit, white shirt, and tie – clapping, drumming, and playing

air guitar Air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play an imaginary rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs and solos. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking m ...

with the band.

Discography

Solo albums

* ''Taamu'' (2009) * ''Yesh Tikvah – Dawn of Moshiach'' (2012) * ''Kol Haneshama Sheli – With All My Soul'' (2014) * ''Fill The World With Light'' (2016) *''Kulanu Nelech'' (2019) * '' It Sounds Like Purim (2022) * ''It Sounds Like Chanukah (2022)''

Spinoffs

* ''Nagila V'Nismicha'' with the Nagilah Orchestra (2011) * ''B'nei Heichala – A Shabbos with Benny Friedman'' (2013) * ''Whispers of the Heart – A Cappella Inspiration for Sefira & The 3 Weeks'' (2020) * ''Whispers of the Heart 2 – A Cappella Inspiration for Sefira & The 3 Weeks'' (2021)

Singles

* ''Chasoif'' - with Yitzy Spinner and Yisroel Werdyger (2008) * ''Berachamim'' - with

(2010) (also featured on ''Yesh Tikvah'') * ''Mi Shemaamin'' (2011) * ''Light One Candle'' (2013) * ''Kulam Sharim'' (2016) (also featured on ''Fill The World With Light'') * ''B'sefer Chaim'' (2016) (also featured on ''Fill The World With Light'') * ''V'haarev Na'' - with

Baruch Levine Baruch Levine (born December 28, 1977) is a Canadian-born American Orthodox Jewish composer and singer whose songs have become popular and classic throughout the Orthodox Jewish world. His slow, soulful, heartfelt tunes have gained wide popularity ...

(2018) * ''Lichtig un Varem'' (2018) * ''Vesechezena'' (2018) * ''No Time Like Now'' (2018) * ''My Dear Rebbe'' - with Yitzy Waldner (2019) * ''Hareini Mekabel'' (2019) (also featured on ''Kulanu Nelech'') * ''Vzakeini'' - with

(2020) * ''B'Shir'' - with Sruly Green (2020) * ''Ich Bin Dans'' - with Dovy Meisels (2020) * ''25,000 Candles'' (2021) * ''We May All Be Different'' - with Joey Newcomb (2021) * ''A Yid'' (2021) * ''It's a Rebbe's Life'' (2021) * ''Hold On Tight - with Baruch Levine (2022)''

Guest appearances

* ''HASC 24 - A Time For Duets'' ( HASC), 2011 ("Avraham Fried & Benny Friedman Medley") * ''The Music We Love'' ( Ohel Concert), 2012 ("Taamu", "Yavducha", "One Day") * ''Kumzing 2'' (Hamenganim Orchestra), 2012 ("No Lyrics", "Letova", "Kad Yasvun") * ''Simchas Hachaim 2'' (Aderet Music), 2013 ("Chabad Medley") * ''The Yess Legacy'' (tribute to Moshe Yess), 2013 ("As A Jew") * ''Believe'' ( Six13), 2013 ("Yesh Tikvah") * ''Chai'' (The Chevra), 2013 ("Ad Olam" - with

Yeshiva Boys Choir The Yeshiva Boys Choir also known as (YBC) is a contemporary Jewish religious music boys choir. The choir is conducted by Yossi Newman, and their songs are composed, arranged and produced by Eli Gerstner Eliezer "Eli" Gerstner (Hebrew: ''אלי ...

) * ''HASC 26'' ( HASC), 2013 ("Family Medley") * ''Am Echad'' (Ari Goldwag), 2013 ("Min Hameitzar") * ''Simchas Hachaim 3'' (Aderet Music), 2014 ("Nodeh Leshimacha", "Zeh Hayom", "Niggun Karlin", "Ashrei Mi") * ''One Day More'' (

Maccabeats The Maccabeats are an American Orthodox Jewish all-male a cappella group. Founded in 2007 at Yeshiva University, Manhattan, New York, the 14-member group specializes in covers and parodies of contemporary hits using Jewish-themed lyrics. Their br ...

), 2014 ("Yesh Tikvah") * ''A Cappella Soul 2'' (

), 2014 ("Min Hameitzar") * ''Shir'' (

), 2014 ("Hinei Hinei") * ''HASC 27'' ( HASC), 2014 ("Dreams Come True", "Shalom Aleichem", "Hashem Melech") * ''2nd Dance II'' (The A Team), 2014 ("Melech Malchei Hamlachim") * ''Simchas Hachaim 4'' (Aderet Music), 2015 ("Batorah", "Hareini Mizamen", "Nigun Avod", "Habet Na", "Ze Ho'ois") * ''Simchas Hachaim 5'' (Aderet Music), 2016 ("Ani Maamin", "Nishmas", "Nigun Chabad", "Teka Teka", "Uvenei") * ''A Cappella Soul 3'' (

), 2016 ("Lehisaneg") * ''Shirei Pinchas'' (Reb Pinchas Wolf), 2016 ("Torah Tziva", "Hashomayim") * ''The Rebbe's Nigunim (DVD)'' (Tashbar Media), 2016 ("Asader LeSeudoso") * ''Neemos Hachaim'' (Aderet Music), 2016 * ''Heart Beats'' ( Mishpacha Magazine), 2016 * ''Shir 2'' (

), 2016 ("B'chayachon") * ''Simchas Hachaim 7'' (Aderet Music), 2016 * ''Storm the World'' (Ruvi New), 2017 ("The Night A Soul Was Saved") * ''Uncle Moishy Volume 19'' ( Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah Men), 2018 ("A Holiday") * ''Matana Tova'' (

), 2018 ("Motzi Asirim") * ''The Great Farby'' (Chony Milecki), 2018 ("It's Late", "Want You") * ''Ashrecha'' (Eitan Katz), 2018 ("B'Fi Yeshorim") * ''The Fingerprint Album'' (Sruli Bodansky), 2019 ("Ki Yaakov") * ''Lev El Hanishomah'' (Cheskie Wiesz), 2019 ("Shira") * ''Aish 3'' ( Abie Rotenberg & Shlomo Simcha), 2020 ("Rachamana") * ''How Aw Ya Reb Yid?'' (Joey Newcomb), 2020 ("Mi K'amcha Yisrael") * ''Off the Record'' (

), 2020 * ''Emes'' (New York Boys Choir), 2020 ("Vzakeini") * ''Shema B'ni'' (Tzvi Silberstein), 2021 ("Poseach") * ''Taher Libi'' (Naftali Kalfa), 2021 ("Yehudi Yakar")

References

External links

"''Yesh Tikvah''" music video

"''Maaleh Ani''" music video

"''Ivri Anochi''" music video

"Preview: Avraham Fried and Benny Friedman at HASC 24"

Sheet music downloads
{{DEFAULTSORT:Friedman, Benny American Orthodox Jews Hasidic singers Hebrew-language singers Musicians from Saint Paul, Minnesota Musicians from Brooklyn 1984 births Living people Orthodox pop musicians