"I think that was the first time in my life that I spoke to a music professional"

"Iwas a bochur, learning in yeshivah in Eretz Yisrael, when I was introduced to someone named Reb Chaim Daskal,” BERI WEBER recalls of his roundabout introduction to the world of professional music. “Reb Chaim lived in the Old City and was a huge inspiration, who invited as many guests as he could for Shabbos. It was usually 40 or 50, but I recall once being there in a crowd of 80, and Reb Chaim actually rented a hall. When I introduced myself to him, I didn’t want to stand out too much, so I told him I was a Breslover although I wasn't very connected to Breslov.”

Of course, Reb Chaim then assumed Beri would be going to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, so he asked him if he had a ticket yet. “When I said no, that I was heading back to America,” Beri remembers, “Reb Chaim offered to give me whatever it cost to change my ticket if I would go to Uman. My father was fine with it, and I soon found myself on a plane to Uman — sitting next to singer Adi Ran.

“I think that was the first time in my life that I spoke to a music professional. Adi was carrying his guitar in his seat, and was happy to show me a few chords on the trip. Adi spoke about music theory in a way which expanded my imagination in music and helped me view it as art I could create. Until then, I thought guitar was just for playing the traditional music or Carlebach tunes, but Adi Ran opened for me the possibility of exploration and creativity in music.”

Beri got engaged at the end of the year, and, wanting to be a good husband and provider, found a job and worked in construction for around ten hours a day, until an acquaintance offered him an opportunity to sing in his choir.

“He was looking for singers,” says Beri, “and I think we were both doing each other a favor…. But one thing soon led to another, and I met Naftali Schnitzler, and then Shraga Gold. It’s been some musical journey.”

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 896)