New Book Reveals Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach's Struggles and Holocaust Impact
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
A new book, "I Met a Crying World," presents the life story of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach using only his own words, compiled from years of recordings and interviews. The book details his early career opposition, personal doubts, and the profound impact of the Holocaust on his mission. It also highlights his transformative encounters with individuals, including the grandfather of the podcast's interviewer. Rabbi Shlomo Katz, the book's editor, shared his emotional experience compiling Carlebach's reflections on loss and hope.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- New book "I Met a Crying World" features Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach's life story in his own words.
- Carlebach faced harsh opposition early in his music career, with one record called a "desecration of God's name."
- The Holocaust deeply affected Carlebach, influencing his sense of mission and connection to the Jewish people.
- Carlebach's encounter with David Zeller led to Zeller putting on tefillin for the first time.
- Editor Rabbi Shlomo Katz was moved to tears by Carlebach's reflections on the Holocaust's impact.
A new book, "I Met a Crying World," compiles the life story of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach entirely from his own words, drawn from recordings, interviews, and performances. Rabbi Shlomo Katz, who spent years collecting and editing the material, explained on the "Open the Gates" podcast that the book is presented in the first person, aiming to let Carlebach tell his own story without external interpretations.
The book details the significant opposition Carlebach faced early in his musical career. One anecdote recounts a phone call from a prominent figure in the Jewish world who condemned Carlebach's first record, calling it a "desecration of God's name" and warning of future shame. Despite this, the songs from that record, "Neshamah Lecha," later became integral to Jewish music.
Carlebach also shared personal moments of doubt, including an incident in a Petah Tikva cafe after being insulted, where an elderly man told him, "In many years, everyone will do what you are doing, because there is no other way. I only bless you that you remember you were the first."
A significant portion of the book addresses the profound impact of the Holocaust on Carlebach's worldview and sense of mission. He expressed his inability to sleep, feeling the weight of the six million murdered Jews, and later came to understand them as "our children." Rabbi Katz described being moved to tears while transcribing this section, feeling compelled to share Carlebach's existence with the world.
The book also touches on Carlebach's encounter with David Zeller, the grandfather of the podcast's interviewer, at a 1966 folk music festival. Carlebach invited attendees to his hotel room, where Zeller was the first to arrive and was helped by Carlebach to put on tefillin for the first time. This meeting profoundly influenced Zeller's life and subsequent generations.
Rabbi Katz emphasized that the book reveals not only Carlebach's successes but also his loneliness, hardships, and the pain he endured. He chose not to publish some private conversations, unsure if Carlebach would have wanted them revealed. Ultimately, Carlebach's life is summarized by the book's title, "I Met a Crying World," reflecting his mission to bring love, hope, and song to a world burdened by the Holocaust and loneliness.
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