The Chevra's 2nd Annual Concert - 2002 The Chevra is pleased to announce that they’re launching their second annual world tour in honor of their birthday. Seems like every time you turn around, the Chevra is about to come out with something new, innovative, and exciting. Think about it. They’ve already released two spectacular albums and are about to release the third, they are the performers of choice at concerts all across the country, and now they are about to launch their all-new second annual worldwide tour production. Can you actually believe that all this happened in only one year? That’s right. Sounds amazing, but it’s true. A little over a year ago, nobody ever heard of the Chevra. They hadn’t even released their first album. Yet today, the Chevra is already totally ingrained in our collective consciousness. They are an integral part of our vernacular. These days, nobody tells a musician, “I want to hear a song that’s hartzig” or “leibedik” or “soulful.” Instead, they say, “I want to hear something that sounds like the Chevra. Our community is thoroughly and completely ‘Chevra-ized’ by now. We talk about the “Chevra niggun”, the “Chevra technique”, the “Chevra sound”. Every new vocalist inevitably admits that he “wants to sound like the Chevra”. They’ve become the musical yardstick against which all other music is measured. To Eli Gerstner, who founded and nurtured the Chevra all through this remarkable year, this is the ultimate compliment. And as far as Eli is concerned, he couldn’t be more pleased. When the Chevra’s first album sold faster than any other in Jewish music history, they knew they’ve tapped into the heart and soul of the listening public. But it was only after they performed in front of a live audience that they understood just how deeply they’ve reached into those souls. The first Chevra concert was held just about a year ago at Brooklyn College. It was scary, it was surreal, it was electrifying -- but it was probably the most exhiliarating experience of their lives. “There was a certain ruach that night,” Eli remembers. “Two and a half thousand people were there. Hundreds of others were turned away for lack of space. None of us expected anything like this to happen.” Eli, Avi, Donny, Dovid and David now had to face the fact that the Chevra represented more than just pretty music. It now became larger than life. Ready or not, the world was watching them closely, carefully considering their every move. They were about to serve as role models to an eager listening public. They understood that it was essential to maintain a sense of dignity and decorum in their performances, and a heightened sense of purpose in their music. They insisted on shomrim security at their performances, to ensure that a wholesome and kosher atmosphere be adhered to throughout the evening. It’s been a wild and wonderful year for the Chevra, to be sure. But it’s also been a year of introspection and maturation. “At first, we all basked in the joy of our success,” says Eli. “And believe me, it’s been pretty exciting. But now everyone in the Chevra realizes that there’s more to their hatzlacha than rave reviews. They have the ability to be enlightening to others. They have the opportunity to spread chizuk and inspiration wherever they go. And they intend to do that wherever they perform.” The Chevra has already appeared in many cities all over the United States and Canada. They’ve been invited to perform in Australia, England, France, and Hong Kong. Apparently, the Chevra sound transcends all cultural and language barriers. Even the Orient seems to be inclined to join in the chorus of “Yehai”. But Eli and his Chevra will never forget the place where the magic began to happen. And that’s why they have decided to launch their all-new world tour at this very same location. The upcoming Second Annual Chevra Concert will be held on Motzei Shabbos, December 21st, at Brooklyn College. It will, of course, include all the favorite Chevra songs that we’ve come to know and love. And it will also include some very special feature presentations. “We’ll be performing some songs that we never performed before in concert,” says Eli. “And we’ll be introducing a brand new song as well.” The Chevra also plans to include a tribute to Shlomo Carlebach in this performance. And some outstanding new choreography. Being a part of the Chevra has its very special moments. Like the time they were all together late one night, after an exhausting performance in L.A. They received a letter from a little girl and they read it together in a rental car that evening. The little girl’s story was amazing. She wrote that her family was resisting her overtures to become more religious. They were completely indifferent to her attempts to become frum. But then, she heard about the Chevra and played their album for her family over and over again. They loved the music, and -- more important -- they related to the message it conveyed. Somehow it sparked something deep inside of them. Today they are joining her in her quest to become Torah Jews. Their lives have changed dramatically for the better. The little girl ends the letter by saying, “You are responsible for making my family happier and bringing them closer to Yiddishkeit.” Upon finishing to read this impassioned testimony to the Chevra there wasn’t a dry eye among them. So this, after all, is what it’s all about. Not the fame, the fortune, the interviews, and the rave reviews. Selling thousands of albums is gratifying, to be sure. So is being the focus of standing ovations. But it’s a letter like this one, from one little girl, that gives all their efforts a profound purpose. And that’s what ultimately makes it all worthwhile. So be there at Brooklyn College on December 21st. Buy your tickets before they’re completely sold out. Ticket information will be announced on the Nachum Segal radio show and in the Jewish Press. Or visit the Chevra’s website at www.thechevra.com. << Back to Press