Gad Elbaz Goes Back to Shtetl

An unplanned trip to an antique store catapults Israeli singing sensation Gad Elbaz back through the generations to a 19th century Ukrainian shtetl, a simpler time and place where, despite the lack of modern conveniences, joy was all around for the taking.

“L’Chaim,” the music video for the title track of Gad Elbaz’s new album, was filmed on location in Ukraine and New York, and is the most expensive production in Jewish music video history, producer Danny Finkelman told COLlive.

L’chaim, a Sparks Next production by Finkelman, is a joyous expression in contrasts, as energy and nostalgia, klezmer and hip hop and past and present come together in an exuberant celebration of life.

Elbaz finds himself warmly welcomed by villagers and their rabbi, rapper Nissim Black, and together they capture the euphoria of days gone by, where all you needed to be happy was a big smile and a hearty glass of spirits on which to make a heartfelt L’chaim.

In a world where we find ourselves overscheduled and overburdened by gadgets designed to make our lives easier, L’chaim captures the purity of days gone by and our deep longing for the most elusive goal of all, true happiness.

The music video was made possible by Pic-A-Kippa – specializing in custom made Kippas

Lyrics By — Nissim Black
Music Producers – Amir Katz DR’ C’han
Additional Music — Gad Elbaz
Mixing Engineer — Oren Emanue
Produced and Directed by: Daniel Finkelman
Production: ZOAB Entertainment Shlomi Cohen