Transformative Orthodox composer Yigal Calek

The internationally acclaimed founder and director of the London School of Jewish Song, Yigal Calek passed away during the festival of Sukkot, aged 80. Born in 1944 in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood, Calek was one of four children in a family that fled Poland’s pervasive antisemitism.

In the 1950s, seeking a more secure Orthodox Jewish life, the family relocated to the UK and moved to London’s Stamford Hill. From an early age, Calek was recognised for his extraordinary creativity and magnetic charisma, qualities that would shape his future as a transformative figure in Jewish music and education.

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Calek’s journey in music and education began as a young student at Gateshead Yeshiva in the 1960s. His passion for the arts became evident as he organized choirs and theatrical productions, captivating audiences with imaginative retellings of biblical stories. His innovative approach breathed new life into these narratives, making them accessible and engaging for a post-Holocaust generation yearning for connection and inspiration.

Internationally renowned for the songs he composed and the boys’ choirs he nurtured, Calek was fundamentally an educator who infused fervor and aspiration into Jewish life. Rather than adhering to conventional disciplinary roles, he gathered students around a piano, creating an atmosphere of musical excitement and joy. His first recording at North West London Jewish Day School, aptly titled “Et Lashir” (A Time to Sing), encapsulated his mission to inspire a generation that had been distanced from outwardly expressive religious fervour and passion.

Calek’s innovative spirit revolutionized Jewish music, traditionally dominated by chazanut, klezmer, and choral genres. He composed original melodies that brought to life long-dormant biblical tales, organising ensembles of young boys in vibrant uniforms who performed harmonies and choreography that enhanced the meaning of each song. This groundbreaking approach resonated profoundly within the conservative Anglo-Jewish community, offering a fresh perspective on Jewish music.

A deeply religious man, Calek’s raison d'être was to foster a love for Torah and Jewish traditions among his students and audiences worldwide. He created an inclusive environment, training boys from diverse backgrounds — ranging from non-observant to Charedi families — into a unified choir that reflected the richness of the Jewish experience. His repertoire included songs with English lyrics, like “Children of Silence,” which highlighted the plight of incarcerated Jews in Soviet Russia during the 1970s, as well as Chassidic nigunim and modern Israeli tunes.

When, in 1970, Calek founded the London School of Jewish Song choir, it was considered a pioneer in the genre of Jewish music. Its debut album, Ma Navu, contained 14 songs, most of which he had composed. They included "Sali Umetzudasi", "Al Zeh Hayah Daveh Libeinu", "Shimu Malachim", "Hamavdil", "Ki Heim Chayeinu" and "Yevanim".

The choir released a second album, Barchi Nafshi, in 1971, which featured such hits as Mar'eh Kohen, Darkecha Eloikeinu[ and Ein Meilitz Yosher. Its third album, Ashira Lashem, was released in 1973 with the Neginah Orchestra, from which included the outstanding hits, Ashira Lashem, Yadav Shel Moshe, Pedei and Chamol.

A seminal moment came in 1974, when Calek visited Israel and founded the Jerusalem Choir in Bnei Brak. Together they released the album Jerusalem Choir - Yad Bzemer, which included Kol Berama, Vaamartem and Hinei Ma Toiv , the most acclaimed songs by Yossi Green, who was then an 18-year-old yeshiva student. After a few months Calek returned to London and the choir disbanded. It was re-established a few years later by Hanan Avital in a different format.

IN 1978, After six albums from the London School of Jewish Song, Calek closed the choir and took a temporary break from musical activity, until 1988, when he and the choir jointly released the album The Return of The London School of Jewish Music. In 1991, the choir produced the album The London School of Jewish Song. In 1997, the choir released its ninth and last album V'nisa Bracha. The choir continued to perform for another three years until 1999, when it closed.

Calek’s concerts spanned continents, drawing thousands of attendees to theatres and concert halls. His performances provided a sense of renewal and inspiration to a Jewish world eager for reinvigorated Jewish life and a feeling of familiarity and comfort in the aftermath of historical trauma. Emerging alongside notable figures such as Chassidic singer Shlomo Carlebach, Calek’s numerous recordings introduced original compositions that transcended traditional liturgy, making deep emotional expressions of Jewish life accessible to all.

His contributions to Jewish music are timeless, with compositions like “Ashira,” “Ko Amar,” “Chamol,” “B’ein Meilitz,” “Emes ma Ne’edar,” and “Lma’an Achai” becoming staples in countless Jewish households, enhancing the joy of Yom Tov celebrations and family simchas.

Named Yigal Yisrael ben Aharon Hakohen during the Holocaust, Calek embodied a charismatic presence that united Jews through the power of soulful song, evoking a palpable yearning for peoplehood, unity and geula (redemption).

As a former soloist with the London School of Jewish Song, I can attest that my own career path in informal education and my commitment to embrace all Jews quite possibly stem from my formative years with Yigal Calek. The courage to step onto the stage as a positive disruptor, instilling a sense of unity and positivity, is a legacy I carry forward, deeply influenced by his vision.

Yigal Calek’s life and work have left an indelible mark on the Jewish community worldwide, inspiring countless individuals to enhance their heritage through song and music. His devotion to fostering a sense of belonging and intentional passion for Jewish life will continue to resonate for generations to come. As we remember Yigal, we celebrate not just his musical genius but his profound impact on the hearts and souls of those he touched, a true maestro who harmonised the diverse threads of Jewish identity into a beautiful tapestry of song and community.

Rabbi Naftali Schiff, Chief Executive
Jewish Futures

Yigal Calek: born May 28, 1944. Died October 21, 2024