Massive Hasidic Music Events in Jerusalem Draw Thousands Amid Mixed Reviews
Music critic Netanel Leifer attended two major Hasidic music events in Jerusalem during the Bein Hazmanim period, highlighting both their successes and shortcomings. The first event featured singer Pini Einhorn at Binyanei HaUma on Saturday night. The show was more of a high-energy dance party than a traditional concert, with elaborate stage production including 360-degree staging, lighting, smoke machines, and fireworks. Einhorn energized a young, mostly yeshiva student audience, performing hits from his latest and previous albums. However, the venue proved unsuitable for such a dynamic event due to safety concerns and cramped space. Einhorn also hosted surprise guest rapper Elayzor and singer-composer Yitzchak Ben Arza, with the show concluding in a loud dance party atmosphere led by DJ Yohanan Uri.
The second event took place at Sultan's Pool and featured Mordechai Ben David, Shmuelik Sukot, and the children’s choir Pirchei Miami. Despite attracting around 6,000 attendees, the show was marred by a late start and an abrupt police-mandated shutdown at 11 p.m. due to noise complaints from nearby residents. The choir’s live performance was criticized for off-key singing and awkward dancing, contrasting with the nostalgia surrounding their previous appearances. Shmuelik Sukot was praised for his strong performance and audience connection, while Mordechai Ben David delivered several hits, including duets with Ari Kraus and Yaakov Shwekey. The event ended unexpectedly before a planned finale by choir alumni, though the musical director led the crowd in a spontaneous rendition of "Ani Maamin."
Leifer concluded that while the Einhorn show’s venue choice was flawed and the Sultan’s Pool event suffered from organizational issues, both concerts demonstrated the vibrant Hasidic music scene in Israel. He expressed hope that future productions would learn from these experiences to improve. Overall, the events reflect a growing demand for large-scale Hasidic music performances, with a mix of traditional and modern elements attracting thousands of fans.
