Music is the language of the soul, the words of the heart, and our collective heart can benefit immensely from a few hours of pure joy, moving warmth and extraordinary talent. This is what inspired Chabad Lubavitch, a prominent Montana Jewish group with five branches across the state, to invite Shulem to debut in Montana for a concert at Downtown Bozeman’s Ellen Theatre on Sunday, March 3rd at 6pm.
Shulem Lemmer, an Iconic New Jersey vocalist, who grew up in New York’s Belz Hasidic community, is the first person raised Hasidic to sign with a major label, Decca Gold, which is part of the Universal Music Group. His album, The Perfect Dream, brought Shulem to the world stage, playing at Fenway Park in Boston, Citi Field in New York, Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City and across the globe, from Sydney to Salzburg to London. These were significant achievements For Shulem – who, like Jewish singers Matisyahu and Drake, goes by one name – and he’s excited about coming to Big Sky country.
Though the event was planned before the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7th, it comes at an important time for American Jewry and at a vital juncture for humanity. As a rising wave of antisemitism plagues the United States, the Jewish community is finding innovative ways to strengthen itself from within, including more public expressions of their Jewish identities, but local Jews are also seeking the support and solidarity from the greater Montana community who cherishes life, believes in treating all human beings with dignity, and who pray for the welfare of Jerusalem. Shulem’s unique blend of music is great for Jews and non-Jews alike, as his songs which range from “Fiddler on the Roof” to “The Greatest Showman” to Cantorial inspiration, are mesmerizing. And while mostly in English, the music is coupled with a dash of Yiddish, Hebrew and Aramaic, making for a perfect event for Bozeman, a community that appreciates the arts, music and talent.
“Every day people meet me on Main Street or at the Mall, at the coffee shops and banks, in Ubers and at Bridger Bowl, they see my Yarmulke and beard, they can tell that I’m Jewish, and they tell me that they stand with the Jewish community, they support Israel” says Rabbi Chaim Bruk, organizer of the concert. “This concert is a great way for Montana to show up, to enjoy Jewish entertainment, and express that communal unity and oneness, practically.”
Advance tickets begin at $37.50 and are available for purchase at www.theellentheatre.com or at the door as space allows. Premium and VIP admission also available. •
