Lipa Schmeltzer
 | This article possibly contains original research. (February 2008) |
Elazar Lipa Schmelczer is an American Hasidic entertainer, singer, actor, and composer, popular in Israel and worldwide.
Musical Career and Controversies
Schmeltzer's albums have gained tremendous popularity within the American Hasidic community due in part to his masterful Yiddish lyrics, original compositions, and, most of all, his innovations in fusing traditional Hasidic music with contemporary music styles.
Schmeltzer's albums have been controversial from the very beginning. Conservative elements within the Hasidic community are unhappy with the spread of Jewish music that is so heavily influenced by contemporary pop music. They further claim that Schmeltzer's identity as a bona-fide Hasid makes it more appealing to a wider Hasidic audience and therefore more likely to introduce contemporary music to their community, which tends to be insular and more reserved. The effect that Schmeltzer's music can have on members, especially younger ones, of the community is deemed dangerous by many Hasidic leaders. A number of communities have banned Schmeltzer's albums.
Proponents argue that Schmeltzer is a maverick in the world of Hasidic music. He pushes the envelope and is innovative in ways that no other Hasidic performer has been. But this is precisely to what the opposing view is objecting.
Schmeltzer is himself a Hasid of Rabbi David Twersky, the Skverer Rebbe and he resides in Airmont, New York with his family. Under the guidance of his Rebbe, he is said to have declined to perform at events with mixed seating for men and women, despite offers of lucrative compensation. Some Hasidic members of the Skvere Community conjecture that Schmeltzer does not follow the directives of the Grand Rabbi, who rejects Schmeltzer's style and performances, while others deny that there has even been any backlash against Lipa from within their community.
Backing out of event at Madison Square Garden
On February 26 2008 Lipa backed out of a concert in which he was supposed to perform at Madison Square Garden on March 9th after the most respected[citation needed] Hareidi leader of American Jewry today, R' Yosef Rosenblaum of Boro Park set down with Lipa to discuss and explain the issues involved. [1] It was later confirmed that he also pulled out of a concert scheduled in London later in March [2]
Discography
- Nor B'simcha
- Shema
- Lemaranan (Skverer Niggunim)
- The New Project X
- The Next Project X
- LIPA Sings HallEL
- Lipa L'toivu
- Lipa Baderech
- Leilu v'leilu
Videography
- Gelt
- Six Flags Spoof
- Abi M'leibt (Parody of The Tokens' hit, The Lion Sleeps Tonight)
- Diet