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?

“Kamah Tov Shenifgashnu” (Kamah Tov Shenifgashnu, 2017)

I moved during my early teens, and after a few years of settling in, left to seminary. I moved to a different country once again when I got married, making my life full of goodbyes. I missed my family and friends, got to know many new friends, and said goodbye again and again, until the next time we met. This song seems to have accompanied me throughout the years of traveling, visiting, and missing all my loved ones. It helps me realize how thankful I should be that I have family and friends to miss and that they are missing me. And it gives me the comfort of knowing that no matter how many goodbyes will be said, we will meet once again.

—D.R.

Avremel’s Take

The inspiration for this song came to me while flying back from Eretz Yisrael. It was after a concert where the crowd was very warm and enthusiastic, and I felt that I wanted to write a thank you song to my listeners who have accompanied me during these 40 years, baruch Hashem. And then the line “kamah tov shenifgashnu” came to mind. This song, which was composed by my musical director Yuval Stupel, has become a huge hit and is used, as you yourself write, as a way to say hello and goodbye — but never forever.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)

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hen 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?

“Tanyeh” (We Are Ready, 1988)

Avraham Fried has inspired me since my childhood. I have found myself at more than 100 Avraham Fried concerts in my life, mostly in Israel. At the time of writing, I’m holding tickets to four upcoming events. A number of years ago, on a Motzaei Shabbos, there was a concert in Tel Aviv to benefit Hadassah Rehab Center. At one point, Avremel asked the crowd to suggest niggunim. People yelled out all different songs. There was a woman in a wheelchair, very weak and old, sitting in the front row. She caught Avremel’s attention and he leaned down to her, quieting the crowd, asking her which song she wanted. “Tanyeh,” she said. Avremel continued getting requests from the crowd, and went on to sing many classics throughout the night. Finally, the concert ended. Everyone had started getting up from their seats and the band started to dismantle their instruments, when suddenly Avremel came charging back on stage waving his arm yelling “Stop, stop!” He walked to the front of the stage, leaned over to the woman, then turned around to the band and asked them to give him a key. He went on to sing the entire song of "Tanyeh". This, while the audience was already standing and many were half out the door. Those who had left promptly returned, and believe me when I say there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Until he finished the final note of that song, everyone stood in place wiping away tears. People perform, people sing, and there are many good voices out there, but how you care for another Jew puts it all in perspective.

—YF, Jerusalem

Avremel’s Take

I can’t remember — why didn’t I didn’t sing "Tanyeh" for her right away? Well, if I had, you wouldn’t have this story to tell. "Tanyeh," Yossi Green’s epic composition, is still my most requested song, so many years later. May Hashem always have rachamim on Klal Yisrael.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)

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?

“You’re Never Alone” (Holyland’s Greatest Hits, 1986)

Going through infertility was both lonely and frightening. When I discovered Avraham Fried’s song “You’re Never Alone,” I literally felt Hashem’s hand on my shoulder. I played this song every day and it infused me with tremendous emunah and bitachon.

I would cry as I sang, “Sometimes when you’re feeling all alone, and need some happiness to call your own, nothing is going the way it should…,” I felt like the song was talking about me. And then, “Lift up your eyes to the skies, your life’s in His hands, trust in Him he will reply. Guiding all your steps, always at your side. You are his joy and pride…” lifted me up and made me feel so connected to Hashem.

I’m still singing these days, together with my children:

“And don’t you know, you’re never alone, it doesn’t matter where you are. There’s nothing in His eyes more special than you. Wherever you go, Hashem goes with you.” Thank you Avraham Fried, for all the chizuk you have given me.

—R. Rubin, Brooklyn, NY

I was around 12 years old. I had a very bad day and just crashed angrily onto my bed. It felt like no one in the world understood me. Until I heard the HASC DVD my brother was playing. Avraham Fried was singing “You’re Never Alone.” The words jumped off the screen and into my heart, offering incredible validation.   The melody was so sweet and the words spoke to how I was feeling. I started to cry. Not only is Hashem watching me at this moment but He understands how I feel! Thank you Avremel for making one child’s bad day into a memory that will never be forgotten.

—Nissen Levine

Avremel’s Take

The power of a song, and even its title, have never ceases to amaze me. Three simple words can give so much strength and chizuk. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. And please always remember: You’re never alone.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)

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?

“Father Don’t Cry” (Bein Kach Uvein Kach, 2006)

I was a young girl when I heard “Father Don’t Cry” for the first time.  I saw the music video and was mesmerized by the words, the concept, the message, the tune, and the accompanying visuals. I believe it was the first time I saw a song being conceptualized in a video. Until today, that song has the power to move me, increase my yearning for the geulah, and inspire me in a very real way.

—S.R., Israel

Avremel’s Take

The idea for “Father Don’t Cry” came to me after once witnessing my father a”h crying. It was so painful. Then I remembered the Gemara that Hashem cries when He thinks of His children. I sat down by the piano and the words and the melody just poured out. I cried while writing it.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)

W

hen 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?

“Aderaba”(Aderaba, 1991)

Students of Tiferes Bais Yaakov Toronto, under its founding principal Rabbi Yitzchak Feigenbaum, are sure to remember Avraham Fried’s “Aderaba.” On the first and last Friday of the school year, Rabbi Feigenbaum gathered all the students and played Fried’s haunting melody. With a powerful narration, Rabbi Feigenbaum would teach us the importance of “shenireh kol echad maalas chavereinu” and of speaking to each other “b’derech hayashar.” He would say, “Look at the girl to the right. Look at the girl in another grade. We’re all sisters. Let’s create a nachas ruach for the Eibeshter.” Fried’s pure voice would permeate the room, as each student reflected on this. As the song played, the words resonated deep within me. I would think about those who I may have judged and slighted in the past. I resolved to heed the words of Rav Elimilech. Rabbi Feigenbaum’s words and Avraham Fried’s voice ring in my ear from time to time. The song brings me back to those Fridays, as I try to reclaim that feeling of what truly matters.

—TBY alumnus, Toronto

Avremel’s Take

This is really beautiful. It’s so nice to read about people who understand that a niggun has such power and can leave such a positive impression. I was told the other day that a very popular non-religious radio station in Eretz Yisrael even played “Aderaba.” It’s clearly one of Yossi Greens’ best classics. And I had the zechus some years ago to sing it at the kever of Rebbe Elimelech zy”a.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)

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?

“Ani Maamin”  (No Jew Will Be Left Behind, 1981)

My mother, Malka Berkowitz a”h, was diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 59. She passed away nine months later. As her life slowly ebbed away, it was heartbreaking to watch how she deteriorated day by day. About four weeks before her petirah, a new tape came out — No Jew Will Be Left Behind was a compilation of songs, sung by a relatively unknown Lubavitch bochur who went by the name of Avraham Fried. The tape had a soul-stirring “Ani Maamin” that captured my mother’s heart. With her weakened fingers, she pressed the rewind button on the tape recorder over and over again as she listened to the melody and cried bitter tears. I kept begging her to stop torturing herself and turn off the music, but she wouldn’t listen. It was only many years later, when my more mature self looked back at this episode, that I realized that this was her way of preparing herself for her departure from This World. Like those on the “Ani Maamin” Holocaust train where this niggun was  composed, she too was fortifying her emunah in the coming of Mashiach, and the ultimate happy ending, the geulah sheleimah.  May we be zocheh in our day!

—Layale Jacobowitz (Berkowitz), Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Avremel’s Take

Very, very, touched by your story. This classic, as we all know, captures the pain of the Holocaust, as well as the unwavering emunah in Mashiach and geulah. May we merit for it to come speedily, and and be reunited with our loved-ones. Amein.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)

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hen 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?

My Fellow Jew (Yochid Verabim, 2001)

I could cry just listening to the lyrics, specifically, “You have weathered all the storms; they’ve all come and gone / You are the unsung heroes of the world /You teach the world how to live and how to give and how to believe/ If I could look into your heart, I would see the face of G-d.”

It’s a timeless message to the Jewish People that we will carry on no matter what. Our people give me faith and hope in the future. Am Yisrael Chai!

—Chana Kashi, Great Neck, NY

I remember when I was in seminary and we had a panel about ahavas Yisrael. Someone asked a question about learning to love or tolerate someone that just rubs you the wrong way. One of the panelists said that whenever she feels negative feelings toward someone, she listens to Avraham Friend’s “My Fellow Jew” and pictures this person as she listens to the song. I’ve tried it since then and it really works. When you realize what the Jewish People collectively have gone through to reach this point and that every individual Jew is so precious to Hashem, the ambivalence somehow dissipates.

—Debbi H., Brooklyn, NY

Avremel’s Take

I had this desire to write a song that would honor  Klal Yisrael — but that’s not an easy task. I encouraged my brother, Rabbi Manis Friedman, to help me with the lyrics, and baruch Hashem, the song speaks for itself. It’s one of my favorite Yossi Green compositions.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)

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?

“Lamah Hashem” (Keep Climbing, 2012)

Woven into the fabric of triumphs and comfort in the organization I volunteer for are unfortunately times of heartbreaking pain, as people confront the reality that their lives will just never be normal. While the Jewish music market is vast and there are many songs to uplift during challenging times, I had never found a song that explores that deep, dark place of anguish and lets the listener just dwell in it.

And then Avraham Fried’s “Lamah Hashem” came out. In Dovid Hamelech’s hallowed words, in Avraham Fried’s haunting, lilting melody, suddenly that deep, searing pain got a voice:”Why, from a distance, when I need You close? And why do You hide b’eis tzarah?” Coming home from a harrowing day of being strong for others, of seeing to the practicalities that had to be dealt with, I would finally dissolve into tears with these words, letting me absorb the sadness, so I could eventually lift myself up and be a source of support.

—Esther Goldberg, NY

Avraham Fried has many beautiful, poignant songs but the one that touched my life the most and continues to do so is “Lamah Hashem.” Last year, I was at a point where I hit rock bottom. I was going through a messy divorce, had lost a job I loved, was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Throughout this hell, I kept singing “Lamah Hashem” — “Why are You standing at a distance when I need You close? Why do you hide in a time of tzarah?” Those words bought me so much comfort at a very depressing time. I felt like this tefillah had been written for me.

Avremel’s Take

I remember a few years ago there was a period where several tragedies occurred and it was unbearable. “Lamah Hashem” came to mind as my own way of screaming out to Hashem, and the melody and English words followed Dovid Hamelech’s words quickly and smoothly. I’m so glad you too find it comforting. May Hashem always manifest Himself close to us and not from a distance.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)

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?

“Shelach Li Koach” (Kamah Tov Shenifgashnu, 2017)

I was going through a tough stage in my life during which I felt that my heart was frozen and uninspired, my well of tears long dry, and I had a hard time talking to Hashem. “Shelach Li Koach” was like a piercing arrow slicing through the barriers of ice in my heart. I could not have conjured up these words of hope and prayer if I tried, too cold was my heart. But they articulated exactly what I wanted to express to Hashem. For me, the most striking words of the song were surely “Rak al tishbor li et halev,” for can a broken heart be broken even more? This song has opened up my heart again, allowing me to reattach myself to Hashem. I listen to this song again and again and sing my own heartfelt bakashos along.

—Leah M., London

Avremel’s Take

I’m sure your tefillos go straight to Shamayim, the way you’ve expressed yourself so honestly. I’m so happy to hear that the song helped you reconnect to Hashem. Let’s remember that neginah was created precisely for this reason: to help us connect. It’s amazing how different souls respond to different songs.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 791)