Chasidic Singer Shmulik Klein Reflects on Career, Sukkot Joy, and Finding Inner Happiness

Chasidic singer Shmulik Klein recently appeared on the Channel 7 podcast for a holiday discussion about the unique joy of Sukkot, his journey from an initial performance fee of 800 shekels to performing at the Binyanei Ha'uma, and his message of self-connection and purpose.

Klein contrasted the communal joy of Sukkot celebrations with the more family-focused atmosphere of weddings, emphasizing the shared experience of the holiday. He noted that musically, Sukkot evenings differ, with holiday songs taking center stage. His favorite song, "Atah Bchartanu," is a classic that connects Jewish communities globally.

He described the period after the High Holidays as a time of cleansing, allowing for a more profound joy during Sukkot, viewing the commandment to rejoice as an opportunity to set aside personal difficulties and connect with God. Klein expressed a desire to extend this joy beyond the holiday, aiming for "joy in your life" rather than just "joy in your holiday."

A new Sukkot musical project, featuring artists from his agency, was born from a desire for collaboration, mirroring the holiday's spirit of shared experience. Klein recalled his own early life as introverted, growing up in a religious household where music was present but he was not initially drawn to performing. His shyness gradually faded through choir performances and positive audience feedback.

His breakthrough, he stated, occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The shift to smaller, more frequent events, sometimes three weddings in a single day, allowed his energetic and playful stage persona to emerge. This period, he explained, was when his performance style truly "burst forth."

Klein also discussed his development as an artist, creating original music and videos, and aiming for a holistic artistic process beyond just performing. A significant milestone was his concert at Binyanei Ha'uma, which drew 3,600 attendees. He described a moment of intense pre-performance anxiety, which he overcame by dedicating himself to God.

Defining joy, Klein distinguished it from external expressions like dancing or drinking, emphasizing it as an internal state of being oneself, even amidst sadness or hardship. He encouraged acknowledging difficulties, remembering they are temporary, and focusing on the positive. He connected this to his personal sense of mission, believing each person has a unique role to fulfill, and his own role is to spread joy. His advice is to find what brings happiness, start the day with positive energy and good music, enjoy the journey, engage in work one loves, and surround oneself with good people.