Lipa Schmeltzer

Lipa Shmeltzer (Schmelczer) is an American Hasidic entertainer, singer, actor, and composer. His albums have gained tremendous popularity 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.

Shmeltzer'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 Shmeltzer's identity as a bona-fide Hasid makes it more appealing to a wider Hasidic audience, and therefore more dangerous. A number of communities have issued official notices to their members to avoid purchasing or listening to Shmeltzer's albums.

Proponents argue that Shmeltzer 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 since Yom Tov Ehrlich.

Shmeltzer is himself a Hasid of the Skverer Rebbe and he resides in New Square with his family. Under the guidance of the Rebbe, he is said to have declined to perform at events with mixed seating for men and women, despite offers of lucrative compensation. In previous years he has been a highlighted performer for official Skver functions.

Discography

Nor B'simcha
Shema
Lemaranan (Skverer Niggunim)
Heibt Eich (Purim in Skver)
Letovah
L'eila Ul'eila
Lipa Baderech
Keinainehora

His music videos have been great hits, mostly created for viewing at the annual HASC concert. They include:

Gelt
Six Flags Spoof
Abi M'leibt (Parody of The Tokens' hit, The Lion Sleeps Tonight)

External links