Fried Sings Father’s Zemiros

By COLlive reporter

Chasidic pop singer Avraham Fried is channeling his skills to raise funds for a foundation his family runs to assist Chabad Shluchim.

His new album, My Father’s Zemiros, is a collection of Jewish melodies that were sung at the Friedman’s Shabbos table.

Singing a capella, Fried is accompanied by his brothers and nephews, bringing to light the songs of the late Reb Yaakov Moshe Friedman, of blessed memory.

“It was meant for the family,” Rabbi Shlomo Friedman, his brother and administrator of Lubavitch Youth Organization in New York, told COLlive.

“We gave out the songs at family simches and weddings and Avremel was bombarded with requests for copies,” Friedman said. “We never thought there would be any greater interest.”

Fried said he was not looking to make money off “the family project,” and suggested the funds go to the Friedman-run Yad L’Shliach foundation.

Established in memory of their late father, the non-for-profit organization hands out random $1000 checks to Chabad couples on Shlichus.

The Zemiros album is available for download on their website – www.yadlshliach.org – for a donation of $18.

“Shluchim worldwide are struggling in these times, and we are trying to generate money for their personal expenses,” Shlomo Friedman added.

“We have distributed personal checks to 450 Shluchim so far. Some use it to fix an air conditioner, buy a sheitel or fly the children to visit their bubby and zeidy.”