When he was a kid, Avremel Friedman went public as a child soloist on several albums — but while the light of most child stars dims as their voices change, Avraham Fried’s only became brighter. Ten years later, his 1981 debut album, No Jew Will Be Left Behind, turned into the beginning of a nearly four-decade stretch, as listeners connected to his niggunim of the neshamah. Through hundreds of songs and dozens of albums, we’ve sung and swayed, danced and prayed. And now we’ve asked our readers:

Which one of Avraham Fried’s songs has touched your life?

“Zechor” (Brachah V’hatzlachah, 1995)

Every year since its release, my father and I would sing “Zechor” on parshas Zachor (the words come from the yotzros of that Shabbos). Even after I moved to Eretz Yisrael, almost 20 years ago, I call my father, either before Shabbos to remind him or after to let him know that I sang it. Both the lyrics and the composition are extremely moving. Yossi Green has an incredible matnas Elokim for composing stirring tunes, and Avraham Fried for singing them. Understanding what we, as bnei Melech, endure through this long and bitter galus, and our unshakable belief and desire to be remembered and brought back to our Father, the song brings us to tears each time we sing it.

—Moshe G.

Avremel’s Take

Another very interesting choice. Like yourself, I loved Yossi’s compositions that weren’t just A and B parts — “Zechor” is a real piece. I recall how while recording it in the studio I was putting in my kishkes to bring out the cry and the bakashah: Zechor! I very much liked hearing how you sing the song with your father.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)