Ohad Moskowitz

Ohad Moskowitz
אוהד מושקוביץ
Background information
Born (1974-09-02) September 2, 1974 (age 50)
Belgium
GenresContemporary Jewish religious music
Websitehttp://www.ohadm.com/

Ohad Moskowitz (born September 2, 1974),[1] known professionally as Ohad, is a Belgian-born Israeli Orthodox Jewish vocalist who is one of the superstars of the contemporary Jewish religious music scene. He rose to international stardom in 2003 with his first solo album, Vearastich, produced by Yossi Green.

Music career

Ohad began his career singing back-up vocals for Orthodox Jewish stars such as Mordechai Ben David and Dedi Graucher.[2] His first American performance[3] took place in 2003 at Yossi Green's annual Jewish hospice benefit concert at the Lincoln Center.[4] Green was so impressed with the audience's reaction to Ohad's singing that he offered to produce Ohad's first album. Green wrote several songs for the album, including the title track, "Vearastich" (I Will Betroth You).[2]

Ohad's debut album catapulted him to fame. He was named Singer of the Year at the Hasidic Music "People of the Year" ceremony in Israel in 2004.[5] He was a featured singer at the HASC 18 "A Time for Music" in 2005.[6] He was also a featured vocalist at HASC 20 (2007);[7] HASC 21 (2007) (where he performed as one of the "Four Tenors" alongside Avraham Fried, Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, and Dudu Fisher[8]); HASC 24 (2010) (where he sang a duet with Hasidic singer and hazzan Yehuda Green[9]); HASC 25 (2011);[10] and HASC 27 (2013).[11] Ohad also performs at concerts benefiting Ohel[12] and other Jewish charity organizations.[13]

In 2008 Ohad performed a new Yossi Green song dedicated to Chabad shluchim around the world in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which targeted the Chabad house there.[14] He was one of over 30 Orthodox Jewish superstars appearing on the 2010 Unity for Justice album to benefit the legal defense of Sholom Rubashkin.[15]

Ohad sings at Jewish weddings and Chol HaMoed events with choirs such as the Gershon Freishtat Orchestra,[16] the Yedidim Choir,[17] the KMR Boys Choir,[18] and the Miami Boys Choir,[19] His 2009 hit, Bo'i Kala, set to the words of the traditional song accompanying the bride to the chuppah, is a remake of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".[20][21]

Vocal style

Ohad has an exceptionally wide vocal range and high vocal register, with the capacity to hold high notes.[4][7][22]

Personal life

Ohad was born in Belgium.[23][24] He began singing at an early age. He attended the Talmudic college Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh. After his marriage, he immigrated to Israel.[24] He resides in Modi'in with his wife and children.[4]

In 2011 he recorded a duet for his song "Birkat HaBanim" (Bless the Children) with his firstborn son Eyal, then aged 13. While the boy shows talent, Ohad prefers that he perform in the school choir and in the studio with him, but not on stage.[25]

Discography

  • Oh! Ohad: Vearastich (2003)
  • Ohad Live in New York (2006)[26]
  • Oh! Ohad II (2008)
  • My Music (2009)
  • Ohad III (2011)
  • Segula (2015)
  • Beshaah Tova (2018)

References

  1. ^ Cohen, Efrat (20 July 2014). ווקאלי ליום: אוהד מושקוביץ בשיר 'ברכת הילדים' [Vocal of the Day: Ohad Moskowitz sings 'Bless the Children'] (in Hebrew). Hidabroot. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Oh!ad". Jewish Music Reviews. 24 August 2004. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Ohad Moskowitz First Performance Ever on an American Stage". gruntig.net. 8 November 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Turner, Tzvi; Bresky, Binyamin (23 November 2003). "Interview with Yossi Green". Cleveland Jewish Radio. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  5. ^ Shiloni, Smadar (11 November 2004). מיהם אנשי השנה במוזיקה החסידית? [Who are the People of the Year in Hasidic Music?]. Ynetnews (in Hebrew). Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  6. ^ "HASC 18 - Adetanya - Ohad, Shlomo Simcha & Yossi Green (video)". Sameach Music. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  7. ^ a b Levy, Lazer (6 December 2007). "Illumination from the Past and Present" (PDF). Jewish Tribune. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  8. ^ "The 4 Tenors/Cantors: Fried, Helfgot, Dudu & Ohad – Sheyiboneh (video)". YouRepeat.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  9. ^ "Fried, Benny Duet at HASC 24". COLLive. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  10. ^ "Ohad Singing Barcelona At HASC 25 (video)". Mah Nishmah. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  11. ^ "HASC – A Time for Music 27 DVD". eichlers.com. 2013. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  12. ^ "Ohad! A-Z Report". The Jewish Insights. November 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Jerusalem Day Concert Supports Work of Zula". Orthodox Union. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  14. ^ "Yossi Green's Shluchim Song". COLLive. 4 December 2008.
  15. ^ Soffer, Mica (23 August 2010). "Unity Brings Singers Together". COLLive. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  16. ^ "Ohad! performing LIVE on Radio Gal Kol". The Jewish Insights. March 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  17. ^ "Ohad Moskowitz & Yedidim Choir "Second Dance Set" (video)". Zingmit. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  18. ^ "Ohad Moskowitz With The KMR Boys Choir Vehi Sheamda (video)". Mah Nishmah. 2012. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  19. ^ "Miami Mashiach". 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  20. ^ Cashman, Greer Fay (16 March 2012). "Cantering Ahead". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  21. ^ "Ohad Moskowitz - Boi Kala (video)". gruntig.net. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  22. ^ "Review of Ohad Moskowitz's "My Music"". Jewish Music Report. 23 September 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  23. ^ "Iconic Israeli Rockers Team up with Hasidic Singer". Israel National News. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  24. ^ a b ביוגרפיה [Biography] (in Hebrew). Ohad. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  25. ^ Nagler-Cohen, Liron (7 August 2011). שירים מהחורבן [Songs from the Destruction of the Temple]. Ynetnews (in Hebrew).
  26. ^ "Ohad! Live in New York (featuring Ohad Moskowitz, Kinderlach & Yishai Lapidot) DVD". eichlers.com. 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2014.