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Mordechai Ben David

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Mordechai Ben David
Birth nameMordechai Werdyger
Also known asThe King of Jewish Music
Born(1951-04-16)April 16, 1951(age 73)[1]
OriginSea Gate,Brooklyn,New York
GenresOrthodox pop
Occupation(s)
  • Vocalist
  • composer
Years active1973–present
LabelsMBD

Mordechai Werdyger(born April 16, 1951) is an American IsraeliChasidicJewishsinger and songwriter who is popular in theOrthodox Jewishcommunity. He is the son ofcantorDavid Werdygerand uses thestage nameMordechai Ben David(Hebrew:מרדכי בן דוד,romanized:Mordocháy Ben-Davíd,lit. 'Mordechai, son of David') or its initials,MBD.He is known as the "King of Jewish Music"and has released over 40 albums while performing internationally. He has headlined at charity concerts—including those of theHASCandOhel.On February 27, 2022, he was inducted with the inaugural class of the Jewish Music Hall of Fame.

Genre[edit]

Werdyger began his musical career in the early 1970s, a time whenHazzanutwas the main source of recorded music inJewish Orthodoxcircles, with very few solo singer performers. Werdyger was inspired byBentzion ShenkerandShlomo Carlebach,who had started a genre rooted in Hasidic and American folk song in the early 1960s.

Werdyger followed after his fatherDavid,and chose the name Mordechai Ben David (Mordechai Son of David) as his stage name to honor him. In contrast to his father, who recorded classic Hasidicniggunim(melodies) with cantorial vocals and classical instruments, Mordechai blended traditional Hasidic singing with modern and popular music techniques. He was encouraged in this by RabbiChaim Zanvl Abramowitz,the Ribnitzerrebbe.[2]

Many of Werydger's lyrics are based on Hebrew prayer, biblical passages, and Jewish religious poetry, known asZemiros.Other songs, composed in English,Yiddish,andModern Hebrew,carry religious themes such as the sanctity ofShabbosand the yearning forMoshiach.His recordings include traditional Chasidic melodies of Eastern European folk-style alongside more modernjazz,pop,androck music.[citation needed]

Werdyger worked with composers and arrangers including Yisroel Lamm of the Neginah Orchestra andMona Rosenblum,as well as Suki Berry,Moshe LauferandYossi Green,Boruch ChaitandAbie Rotenberg,Hershel Lebovits and Nachman Klein. He has also collaborated with musicians includingYaron Gershovsky(director of theManhattan Transfer),Daniel FreibergandKen Burgess.

Werdyger was a soloist on a number of his late father David Werdyger's albums. He has also appeared on albums produced and sung by his sonYeedle Werdyger,and brotherMendy Werdyger.He has appeared on a number of "All Star Cast" albums produced by Suki & Ding, Gideon Levine, and Avi Fischoff.

Together with producer Sheya Mendlowitz, he producedAvraham Fried'sfirst solo album, entitled "No Jew Will Be Left Behind"in 1981. That same year, Sheya was involved with two of Mordechai's releases:" Mordechai Ben David Live "(his first live album) and" Memories ", which was written in memory of his mother. This album also featured a number of songs composed byYerachmiel Begunof the Toronto andMiami Boys Choirs.Over the following next few years, Sheya and Mordechai jointly produced a number of hit albums together, including: his "MBD & Friends" (1987), "Mostly Horas" (1987), "Yisroel Lamm & The Philharmonic Experience" (1988), and "25 Years of Jewish Music" (1988). Sheya Mendlowitz went on to produce Mordechai's "Simen Tov - Keitzad" (single album) (1989), and "The Double Album" (1990).

Music and politics[edit]

Some of Werdyger's songs have carried political messages.

In 1984 and 1985, MBD's songs "Hold On" and "Let My People Go" focused on the Jewishrefusenikplight behind theSovietIron Curtain.While "Hold On" expresses hope, "Let My People Go" specifically calls for "support and pressure" to freeAnatoly Natan SharanskyandIda Nudelfrom Soviet captivity.[3]

In 1986 MBD's quasi-rock beat "Jerusalem Is Not For Sale" spearheaded theHarediopposition to Mormon missionary practice inJerusalem.The lyrics included such phrases as:

"You better run for your life, back to Utah overnight, before the mountain top opens wide to swallow you inside." "The wars, the pain, brought masses returning, back to their roots more than ever. The leftists fiercely fighting truth, dampening the sparks still burning. So wake up my friend, this is the very end, the arrows are pointing our way!"[4][5]

1994's "Yerushalayim We Will Never Leave You", recorded in Hebrew and English, protested the intent of dividing Jerusalem under theOslo I Accord.

MBD released a single track in 1996, named "Chevron Always And Forever" (heb.חברון מאז ולתמיד), protesting proposedIsraeliconcessions overHebronunder theOslo IIInterim Agreement.

In 1999, on a track sung in Hebrew, "Ad Matay" (heb.עד מתי), written byChaim Walder,Werdyger took on tensions between Israeli secular and religious parties. This dramatic composition expressed a heart-wrenching cry against internal hatred and takes an indirect shot at anti-religious politiciansYossi Sarid(Meretz) andTommy Lapid(Shinui) by rhyming their surnames into a phrase depicting "the flame of hatred [lapidlitflame] which leaves no remnants [saridlitremnant] ".

In 2010, MBD re-wrote his famous English song "Unity", expressing protest of alleged Federal injustice toSholom Rubashkinin his widely publicized case in the U.S. The song, renamed "Unity For Justice", was performed by MBD together with Avraham Fried andforty famous Jewish singers.AnHD Videorecording was publicized on a petition website as well as the social network.[6][7]

Family[edit]

His father,David Werdyger,was ahazzan(cantor) andHolocaustsurvivor originally fromKraków.His brother,Mendy,is also a Jewish singer and owner of the Jewish record label Aderet Records and its retail store inBoro Park, Brooklyn.[8]His son,Yeedle,[9]and nephew,Yisroel Werdyger(Mendy's son),[10]are also Jewish singers.[11]

His wife, Esther, is the daughter and sister of hazzanim.[2]His brother-in-law Ari Klein is a cantor who has recorded several albums. His cousin, Shmilu Rosenberg of Canada released two albums in the 1980s.

In April 2017, Werdyger wrote and released a song titled "Boee Besholom" dedicated to the marriage of his granddaughter. The song was sung at the wedding by Werdyger andLipa Schmeltzerwho was one of the guests.

He records in his private studio inSea Gate, Brooklyn.

His single "Yachad Shivtei Yisrael"[12]was composed in honor of the 2012Siyum HaShas.

A single composed for theDays of Awe,"Nekom", was released in 2015.

In June 2017 he released the albumTzeakaincluding soloistsMotty Steimetzand Nussi Fuchs.

Werdyger does not sing at mixed concerts.[citation needed]

Song adaptations[edit]

A few of his songs are adaptations of well-known, non-Jewish songs.

  • "Hinei Lo Yanum" onHineni(1974) is an adaptation of "Mamy Blue",originally composed by veteran French songwriterHubert Giraudin 1970. In May 1971, Alain Milhaud, a French record producer based in Spain, acquired the song forPop-Tops.
  • "Shir Hashalom" on his Neshama-Soul album (1975) is an adaptation fromBobby Vinton's "My Melody of Love".
  • "Blow the Shofer" on Moshiach is Coming Soon (1980) is an adaptation ofSalvatore Adamo's "Tombe La Neige".
  • "Lichtiger Shabbos" onJust One Shabbos(1982) [retitled "Yiddish" onSolid MBD(1993)] is an adaptation of "Close Every Door To Me", from the musical theater productionJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,byTim RiceandAndrew Lloyd Webber.
  • "Kumt Aheim" onJerusalem: Not For Sale(1986), commonly referred to as "Yidden" and retitled as such for the CD release, uses the music of "Dschinghis Khan"(English: Genghis Khan), from the German bandDschinghis Khan.
  • "Father Dear" onYerushalayim Our Home(1988) [retitled "Daddy Dear" onThe English Collection(1998)] uses music from the song "Little Boy and the Old Man",written by singer-songwriterWayne Shanklin.

In addition, "V'chol Ma'aminim", from his album of the same name, was an adaptation of "Tov Lehodos", an earlier song by Shlomo Carlebach.

Discography[edit]

Solo albums[edit]

  • Mordechai Ben David Werdyger Sings Original Chassidic Nigunim(1973)
  • Hineni(1974)
  • Neshama Soul(1975)
  • I'd Rather Pray and Sing(1977)
  • V'chol Ma'aminim - Songs of Yomim Noraim(1978)
  • Moshiach Is Coming Soon(1980)
  • Mordechai Ben David Live(1981)
  • Memories(1981)
  • Ich Hob Gevart(I Have Waited)(1982)
  • Just One Shabbos(1982)
  • Around the Year Vol. 1(1983)
  • Hold On(1984)
  • Let My People Go(1985)
  • Jerusalem Not For Sale(1986)
  • MBD and Friends(1987)
  • Jerusalem Our Home - Lekovod Yom Tov(1988)
  • Siman Tov/Kaitzad(single) (1989)
  • The Double Album(1990)
  • Solid MBD(1990)
  • Live in Yerushalayim(1991)
  • Moshiach, Moshiach, Moshiach(1992)
  • Tomid B'Simcha - Always Happy(1994)
  • Once Upon a Niggun(1996)
  • Chevron - Always & Forever(single) (1996)
  • Ein Od Milvado(1997)
  • The English Collection(1998)
  • We Are One(1999)
  • Maaminim(2001)
  • Kumzits(2003)
  • Nachamu Ami(2004)
  • Oorah(single) (2005)
  • Efshar Letaken(2006)
  • Yiddish Collection(2007)
  • Anovim Anovim(single) (2008)
  • Oorah(single) (2008)
  • Levado - Mishpacha(single) (2008)
  • Kulam Ahuvim(2009)
  • Platinum Collection(2009)
  • Kisufim(2011)
  • Omdos Hoyu(single) (2012)
  • Yachad Shivtei Yisrael(single) (2012)
  • Afofuni(single) (2013)
  • Nekom(single) (2015)
  • Tzeaka(2017)
  • Kdei Rabi Shimon(single) (2019)
  • Day(single) (2020)
  • Le'shana Haba'a Benei Chorin(single) (2021)
  • Forever/Lanetzach(single) (2022)
  • Hashpuois(2022)

On his father David Werdyger's albums[edit]

  • L'dovid Mizmor "Songs of David"(1960) (Credited as Marc)
  • Gerer Melava Malka Melodies(1963)
  • Skulaner Nigunim - Oidchu Hashem(1968)
  • Melodies of Camp Kol-Ree-Nah(1969)
  • Chassidic Nigunim(1971)
  • Skulaner Nigunim 2(1977)
  • Melitzer Oneg Shabbos 2(1979)
  • Boyaner Nigunim - Yismechu Bemalchuscha(1980)
  • Sadegurer Nigunim(1981) (Mordechai Ben David Orchestra)
  • Satmerer Nigunim(1981)
  • Father & Sons Biglal Avos(1984)
  • Esso Einai El Hehorim(1985)
  • A Shabbos with David Werdyger(1990)

Collaborations[edit]

  • Jewish Education Program [JEP],Vol. 4Someday We Will All Be Together(1979)
  • Jerusalem(1983)
  • Simcha(1984)
  • Torah(1985)
  • Hallel(1987)
  • 25 Years of Jewish Music(1988)
  • The Bentching Tape(1993)
  • Yeedle,Together(1993)
  • 3 Generations - Yom Shekulo Shabbos(1993)
  • Special Moments With Mordechai Ben David, Mendy, & Yeedle Werdyger - The Wedding Album(1995)
  • Yeedle,Laasos Retzon Avicha(1995)
  • Best of the Best 1(1996)
  • Solid Gold Volume 1(1997)
  • Solid Gold Volume 2(1998)
  • Lev Vanefesh II(1998)
  • Mona 3(1998)
  • Solid Gold Volume 3(1999)
  • Hameshorerim(1999)
  • Ken Burgess,I'll Never Walk Alone in the Desert(2000)
  • All Star Collection(2000)
  • The Vocal Version(2001)
  • Best of the Best 2(2002)
  • Yeedle,IV(2002)
  • Mona,Mona 4(2003)
  • Sheves Achim,Shabbos In Mezibuz(2004)
  • Ken Burgess,Melech(2005)
  • Brand New(2005)
  • Shabbos With the Werdygers 1(2006)
  • Yeedle,Lev Echad(2008)
  • Hameorerim(2008)
  • The 8th Note(2008)
  • Shabbos With the Werdygers 2(2010)
  • Lipa Schmeltzer,Meimka Dlipa: From the Depth of My Heart(2010)
  • Miami Boys Choir,Light Up the Nights&Greatest Dance Hits(2010)
  • Big Time - Alter Heim - Then & Now(2011)[13]
  • Yeedle,A Verdige Yid(2013)
  • Shir(2014)
  • Shir2(2016)
  • Lev El Haneshama(2019)
  • All Star-Teniyos(2022)
  • Ata Zocher (Single)-MBD &Ishay Ribo(2023)

References[edit]

  1. ^Alpert, Yair (April 18, 2011)."Photos: MBD Celebrates His 60th Birthday".matzav.RetrievedApril 22,2011.
  2. ^abRosengarten, Gittel Chany (17 July 2013)."Living With the Star".MishpachaFamily First.pp. 14–20. Archived fromthe originalon 23 October 2013.Retrieved16 October2013.
  3. ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2012-12-24.Retrieved2012-08-26.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^Max, Arthur (April 28, 1986)."Mass Protest Against Mormon Building".Associated Press.Archived fromthe originalon August 15, 2022.
  5. ^Rosenberg, Yair(May 15, 2015)."The Mormons on Mount Scopus".Tablet.
  6. ^"Bạc tòa カラー bát vương tử cửa hàng がNew Open! ご dư ước はこちら".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-10-22.Retrieved2012-08-26.
  7. ^"חב" ד אינפו - חדשות חב "ד בארץ ובעולם".
  8. ^Ferber, Elisha (February 9, 2009)."Matzav 's Exclusive Interview With...Lipa Shmeltzer & Eli Gerstner".matzav.RetrievedApril 22,2011.
  9. ^"MBD Live in Israel featuring Aaron Razel & Yeedle".Jewish Insights. 2009.RetrievedApril 22,2011.
  10. ^"The Sheichet Interviews Yisroel Werdyger".Jewish Music Report. March 1, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon February 1, 2011.RetrievedApril 21,2011.
  11. ^"Rabbis call for boycott of Ben David".The Jewish Telegraph.UK. June 11, 2004.
  12. ^"MBD Sings New Song for the Siyum – Yachad".Archived fromthe originalon 2012-08-14.Retrieved2012-08-26.
  13. ^"Sheya Mendlowitz - Big Time - Alter Heim - Then & Now".
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