HASC Concert
{{short description|Jewish music concert}}{{Infobox recurring event
| logo = A Time for Music 38 logo.png
| logo_caption = The logo of A Time for Music 38
| frequency = annually
| country = United States
| years_active = 38
| first = {{start date and age|1988|01|17}}
| founder_name = Sheya Mendlowitz
| last = {{End date|2025|01|19}}
| next = January 2026
| attendance = 3,000
| free_label = Ticket price
| free_text = avg. $500
}}
The HASC Concert, also known as A Time for Music, is an annual concert benefiting Camp HASC, a summer camp for children with special needs.{{Cite news |date=1996-01-28 |title=BENEFITS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/28/style/benefits-003271.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Established in 1988, the concert is a prominent event within the Jewish music community.{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Riki |date=2021-03-10 |title=Behind the Screens |url=https://mishpacha.com/behind-the-screens/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Mishpacha Magazine |language=en-US}}
History
Camp HASC was established in 1963 by Rabbi Max and Blanche Kahn. It offers therapeutic, medical, and educational services to its campers.{{Cite web |last=Farrell |date=2019-01-17 |title=A Time For Music 32: The Camp HASC Concert |url=https://www.5tjt.com/a-time-for-music-32-the-camp-hasc-concert/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Five Towns Jewish Times |language=en-US}} It offers a combination of academic and recreational activities, supported by a team of staff and medical professionals.{{Cite web |title=Camp HASC |url=https://www.camphasc.org/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=www.camphasc.org}}
The inaugural HASC concert took place on January 17, 1988. Sheya Mendlowitz conceived the concert after visiting Camp HASC in the 1980s and learning about the camp's financial difficulties.{{Cite web |title=How the HASC Concert A TIME For Music Began |url=https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/hasc-concert-time-music-began/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Jewish Insights |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-11 |title=HASC 37: The Show That Made History - Produced by Shlome Steinmetz |url=https://thelakewoodscoop.com/news/hasc-37-the-show-that-made-history-produced-by-shlome-steinmetz/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The Lakewood Scoop |language=en-US}} The first concert was held at the Lincoln Center. The concert has been held annually since and has become a significant fundraising event for the camp.
Format
The concert takes place in January and features a lineup of Jewish musical artists. Past performers have included Avraham Fried, Mordechai Ben David, Yaakov Shwekey, and Benny Friedman.{{Cite web |title=Camp HASC Presents 'A Time For Music 29' |url=https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/359746/camp-hasc-a-time-for-music-29-the-tourthe-experience.html |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The Yeshiva World |language=en-US}} The performers are typically not announced in advance.{{Cite web |last=Kinderlehrer |first=Moshe |date=2024-01-11 |title=A Beautiful HASC Experience This Past Sunday Night |url=https://jewishlink.news/a-beautiful-hasc-experience-this-past-sunday-night/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The Jewish Link |language=en}}
The concert is typically held at venues such as Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The program includes musical performances, duets, and sometimes theatrical presentations.
The concerts were previously released on DVD. Starting with A Time For Music 31, a livestream was offered instead of a DVD release.
Production
Sheya Mendlowitz produced the concert for its first thirty years. Eli Gerstner produced it from 2016 to 2022, followed by Shloime Steinmetz from 2023.
The concert was originally directed for the first thirty years by Yisroel Lamm, conducting the Neginah Orchestra. Following his retirement, various conductors participated, sometimes several in one show, including Yoeli Dikman,{{Cite web |last=Leifer |first=Netanel |date=2019-01-07 |title=האסק 32: צפו בטעימות מהערב היוקרתי |url=https://www.kikar.co.il/music-news/302813 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Kikar HaShabbat |language=he |archive-date=2024-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213182448/https://www.kikar.co.il/music-news/302813 |url-status=live }} Rafi Grady,{{Cite web |title=34th annual HASC concert, also during COVID |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/296866 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Israel National News |archive-date=2024-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301040053/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/296866 |url-status=live }} Yuval Stupel,{{Cite web |date=2020-01-14 |title=חיים טויטו מגיש: קונצרט האסק 33 • גלריה נוצצת |trans-title=Chaim Tuito presents: Hasc Concert 33 • Sparkling Gallery |url=https://archive.jdn.co.il/breakingnews/1261878/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=JDN |language=he-IL}} Tzvi Blumenfeld of Freilach Band, and Mendy Hershkowitz.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-01-10 |title=האסק 36: צפו בתיעוד מהמופע היוקר.. |url=https://www.kikar.co.il/music-news/435280 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Kikar HaShabbat |language=he}}
The concert is hosted by Nachum Segal, who succeeded the original host, Zale Newman.
Chaim Tutio has been the official concert photographer since 2016,{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Gallery: 37th ‘A Time for Music’ HASC Concert |url=https://chabadinfo.com/news/gallery-37th-a-time-for-music-hasc-concert/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=chabadinfo.com |language=en-US}} succeeding Stan Weiss.{{Cite web |title=HASC 26 Through The Photo Lens of Stan Weiss {{!}} Jewish Insights |url=https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/hasc-26-photo-lens-stan-weiss/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |language=en-US}}
Recent concerts
The 37th concert, held on January 5, 2024, included a hologram of performer Shlomo Carlebach,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-11 |title=Annual HASC Concert Entertained For 4 Hours |url=https://collive.com/annual-hasc-concert-entertained-for-4-hours/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=COLlive |language=en-US}} which generated controversy.{{Cite web |last=בלייך |first=חנני |title=הקהילה החרדית בניו יורק עוד סוערת מההולוגרמה של ר' שלמה קרליבך |trans-title=The ultra-orthodox community in New York is still in turmoil over Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach's hologram |url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/magazine/dyukan/732093/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=Makor Rishon |language=he}}
Timeline
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Year !Theme !Featured Performers !Venue |
| 1988
|Around the Year |Mordechai Ben David, Avraham Fried, Yoel Sharabi |
| 1989
|25 Year Tribute to Jewish Music |Mordechai Ben David, ShIomo Carlebach, David Werdyger, Dveykus, Piamentas, Ben Zion Shenker, Jo Amar, Or Chodosh, Pirchei, Avraham Rosenblum |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 1990
| |Avraham Fried, Harmony, Abie Rotenberg, Mordechai Ben David |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 1991
| |Mordechai Ben David, Dveykus, Journeys, Kol Achai, London School of Jewish Song |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 1992
|Showcase of the Masters |Mordechai Ben David, Regesh, Abie Rotenberg, Piamenta, Yaron Gershovsky |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 1993
|The Concert of a Lifetime |Mordechai Ben David, Shlomo Carlebach, Baruch Chait, Abie Rotenberg |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 1994
|The Next Stage |Mordechai Ben David, Miami Boys Choir, Gershon Veroba, Sandy Shmuely, Moshe Yess |
| 1995
|Only Music |Mordechai Ben David, Miami Boys Choir |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 1996
|Cities Salute Jerusalem |Avraham Fried, Prague Symphony Orchestra |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 1997
|Tenth Anniversary |Dedi Graucher, Mendy Wald, Yeedle Werdyger |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 1998
|The Next Decade |Mordechai Ben David, Dedi Graucher, Amit Listvand |
| 1999
|Bar Mitzvah Celebration |Mordechai Ben David, Dedi Graucher, Abie Rotenberg, Toronto Kol Chaveirim Choir |Metropolitan Opera House |
| 2000
| |Mordechai Ben David, Avraham Fried, Amit Listvand |Metropolitan Opera House |
| 2001
| |Mordechai Ben David, Avraham Fried, Ruby Harris, Toronto Vocal Ensemble |Metropolitan Opera House |
| 2002
|United We Stand |Mordechai Ben David, Dedi Graucher, Baruch Abittan, Srully Williger, Shlomo Simcha, Abie Rotenberg, Yossi Green |Metropolitan Opera House |
| 2003
|Vintage MBD |Mordechai Ben David, Yaakov Shwekey, Srully Williger, Shloime Dachs, Shomo Simcha |Metropolitan Opera House |
| 2004
|The Jerusalem Experience |Mordechai Ben David, Shalsheles, Srully Williger, Chaim Dovid, Lipa Schmeltzer, Benzion Miller, Yaron Gershovsky |
| 2005
|Chai |Yaakov Shwekey, Yeshiva Boys Choir, Srully Williger, Ohad Moskowitz, Shlomo Simcha, Yossi Green, The Rabbis' Sons, Piamentas, Baruch Levine, Matisyahu, Eli Gerstner, Lipa Schmeltzer, Rivie Schwebel, Dov Levine, Baruch Chait, Heshy Walfish, Itzel Weinberger |The Theater at Madison Square Garden |
| 2006
| |Yaakov Shwekey, Abie Rotenberg, Yeshiva Boys Choir |
| 2007
| |Avraham Fried, Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, Lipa Schmeltzer, Dovid Gabay, Ohad Moskowitz, Dedi Graucher, Baruch Levine, Shalsheles Junior |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2008
| |Avraham Fried, Yitzchok Meir Helfgot, Ohad Moskowitz, Dudu Fisher, Shlomo Katz, Yeshiva Boys Choir, Eitan Katz |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2009
| |Yaakov Shwekey, Yitzchok Meir Helfgot, Yehuda Green, Dovid Gabay, Baruch Levine, Abie Rotenberg, Piamenta |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2010
| |Avraham Fried, Lipa Schmeltzer, Dedi Graucher, Yitzchak Fuchs{{Cite web |title=HASC XXIII Review & Photos {{!}} Jewish Insights |url=https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/hasc-xxiii-review-photos/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |language=en-US}} |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2011
|A Time for Duets |Abie Rotenberg, Baruch Levine, Ohad Moskowitz, Yehuda Green, Lipa Schmeltzer, Shloime Gertner, Shalsheles, Shalsheles Jr, Avraham Fried, Benny Friedman, Yonatan Shainfeld, Yeshiva Boys Choir{{Cite web |date=2011-01-10 |title=HASC 24: An Overview of the Concert! |url=https://mostlymusic.com/blogs/news-updates/15608013-hasc-24-an-overview-of-the-concert |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Mostly Music |language=en}} |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2012
|A Time For Celebration |Avraham Fried, Lipa Schmeltzer, Shloime Gertner, Ohad Moskowitz, Dedi Graucher, Dovid Gabay, Abie Rotenberg, Eitan Katz, Yehuda Green, Chaim Dovid, Uncle Moishy, Yoel Sharabi, Shalsheles, Shalsheles Jr, Maccabeats, Yitzchok Meir Helfgot, Journeys, Srully Williger, Mendy Wald, Shloime Dachs, Baruch Levine, Miami Boys Choir{{Cite web |title=HASC 25 Recap |url=https://mostlymusic.com/blogs/news-updates/15605297-hasc-25-recap |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Mostly Music |language=en}} |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2013
|We're Back |Mordechai Ben David, Avraham Fried, Abie Rotenberg, Michoel Pruzansky, Yeedle Werdyger, Benny Friedman{{Cite web |last=Zweig |first=Yossi |date=2013-01-18 |title=HASC XXVI Review/Recap |url=https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/hasc-xxvi-reviewrecap/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Jewish Insights |language=en-US}} |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2014
|40 Years of Camp HASC |Avraham Fried, Abie Rotenberg, Diaspora Yeshiva Band, Ohad Moskowitz, Baruch Levine, Benny Friedman, 8th Day, Ari Goldwag, Ieshula Ishakis |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2015
| |Yaakov Shwekey, Abie Rotenberg, Benny Friedman, Simcha Leiner, Dedi Graucher |Avery Fisher Hall |
| 2016
| |Yaakov Shwekey, Abie Rotenberg, 8th Day, Lev Tahor, Yonatan Razel |David Geffen Hall |
| 2017
|A 30 Year Celebration |Abie Rotenberg, Rivie Schwebel, Baruch Levine, Avraham Fried, Yaakov Shwekey{{Cite web |title=A T.I.M.E. For Celebration – Camp HASC Celebrates 30 Years |url=https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/time-celebration-hasc-celebrates-30-years/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Jewish Insights |language=en-US}} |David Geffen Hall |
| 2018
| |Avraham Fried, Ari Goldwag, Shalsheles, Meilech Kohn, Eli Gerstner, Yeshiva Boys Choir, Simcha Leiner, Baruch Chait{{Cite web |title=A TIME FOR MUSIC 31 RECAP {{!}} Jewish Insights |url=https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/time-music-31-recap/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724130829/https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/time-music-31-recap/ |url-status=live }} |David Geffen Hall |
| 2019
| |Zusha, Pumpidisa, Matt Dubb, Abie Rotenberg, Shlomo Simcha, Mordechai Shapiro, Beri Weber, Or Chodosh, Eli Gerstner, Shlomo Schachter, Yishai Lapidot, Yaakov Shwekey, Abie Rotenberg{{Cite web |last=Zweig |first=Yossi |title=HASC: A Time For Music 32 Recap |url=https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/hasc-time-music-32-recap/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Jewish Insights |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724114640/https://www.thejewishinsights.com/wp/hasc-time-music-32-recap/ |url-status=live }} |David Geffen Hall |
| 2020
| |Avraham Fried, Ishay Ribo, Benny Friedman, Simcha Leiner, Joey Newcomb |David Geffen Hall |
| 2021
| |Beri Weber, Matt Dubb, Joey Newcomb, Baruch Levine, Yaakov Shwekey, Avraham Fried |American Dream{{Cite web |last=Scarr |first=Cindy |date=2023-09-26 |title=Concerted Efforts |url=https://mishpacha.com/concerted-efforts/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Mishpacha Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006190752/https://mishpacha.com/concerted-efforts/ |url-status=live }} |
| 2022
| |Avraham Fried, Chaim Yisrael, Joey Newcomb, Mordechai Shapiro, Ishay Ribo, Lipa Schmeltzer |
| 2023
| |Yaakov Shwekey, Akiva, Shulem Lemmer, Itzik Dadya, Eitan Katz, Yitzy Waldner, Miami Boys Choir |
| 2024
|A Time for Unity |Shulem Lemmer, Benny Friedman, Ari Hill, Shalom Berholtz, Shmuel, Mordechai Shapiro, Baruch Levine, Alex Clare, Avraham Fried, Matt Dubb{{Cite web |last=Zweig |first=Yossi |title=A Time For Music 37 |url=https://www.camphasc.org/past-concerts/a-time-for-music-37 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Camp HASC |language=en}} |New Jersey Performing Arts Center |
| 2025
|Beyond Words |Eli Schwebel, Rivie Schwebel, Benny Friedman, Avraham Fried, Shuli Rand, Zusha, Yonatan Razel, Yaakov Shwekey |New Jersey Performing Arts Center |